For the third straight Sunday the Connecticut Post has published enterprise stories on the front page revisiting Joe Ganim’s felonious credentials, highlighting state Republicans privately rooting for a Ganim win to convert him into the poster child of corruption and now raising questions about the amount of cash his campaign has accepted, albeit legal up to $100 per person. Mayor Bill Finch, out of a job in five weeks, must be aghast, “Where were these stories during the primary?” Problem for Finch was he had his own baggage with voters that Ganim adroitly wooed his way. Finch is now actively supporting Mary-Jane Foster.
As the former mayor seeks history to regain the job he was forced out of in April of 2003, do these stories resonate with voters? Are Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters viewing these stories as a wake-up for the Nov. 3 vote? Or has Ganim’s mighty retail operation persuaded enough voters he won’t put them through another corruption saga?
From the Post:
Call it the cash-and-carry mayoral election of 2015.
In his quest for a return to the job he once disgraced with a federal prison sentence, Democrat Joe Ganim has raised more in cold, hard cash than his Republican opponent, Enrique Torres, has collected in total.
It’s about a third of independent Democrat Mary-Jane Foster’s entire war chest so far, a Hearst Connecticut Media analysis shows.
Full story here.
The CT Post needs to change its masthead from Newspaper to rumor monger extremely biased blog speculation conspiracy theory kindling fodder.
Jennifer, well said!
That level of cash contributions would raise eyebrows anytime, anywhere in this state.
When I worked for Chase Bank, a meeting was held about attracting more checking account customers. It can be very expensive for low-income people to open a bank account. While I agree, the % of cash to Ganim would trigger investigation, I would imagine for the first time low-income people are reaching deep into their pockets to support their choice of candidate. I disagree with their choice, of course, but support their right to do so.
dollarsandsense.org/archives/2015/0115barr-figart.html
Is it just me who finds it very telling former Republican Senator Chris Shays donated to the candidacy of Mary-Jane Foster and not to Republican Rick Torres?
Did you happen to receive the letter of support for Torres from Shays asking for both votes and donations? Happy to send you a copy if you were not on his list. Foster opened her home and wallet many times over the years to Shays when he was an elected official and needed to raise several thousand dollars in an evening. What makes you think he has not written a larger check to Torres?
Jennifer, Chris Shays could have made a donation to both candidates but he didn’t. So what does that say?
How do you know he did not make a contribution to both? Are you the Torres treasurer or Shays’ bookkeeper?
Jennifer, then you tell us. You are a Republican and you would think the Republican Party would be proud to inform the public of Chris Shays’ donation to Rick Torres if one were made.
Jennifer, it would not take more than six minutes at city hall to find out!
To your point Steven, the Post is pro-Foster and are slanting every article anti-Torres and Ganim. Please, go to city hall and see for yourself.
What’s with you, Mr. Mackey? Do all Republicans look alike to you?
DB, what seems to be your problem? To your question, in this era all Republicans are the same in their core values, Chris Shays was different for most of his time in congress until his later years when his positions move towards the right wing of the party, then he had to go. I can say this about Chris Shays, whenever there was a special program at Mt. Aery Baptist Church about black history, a lot of times Shays would attend by himself not looking for any attention.
Ron,
You demand answers from everyone. When you’re told to go to Harborview Market and ask Rick Torres, you demur by changing the subject. If I engaged in the sort of race-baiting you do, everyone and his mama would be calling me a bigot.
Stop daring others to knock the chip off your shoulder.
DB, excuse me? I’m a grown-ass man and you said I was “told” you must be out of your mind. I don’t need to talk to Rick Torres, for what, he needs votes.
Jennifer, I beg to differ. Ganim has been making front-page news for weeks. It doesn’t matter what they are saying as long as they are talking about him. They print MJF having jury duty and Torres gets full front-page exposure asking Foster to step down and yet when you continue reading the story there is a pic of Ganim. The CT Post is definitely getting ready to endorse Foster but let’s be honest, Joe Ganim has controlled the media, both print and Channel 12. I do not even think he has mentioned Mary-Jane Foster once. That is part of his brilliant strategy.
Yellow journalism at its worst! Who reads that rag anymore?
Obviously, Lennie.
Finch raised over $1.6 million during three campaigns and not a squeak from the Post Peeps!
Good point. Great point.
Because Mayor Finch was not convicted of 16 counts of corruption and didn’t lie under oath and didn’t betray the public trust. People do not scrutinize honest mayors. Mario Testa himself said Finch was squeaky clean. Let’s face it, the Post is going to endorse Mary-Jane Foster as the hope for Bridgeport’s future.
Stevie, The Post is just like your endorsements, it’s called the kiss of death!
The CT Post has the same batting record as you, 0 for 4, soon to be 0 for 5. Which my I add spells O-F-F!
Jim Fox, I am a campaign worker and I definitely bring votes. I work on campaigns. I do not run them. If I did, Finch would be the number-one Democrat on the ballot. My endorsement the kiss of death? I do not endorse. I work and I deliver. Sometimes more than the candidate. Nobody on any campaign I have ever worked would ever accuse me of being the kiss of death. Not so ironic, it is always the opposition when they feel their lead dwindling. There are people who get paid to make decisions. I am not one of them. But yet every time I blink, someone is asking something from me. Jim Fox, does anybody ever ask anything of you?
Steve, of course we ask him. Right now, I’m asking him what drugs he’s on, and where can I get some.
Yes, my wife, every time I open my wallet!
Booty, elephant tranquilizer!
LOLOLOL.
Hey Steve,
Are you free to walk into Foster HQ or do they buzz you in?
This is for you, Steven. Just posted it on my public Facebook page.
After conducting a thorough review of the candidates for City Council in my district, I’m endorsing John and Tyisha for Bridgeport City Council 130th–10F and 10E. We deserve Toms and Lee on our City Council. They bring the expertise and independence to make the Council a stronger and more independent legislative body that provides intelligent, rigorous oversight of the next mayor. This is NOT a Black Rock popularity contest. We must elect representatives who are dedicated, savvy, and fearless fiscal watchdogs who can deal with operating, capital, grant budgets and be a real check on the administration.
It IS a popularity contest. Politics is a popularity contest. If your candidate doesn’t care about their popularity, then they don’t care about actually getting elected.
Popularity without substance is what has ruined this city.
Popularity for its own sake? Popularity because you coach young athletes or have assisted a neighborhood group with governance issues? Popularity because you have one or more relatives who work for the City currently and whose career progress may be affected by new people in office? Popularity because you have knowledge of City governance process better than other candidates for the office of City Council, will respectfully ask questions and expect answers of those with City information, and preach and guide better City governance and process towards OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT and HONEST values? Time will tell.
Jennifer–it’s nice to be back in agreement with you on something, at long last.
Whew! And I am glad you are on board with JML and Toms.
Jennifer, thank you for addressing me in that post. I am certain Tyisha and JML are extremely grateful as you are a very well respected Black Rocker!
Thank you Jennifer–much appreciated! ~Tyisha
He wasn’t convicted YET.
More lies from the ballsy one.
Steve, and what good did that endorsement do Finch? The CT Post no longer reports. With the exception of a couple of reporters (Mike Daly and Mike) it’s gone to newspaper hell. However, I’m sure your correct, they will endorse MJF.
Lisa, of course they will. Last time made it clear oseph Ganim was not a consideration for endorsement. Independents and Republicans will vote accordingly if they know where line G is located! 🙂
Well let’s be honest, East End residents on govt assistance and no checking accounts feel so strongly in support of Joe Ganim, they would give him cash while their families suffer. Does anyone with half a brain believe Steelpointe residents are giving Ganim a dollar? They may be giving Ganim a dollar and the paperwork says 50 if you catch my drift. Dirty money corrupts politics. The second going of Ganim!
I do think it is sad the ask was made, and taken by Ganim from those in such need. However, I give the people great credit for putting their $$ where their hearts are. Turning down contributions is tricky, but with Joe’s history it would make me feel better if he accepted volunteer time over cash. Making phone calls, passing out flyers to neighbors, most people can find an hour a week to do this, which can be far more valuable than $50 dollars.
Steve, yes many people don’t have checking accounts. I have numerous family members who only use cash. They either can’t or don’t know how to use a checkbook.
Advanced Therapy, of course I do not question that!
The majority of neighborhoods in Bridgeport have residents who do not have checking accounts and pay for everything in cash or money orders, unlike Black Rock. This election will be won by those individuals, not the out-of-town money and negative ads. The ads only increase the vote for Joe Ganim. Whether you donate $1,000 or $10, you have only one vote and in most cases the person who donated $1,000 does not live in Bridgeport.
And only a fool would give $10 in cash to Ganim.
I understand the Connecticut Post is knocking on doors in very poor neighborhoods to verify contributions. What a horrible front-page ending to a redemption story. Headline: Shit Still Happens For Ganim!
I wonder how much of that money Ganim spent on gift cards?
You did not understand my post. Many of the neighborhoods in Bridgeport do not have checking accounts North End, South End, West End and the East End. If cash is given, it is still recorded on the donation form. If a someone wants to vote for the candidate of their choice, it does not make that person a fool.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s be honest here with all the insults going back and forth. Especially to those of us who proudly post using our names. Whether you read Lennie’s blog and post or just read for entertainment, let’s all agree everybody on this blog has already picked a candidate. Ganim and Torres posting on Facebook to respond to a poll is silly. We have all picked our candidates long ago. There is only one exception, donj is the only poster who posts he still has not made up his mind in every election cycle. His confrontation with Ron Mackey is always expected. We should all be a little less abrasive. Not one camp is going to get one more vote. We all know where every poster stands. We do know most Ganim supporters do not read the paper so we need to take the message to the streets. Let’s hope for sunshine and a huge turnout. A huge turnout will be Joe Ganim’s biggest nightmare!
Really? Our phone calls to unaffiliated voters tells a far different story, and this time people are staying on the phones and engaging with our team.
Jennifer, number one I was referring to.the people posting on this blog. We all have a candidate except Donj. Most calls people have already decided..
Oops–gotta stop speed reading!
You never miss an opportunity to cast aspersions on the black community, don’t you? “East End residents on govt assistance and no checking accounts feel so strongly in support of Joe Ganim, they would give him cash while their families suffer. Does anyone with half a brain believe Steelpointe residents are giving Ganim a dollar?”
Most of the people of the East End are not on welfare or gov. assistance and have the means to donate to any campaign they wish. Steel Point residents, East End and East Side have the means to donate to a campaign without the need for lying about what and how much they donate. Finally, because Ganim is supported by the black and Latino communities, they are somehow too uneducated to read the damned newspaper?!
Your demeaning, anti-black posts are an affront to all that is decent and moral.
Quack-quack-quack, Mr. Day. Enough with the race-baiting. Nether of you is completely in the right.
DB, it’s called the truth but you’re not black so you can’t understand but who cares because you don’t matter.
This is an important election for ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT, not just 30% of the population. Rick Torres has the practical plans to make it better for everyone. You’re so focused on a narrow set of issues you can’t see that. “Help my people and fuck everyone else” is your message, Ron. That’s just wrong, plain wrong.
Race baiting Derek, are you kidding me? You seem to throw that around anytime you don’t understand what blacks finds offensive and one can safely assume that comes from your background and from your upbringing.
Is it that white privilege prevents you from being empathetic about stereotypes about blacks and certain communities in Bridgeport? Ask ya boy Ricky if what was said was demeaning to blacks and Latinos. Oh by the way, Quack this.
Donald Day, I am not certain who you were responding to. Let’s just say you do not live in Bridgeport. You did not deliver for Foster in the Primary and you cannot help Ganim now. One day you’re fighting for the poor and indigent in the East End and then you are claiming they are well to do, you really are not too bright. I don’t think anyone on this blog mentioned the color of any person’s skin or nationality. It is always you being a racist. It is absolutely laughable. No matter what the topic, it is about black people. Are you at all involved with your community in Stratford or do you just like to drive your BMW through Stratford Avenue and the well-to-do communities looking for Ganim support and a few dollars because Joe Ganim offers them a bright future?
The chip on your shoulder is the size of the asteroid that may hit earth this Halloween. Aren’t you tired of picking racist fights with the wrong people?
But it was not silly of Foster to post on Facebook to vote on the OIB poll? Please don’t tell me it’s “sore loser” syndrome once again. Sorry, could not help it–and once again you did tee it up for me.
Wait, that was to Auerbach, addressing the silly to post comment.
I think it is absolutely ridiculous, I do not vote in these polls. They are silly. To waste Facebook for this is just absurd! Jennifer, there is one week left to go. I respect your support for your candidate and all his signs on public property. I respect the Ganim campaign and all their signs on public property. I find it sad Foster signs on private property have been stolen. Does it matter? Nah–signs do not vote!
.
Ganim is losing traction. His populist appeal peaked a day or two after the primary. Voters have had more than enough time to give consideration to the consequences of electing a criminal. Face facts: Joseph P. Ganim is a felon who was disbarred for lying about his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy.
Mary-Jane Foster’s campaign has not been able shift upward from first gear. More facts: she lost the primary with a measly 9% of the vote, couldn’t even carry her own neighborhood. We all know her over here. While she is pleasant and (somewhat) personable, the general consensus is Ms. Foster simply lacks the temperament to take on the machine. She must have realized it and threw her lot with the Finch-Stafstrom combine.
The News12 debate showed them both to be long on evasiveness and short on substance. Don’t expect anything different from either of these two at today’s debate. Ganim simply needs a job. The world needs plenty of bartenders but he doesn’t have the requisite skills so he’s running for mayor of Bridgeport. Foster is running for ego gratification and another employment listing on her resume.
I tell you this, Rick Torres is losing big-time right now and the election hasn’t even started.
Rick Torres won big-time tonight. His support crosses ethnic lines. You’d see that if you weren’t expecting the world to give you something just because you’re here.
Torres is running because he is tired of running a coffee shop and wants a real job.
So people who cannot afford a checking account are giving $100+ donations to Joe. Yeah. I believe that one.
Yes, Bob.
$25.00 is a more realistic figure. Isn’t it?
I thought the affair at the German club truly reflected the economic diversity that makes up the Ganim campaign contribution pool.
Maybe the law should be any aggregate donation of $50 or more in cash must be authenticated with photo id.
Then Ganim supporters would be saying they cannot afford checking accounts and cannot afford drivers licenses.
Which gets us back to the big question, where is the cash coming from?
Is Lennie blogging live from the debate? Anyone?
Wow! Huge news! The Ganim Campaign keeps track of $26,000 in small, cash contributions and it’s news?! A campaign under federal, state, and private microscopes SCRUPULOUSLY REPORTS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, AND IT’S NEWS?! Now, the cash realized by all of the campaigns from hundreds of thousands of dollars in checks and credit-card contributions could never wind up on the street. Right?
How do your spell Connecticut Post (new spelling since it was taken over by the Hearst Corporation)–S-T-U-P-I-D.
All the things the public really needs to know, and they spend valuable time and space on a “tail-chasing,” no-news article.
(I made a cash contribution to the Ganim Campaign–maybe the Post will get the FBI to shake down a Ganim Campaign worker so they’ll have to empty out their pockets and submit their “street cash” for fingerprint and DNA testing to find out if it’s Ganim Street Money. Maybe my money became street money?! Maybe they can shake down a few voters similarly on Election Day. The news coverage of this election has become sitcom and cartoon stuff.)
Only in Bridgeport.
The debate at the Klein wash a wash. Enrique Torres received the warmest and strongest responses. Ganim came across as smug and self-consciously confident but it is obvious the election is slipping away. Foster was out of sorts, called out on her bullshit by none other than Charlie Coviello. David Daniels was warm and congenial as always, but like Chris Taylor, was severely lacking in knowledge and the facts of the taxation methods of Bridgeport City Hall. Taylor and Tony Barr provided comic relief.
Tonight’s debate was a game changer. Foster and Ganim were both called out on their bullshit. Mary-Jane was actually booed at the end. Ganim was asked, by Foster, why the people of the city of Bridgeport should trust him again after he had been convicted of pimping them and he couldn’t give a decent answer. If he wins the election it will not be by honest means.
For me, the most telling statement Ganim made was when he talked about how in the next eight days expect to hear terrible things about him made up by and exaggerated by others. Then I pretty much stopped hearing English from him, pretty sure it was a language called Mumbojumbo.
Isn’t this the same message he gave over and over not too many years ago?
Jennifer, Ganim is Brilliant, it works so keep telling the same story!