That’s what this story by CT Post scribe Neil Vigdor suggests.
Should the once-imprisoned mayor of Connecticut’s largest city complete his improbable comeback in the November election, Republicans are expected to make Ganim the fall guy of their political narrative statewide for years to come.
The idea being: Who better to highlight the dysfunction in the cities and at the state level under majority Democrats? Such speculation is spawning allegations of a GOP shadow campaign in support of Ganim, who bested mayoral incumbent Bill Finch last month in Bridgeport’s Democratic primary. Ganim is being opposed by “independent Democrat” Mary-Jane Foster and Republican City Councilman Enrique Torres in the general election.
Foster’s campaign manager, Tom Swan, said the strategy of Republicans is not to win, but to siphon off votes from Foster.
“It’s a cynical ploy to prop up Rick’s campaign in order to make sure that Ganim stands a better chance to win, and then they can hang Ganim around Democrats’ necks around the state,” Swan said.
Full story here.
Perfect. Only post the Foster campaign quote and not the Republican reply, “Joe Ganim is going to get elected because of the Democrat machine in Bridgeport, not because of Rick Torres,” Romano said. “They created this problem, not us. Why is Tom Swan spewing venom at us?”
Foster certainly did not like it when in the primary going door to door Joe’s supporters said if you cannot vote for Joe, Please vote for Foster, anyone but Finch because it was twisted, very publicly into Foster is running a shadow campaign to support Joe.
Well you Democrats got your wish, anyone but Finch.
And honestly, with the history of Governor Rowland, does any critically thinking person really believe the Republicans living in glass houses are going to throw that stone at Joe and Bridgeport?
It is a great way to sell papers and keep the facts and issues out of the mayor’s race, that’s for sure.
Jennifer, you know it was only Maria who said that and not Joe’s SUPPORTERS. C’MON Jen.
Actually, I do not know it was only Maria, she was the person on this blog who said it was her tactic. Do you know it was only Maria? I did not go door to door for Joe with his other supporters and they are not all writing on this blog. I do know it got under Foster’s skin enough she confronted Chris Meyer about it, in public in a very loud dressing-down of Joe to Chris.
Jennifer Buchanan // Oct 18, 2015 at 3:00 pm
To your post
Jennifer,
You can accept as fact the ONLY person engaging in this procedure is one individual. Not wise or healthy behavior.
The political conspiracy theories are getting weirder by the day. It’s clear, or should be, Joe Ganim will be the winner of this election. This accomplishment will happen because a few politicians believed in him early this year, and his supporters grew. In addition, I have never seen a candidate for any office work as hard as him. The majority of voters in the City will bring him over the top and they won’t be disappointed as time goes on. He ran a hard, clean, professional campaign, and he was engaged in every aspect of it. It’s almost over and there’s no magic bullet that’s going to change the outcome. As he brings about improvements in our City so will go the State. If the Democrats want to enjoy their incumbency, they’d better shift their focus to their own State party and leave the Republicans to their own devices.
You are seriously delusional, Lisa.
Whatever, BK!
Lisa, you honestly believe Ganim has been getting more support since the primary? Seriously? Joe may in fact win the election. Certainly not because anyone believes he is the better candidate, but because of his successful campaign of treating the other candidates as invisible. I think if you are a Democrat, independent or a Republican, you will ultimately vote for Foster unless you can not explain row G, independent and Democrat. She is the only woman running and she has her own agenda. Calling her Finch in a dress is laughable. Finch is a lot more popular than you can imagine and the public still need to know he is her biggest supporter. She is a Democrat. It is her election to lose and Rick Torres is a non issue. Finch and Foster need to lock down Black Rock.
Delusions of paranoia are a sign of a serious psychological disorder. The Torres kool-aid drinkers are seriously in that group–all of them. Every single one of ’em Ganim will win by a landslide, because he ran a professional and fair campaign. Did no mudslinging. Torres knows NOTHING BUT blaming everyone else for every ill. That is all he has ever done. In life and as councilperson, he’s a wa wa wa wiiiner.
I have never seen a candidate work harder to be in office than Joe and he’ll do it in spades.
I would like to know what happened to responsible journalism. There should never be a headline that has the word Whisper in it … especially when there are no facts submitted to back it up.
Okay. Here is the best reason yet to vote for the honorable Mayor Enrique “Rick” Torres. To stop the state Republican party from having Ganim as a fall guy to swing the state to the Republicans. Okay, I am with that. A vote for Torres is a vote for Bridgeport residents, by Bridgeport residents. First. First place is on the second line this year!
Actually, not much of a reason. I am glad to see the CT Post, spokes-mouth of the Bridgeport Regional Business council, where Finch always kept a doormat, is recognizing Torres is the most likely candidate to win this race. That is really great news actually. None of you residents will be disappointed with an honest broker in government. Vote the second line for first place.
You’re throwing away your vote to vote for Torres. Literally as if you never voted. It’s tragic and so Black Rock. He’ll lose and they’ll sit there at that little market with their heads hung low, like a funeral, for days after Ganim wins. Shaking their heads in disbelief and loudly saying it was stolen absentee ballots, yeah that’s the ticket that’s what it must have been, yeah. Not that Torres is just a loser.
This theory is laughable and a distraction by a desperate campaign manager. Swan needs to recognize the fact Mary-Jane’s primary campaign had embarrassing results. Nine percent of the vote and a loss in Black Rock! It’s time to get serious and vote for the person who gives us the best chance for real change and a better future. We can focus on the state-wide races starting in 2017. People will be ready for real change in the state for sure by then. For now, it’s about Bridgeport.
Mr. Walker, this state could use your talents in any way you can provide them. I hope you enjoy the down and dirty battle that has become Connecticut politics from the major parties and don’t decide to leave for fresh air somewhere else.
Well, that was answered by the Republican membership in their primary and the Republican voters said no thanks Mr. Walker.
Ditto!
Dave, the fact Mayor Finch won Black Rock over Ganim shows now Foster needs to get all the Finch votes. Campaign workers already know Republicans are supporting Foster. Her results were embarrassing. That was a poorly run campaign. She was ill-advised daily. This is a new day. She has two campaigns fused together. Bill Finch is her biggest supporter. People need to see her and Finch together. Foster support has been multiplying daily. The Ganim redemption story has become a bore. Rick Torres is a very nice gentlemen, like Charlie Coviello, their running for Mayor every four years has become the norm. Mary-Jane Foster is a political outsider with a lot of inside support. She is respected within and outside of Bridgeport. Everyone knows the politicians are all embarrassed by Ganim. He will be shunned and Bridgeport will miss a lot of opportunities. Let’s face it, Democrats 10 to 1 Foster is the honest choice for change. Democrats will notsupport Torres. Moran will remain the last Republican Mayor elected to office. David Walker, what is laughable is your comment about Foster. Was it because she did not support you over Malloy? I have to agree with Ron Mackey here on Torres. A Cuban speaking Spanish on East Main Street is a plus, but Cuban Republicans are not the same as Hispanic Democrats in Bridgeport.
To the one-time campaigner–And just how many past campaigns have you so astutely commented upon?
A vote for Torres is a vote for Bridgeport residents, by Bridgeport residents. First. First place is on the second line this year!
Vote the second line for first place!
Not a chance. Rick can take his black power tattoo and his power to the people statement and stick them.
Thank you sir, well said.
It’s the poor people. They are soooooo overtaxed. Let’s take away the taxes for people who never pay them. That’s right, black power. Social injustices. I think I smell weed.
Laugh Out Loud. 😀
This is just speculation, smear info planted by Tom Swan to counteract the negativity Foster’s campaign has been receiving here and other media outlets. The Tea Party may be a bunch of angry, embittered and petty suburbanites but they never gained much traction here. The Connecticut GOP is much more moderate and would never put political considerations over the common good.
This is just horseshit, full of weeds and seeds, plain and simple.
The Connecticut Post is just setting itself up to endorse Mary-Jane Foster.
Bridgeport Kid, Mayor Finch and Mary-Jane Foster were considered for the endorsement. It would be outrageous if they did not support Foster. One thing is certain. There is not one Newspaper that will support Ganim. I believe the Connecticut Post will ask the city to stand behind Mary-Jane Foster, Row G for the future of our city!
If Foster is such a good choice, why was she not endorsed for the primary? Before the primary you yourself didn’t have anything positive to say about her. Now you’re a qualified supporter. Why the sudden change of heart? Did she offer you a job, tell you where the campaign headquarters is located?
If there is anyone on this blog who can recognize horseshit, cow shit and most definitely BULLSHIT.
Andy,
Does your anus ever become jealous of the shit that comes out of your mouth?
That one is so old the last time I heard it I rolled over in my crib and shit.
Park City too, what is you real name? Rick Torres?
No, do you think I should be running? I am trying to help get him elected, because he is a clean candidate with true vision for the residents of Bridgeport first. He would be the first Latino mayor of Bridgeport and has a very solid chance of winning this election. All the best. Torres for the people.
Interesting story in this morning’s Post about the State Democratic Party accepting donations from prohibited from contributing to statewide and general assembly election campaigns and then misusing the money in a gubernatorial race. Wasn’t so long ago a former mayor and a former assemblyman from Bridgeport were convicted of doing more or less the same thing.
When Torres loses by a landslide what will all the pro-Torres is Jesus reincarnated followers do? Does it involve sneakers and white outfits and going to Mars to start a real world where people can leave their burned-out buses in parking lots for 10 years and not have them called blight? Where people can leave their front doors unlocked and claim headquarters political rigged robbery when nothing was taken or touched? But the media was there to hear the scheme of paranoia alright. There’s a spaceship out there with your names on it. It’s called “Delusion” and it runs on fake absentee ballots and shitty coffee.
Spoken like a true Ganim supporter, like a goon from a mobbed-up union.
Its finally happened. This blog has become an actual shit storm.
Better a shit storm than a staf strom, or something like that.