It will get worse before it gets better for SuBy. More from John Lender, Hartford Courant:
The fact that Democratic Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz may be approaching the end of an extraordinary court ordeal — with Tuesday scheduled for final arguments in the trial in her suit to be declared eligible to run for state attorney general — hardly means that her legal and political troubles will end soon.
Here are three more potential concerns:
• The possibility of having to give more sworn testimony, this time in an investigation of her office by the current attorney general.
• The lingering question of why her taxpayer-funded “constituent database” of 36,000 names identifies 2,500 Democratic convention delegates, but no Republican delegates.
• And the new question of why the database also contains a special category headed “holiday card,” with about 5,400 names noted. Bysiewicz says that this wasn’t used to send holiday cards, and that the 5,400 people had sent cards to her office. But about 170 people told The Courant they never sent her a card — and got a card or cards from her.
More Testimony?
Although Bysiewicz’s at-times-uncomfortable testimony has ended in the trial, she soon may be answering questions under oath again.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s office has quietly continued its probe of a citizen’s complaint that Bysiewicz misused the database for political advantage. She says she’s only used it for legitimate duties during her 11 years in office.
Blumenthal told The Courant Friday that she will be interviewed “if there are questions that are appropriate and necessary for her to answer — as is likely.” He added: “Generally our interviews are conducted under oath,” though not always.
Why Only Dems?
Meanwhile, a significant question concerning the database, potentially relating to whether Bysiewicz used taxpayer-funded resources for political purposes, remains largely unanswered a month after it came up.
A March 14 Government Watch column noted that Bysiewicz’s 36,000-name database identifies 2,500 people who served as delegates to Democratic Party nominating conventions in recent years — people who could be useful to her at this year’s May 21-22 convention, since many delegates carry over to the next convention. The number of Republican delegates identified in the database is zero.
*** Suby’s “free …, free fallen” from the pan into the fire if not careful & also depending just how bad the acting “AG” wishes to pursue the elections list and “$” allegations in question? This unfolding debacle may not be in her best “political career” interest, after all is said & done. *** And as for her present suit brought against the state to see if she’s qualified to run; “FORGETABOUTIT!” ***
SuBy has also, in many cases, had her list broken down according to religion.
*** While on the subject (SuBy), who like many others wishes to make politics a “lifetime” career job! Should 8 year terms be the “longest” any person can stay in a “political” office seat? Regardless of whether they’re 2-year or 4-year terms, 8 would be the “limit” unless the individual runs as an independent “write-in” candidate & wins. You figure that after 8 years in political office, they must have achieved something positive for their constituents & representing district before a change is made. It would keep many from getting too comfortable, too money & power hungry by staying in office much too long! Examples, Dodd & Lieberman just to name a couple from right here in Conn. Political change can be “good” for the voters, both major parties and independents as well. It certainly is worth trying, after the way things have been going in general with some of these long-term politicians! ***