NORFOLK — Could consumer activist and Winsted native Ralph Nader pitch a run as Connecticut’s next freshman senator?
The answer: Maybe.
When asked if he is considering running for the U.S. Senate as a candidate in 2010, Nader told a book discussion group gathered at the Norfolk Public Library on Nov. 28: "We’ll see." Nader, who has been on tour promoting his book "Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!" said he has been getting a lot of feedback from Connecticut residents, activists and party members about a possible bid to unseat sitting U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd next year.
But in commenting about a possible senate run, Nader characterized the U.S. Senate’s format — specifically the hold of a super majority — as "restricting."
"(The senate) is paralyzing an already paralyzed government," the former 2000 and 2004 presidential candidate told the local residents packed in the library’s Great Room. Nader commented that bills sent over from the U.S. House often "die" in the U.S. Senate.
In an interview with The Register Citizen, Nader said Connecticut is fortunate to have the ability to allow multiple parties to sponsor a candidate. Recently the state’s Green Party has encouraged Nader to run, and if he decides to do so, Nader could be cross-endorsed by other minor parties.
"We want to help all of the small parties," Nader said. "Help them in the future to provide more competition."
He has described the current two-party system as having a hold on national politics. It remains to be seen whether Nader would decide to run independently or under a party endorsement.
But Nader declined to comment on his chances on winning a senate seat — against Dodd and whomever Republican hopeful gets the nod next year.
"I’m nowhere near to even being able to answer that question," he said, saying it was too early to tell.
The current political mood in the state at this point is very "anti-incumbent, I’m told," Nader said. In speaking about Dodd, he invoked Linda McMahon, a Republican vying for the spot, who was a former chief executive for World Wrestling Entertainment.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll shows McMahon leading Dodd 43 percent to 41 percent in a hypothetical match-up.

A Quinnipiac University Poll released Nov. 12 showed 54 percent of voters disapprove of the job that Dodd is doing, up from 49 percent in September. The same survey showed the five-term incumbent Democrat particularly vulnerable among unaffiliated voters, the largest voting bloc in an otherwise Democratic-leaning state.
More than 100 people turned out to hear Nader talk in West Hartford, including some Green Party members who held signs that read, "Run Ralph Run!" The state’s Green Party has been stepping up efforts to encourage Nader to get into the race, saying this marks one of the best opportunities for the Greens to win a senate seat. Tim McKee, a Green Party spokesman in Connecticut, told the Associated Press Dodd’s low poll numbers give his party one of their best opportunities. Nader would not be a spoiler — something he was accused of in the 2000 presidential election, McKee said.
"A lot of Democrats would be upset about the prospect (of Nader entering the race). But we look at it as (he’s) already lost the seat," McKee told the AP.
In the 2000 presidential election, Nader ran as the Green Party’s candidate and got 2.7 percent of the vote. Nader told The Register Citizen that state residents want to see a senator who does "the right thing," specifically with senate banking legislation. Dodd, the state’s five-term senior senator, is the Senate Banking Committee Chairman and is responsible for much legislation passed by the committee.

Some eyebrows were raised yesterday when state Sen. Sam Caligiuri made the formal announcement that he was dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate and switching to the race for the 5th District House seat, and that popular Northwest Connecticut state Sen. Andrew Roraback was endorsing him.

Caligiuri is the standard-bearer of the Republican party's far right-wing in Connecticut, and the moderate Roraback is on the opposite end of that spectrum.

In an article in today's Register Citizen, Roraback acknowledges that point and says that Caligiuri has his support because he is a close friend who has shown integrity over their years together in the state Senate.

On the heels of state Sen. Sam Caligiuri's switch from the U.S. Senate race to the race for the Republican nomination for the 5th District U.S. House seat currently held by Democratic Congressman Chris Murphy, the Hartford Courant reports today that former U.S. Ambassador Tom Foley is also considering dropping out of the Senate race.

After Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell's surprise announcement that she won't seek re-election, Foley is considering moving over to the race for governor.

The Courant describes him as an immediate frontrunner, in part due to the tremendous personal fortune and fundraising prowess he could bring to the race. Other Republicans who've expressed an interest in running for governor include House Minority Leader Larry Cafero, state Sen. John McKinney and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele.

WATERBURY, CT – State Senator Sam Caligiuri issued the following statement today on his entrance into the Fifth Congressional District campaign:

“Over the last eight months, I have devoted myself to running for the United States Senate because I believe that Chris Dodd has failed the people of Connecticut and that we need a Senator who will put the people of Connecticut first. I have been joined in that race by other Republican candidates for whom I have come to have a great deal of respect, and who I have concluded are in a better position than I am to defeat Senator Dodd. Therefore, I am withdrawing my candidacy for the United States Senate.

But my desire to serve the people of Connecticut and to fight to make life better for them is stronger than ever. And electing a new Senator is not the only change that we must make in order to achieve this goal. I have been deeply humbled by the outpouring of people who have urged me to run for Congress in the Fifth District and for the many citizens throughout Connecticut who have encouraged me to run for Governor. As I have listened to their arguments in favor of each position, I have asked myself where I believe I can make the greatest difference for the people of Connecticut. I have concluded that at this time I can best serve Connecticut as a Member of Congress. We will not be able to turn the Connecticut economy around with national policies that will result in higher taxes, bigger government, and a devastating large national debt. I want to go to Congress to reverse these trends so that Connecticut will be in a better position to grow jobs again. For these reasons, I am declaring my candidacy for Congress in Connecticut’s Fifth District.

While I may be running for a different office, the principles and the ideas that I had started to lay out in the Senate campaign remain true in the Congressional campaign. Our country is headed down the wrong path and we need leaders in Washington who are willing and able to stand up to pressure both from the left and the right to do what is right for the people. I said many times throughout my Senate campaign that Connecticut needs a Senator who is committed to reform, principled, and courageous enough to stand up to political pressure. We need these qualities in our Members of Congress as well, and Chris Murphy has failed us miserably in this regard.

Chris Murphy has shown that he is out of touch with the people of the Fifth District. His votes for public option health care, cap and trade, and the Wall Street bailouts demonstrate that he is far more interested in representing Nancy Pelosi than his own constituents. I look forward to running a campaign that is focused on these and the other issues that matter to the people of the Fifth District.

I will work tirelessly to earn the Republican nomination, the support of the people of the Fifth District, and the honor to serve as its next Congressman.”

Endorsements of Sam Caligiuri’s Candidacy for the 5^th Congressional District

State Senator Caligiuri begins his campaign with strong support from leaders throughout the Fifth District. These endorsements represent 31 of the 41 towns in the 5^th Congressional District.

State Senator Toni Boucher, 26^th District

State Senator John McKinney, 28^th District

State Senator Andrew Roraback, 30^th District

State Senator Kevin Witkos, 8^th District

This list represents four of the six State Senators in the 5^th District other than Senator Caligiuri.

Today, Connecticut GOP Chairman Chris Healy tipped his hand — he wants Sen. Sam Caligiuri to run against Chris Murphy.
"Over the last few weeks, State Senator Sam Caligiuri and I have discussed his candidacy for statewide office. After much thought and discussion with other leaders and activists, I have urged him to focus his energies on the Fifth Congressional district where I believe he would be a top candidate," Healy said.
In response to Chairman Healy’s call for Sen. Caligiuri to enter the Fifth Congressional district race, Caligiuri made the following statement:
"I want to thank Chairman Healy for his kind words and encouragement of my potential candidacy in the Fifth Congressional District. Over the last several days I have been exploring this option with Chairman Healy and other leaders in the party who have reached out to me in support of this move. My goal has always been to best serve the people of Connecticut by reviving our economy, reforming government, and restoring fiscal responsibility. Over the coming days, I will make a decision on how I can best continue to fight for those principles and serve the people of Connecticut."
But what happened to Justin Bernier? Bernier was endorsed already by Greg Cogswell, Torrington’s Republican Town Committee chair. Will this pit Republicans against Republicans? Old guard against tea party GOP?

TORRINGTON — Former Republican Gov. John G. Rowland is slated to come to Torrington in two weeks to pay a visit with the city’s Rotary Club.
Kevin Purcell, past president and spokesman for the Rotary, confirmed that Rowland will be the club’s guest on Nov. 24, during the club’s regular lunch. Rowland is expected to speak around 12:45 p.m., and the public is regularly welcome at that time.
Rowland served as the state’s governor for ten years, until his resignation in 2004 amidst a corruption probe. He eventually was convicted on corruption charges, leading him to serve time in federal prison.
In 2008 Rowland was hired by the city of Waterbury for an economic development position.
But his controversial past is not expected to be the subject of discussion when he speaks in front of the group at the Elk’s Lodge in two weeks.
"He’s coming to give a talk about his life after the train wreck," Purcell said.
Cynthia Oneglia, a Rotary member from Washington was the person who got Rowland to come to the city, Purcell said. She could not be reached for comment.
Purcell said he thinks the former governor’s visit should be "interesting."
"He always came to Torrington with a very positive outlook," Purcell said. "I would be bold enough to say he really embraced the Warner Theatre... and was a major player in getting funds for the Warner."
Rowland previously came to speak to the Rotary members in 1995, which Purcell joked was the "start" of his campaign for governor. He was hardly known at that point as a candidate when he met with the club, Purcell said.

By MARY E. O’LEARY
Special to The Register Citizen
It could have been mistaken for a political rally.
The man at the head of the room had a story about his immigrant father succeeding in America and his mother who came from the heartland. There was a shout-out to veterans in the room, and singing by a group of middle school children.
Booked months ago, the gathering of students, senior citizens and local dignitaries Tuesday was arranged by The Women’s Center at Gateway Community College, where almost 200 people squeezed into the largest room the small campus had to offer.
State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, one of the most recognized elected officials in the state, certainly one of the most familiar to newscasters, talked of health insurance denials he has reversed, poor treatment of returning veterans and child abuse cases his office handles.
"Ninety-five percent of the time we win without having to go to court. That’s because they’re wrong, and we’re right," he said of his battles with insurance companies, to the crowd’s murmurs of approval.
Blumenthal’s daily schedule is chock full of such appearances, press conferences, dinners and parades. Is this the time Blumenthal will take all that political capital and run for governor, now that Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell has announced she will not seek re-election, giving Democrats their first good shot at the top job in 18 years?
Blumenthal said no, he’s running for attorney general "because it is a job I love because it enables me to fight for people and make a difference. I have no plan to run for governor."
On the other hand, asked if he would run in 2012 for U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman’s seat, Blumenthal said: "It would be a challenge that I would welcome, if it were the right time to do it, and I thought I could make a difference. Stay tuned."
In the meantime, Blumenthal said he hoped Lieberman could be persuaded to support the health care package, including the public option, that just squeaked by in the House and now heads for a tougher battle in the U.S. Senate.
The Democratic Governors Association Tuesday said it is moving Connecticut to its top tier of targeted 2010 pickup races, in light of Rell’s decision.
Nathan Daschle, executive director of the group, said it will invest resources and "play offense" in Connecticut, where there is no clear successor to Rell.
A total of 37 gubernatorial races are on the ballot next year, and the association said it raised $11.6 million in the first six months of the year.
The Democratic field considering a run for governor has grown to five: Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy; Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz; former U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont; Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi; and state Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Hartford. Former House Speaker James A. Amann of Milford is the only announced candidate.

By ED STANNARD
Special to The Register Citizen
Workers who come down with swine flu — or whose children do — would get up to seven paid sick days if a bill introduced Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd becomes law.
Dodd announced the "emergency legislation" during a Capitol Hill hearing on H1N1.
"Families shouldn’t have to choose between staying healthy and making ends meet," said Dodd, D-Conn. "But if staying home means you don’t get paid, that’s an impossibility, especially for families struggling to make ends meet."
He said paid sick leave has been an issue of fairness, but now it’s a public health issue, too.
In his opening statement at the hearing, Dodd said, "Troublingly, more than three-quarters of food service and hotel workers do not have paid sick days. Child care, retail and nursing home workers are also less likely to have paid sick days.
"Some 80,000 school cafeteria workers cannot stay home when they are sick, and they come to work to serve approximately 10 million schoolchildren each day. This is simply dangerous."
Dodd said only 22 percent of low-income workers receive paid sick days, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Workers could use their sick time if they were ill or to care for a sick child or a child whose school or child-care center has been closed because of flu.
At least 10 schools have closed in Connecticut because of flu, including Guilford High School and East Haven Academy.
The size of businesses falling under the legislation has not been finalized, according to Dodd spokesman Bryan DeAnglelis, but it would be part of the pending Healthy Families Act. That bill would require businesses with 15 or more employees to give workers seven paid sick days per year, according to Connecticut Working Families. The bill would go into effect 15 days after being signed into law, and it would expire after two years.
Peter Gioia, vice president of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, called Dodd’s bill a "mandated one-size-fits-all" approach.
"What we’ve been telling companies is, if someone’s sick, they probably shouldn’t come in. ... It’s not a bad idea for employee retention to pay them."

HARTFORD — Gov. M. Jodi Rell will not run for re-election in 2010, saying Monday that she plans to dedicate her last 14 months in office to addressing the state’s tough economic situation.
"It’s time," Rell said. "I want to thank the people of Connecticut for the honor of serving as their governor."
Rell has served as governor since 2004, when former Gov. John Rowland resigned in a corruption probe that would eventually lead to a conviction and prison time. She was elected to her own term in 2006, becoming the first Republican woman elected the state’s chief executive.
Her announcement came as a surprise at the Capitol and to her staff. Though her family knew of her plans, she said she gave them about an hour’s notice that she was going to make the decision public.
Local Republican officials in the Northwest Corner had positive, but surprised, reactions to the governor’s 5 p.m. announcement on Monday.
State Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-30, said he was "shocked" and "surprised."
"But I understand why," Roraback said. "I think it’s a decision that she reached after a lot of deliberation. And whether you agree with the governor or disagree with the governor she has given 25 years of her life in service to the people of this state."
Rell was elected in 1984 to the state House of Representatives, where she served for 10 years as a representative in Brookfield. She then was elected to lieutenant governor in 1995, serving another 10 years in the state and succeeded Roland for five years as governor.
Roraback said he has known Rell for the past 15 years — noting that she was a constituent because Brookfield is in the 30th district. Roraback added that he considered Rell a "friend" and that she has a "very good heart."
"It’s a tough job, particularly in these economic times," he said. "But her heart has always been in the right place."
Former state Rep. Anne Ruwet, who served as Torrington’s representative until 2008, said the governor has been an "incredible leader" who she has the highest resect for. Ruwet said she met the governor when serving on the City Council in Torrington, and knew Rell while she served in the General Assembly with Ruwet’s father, Joseph Ruwet.
The former state representative said she heard Rell was going to make a decision after the municipal elections in 2009. Ruwet said she knew Rell had been teetering on the idea, and that she hoped the governor would make a decision to run again.
"She’s been an incredible and stable force in state government," she said.