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Campaign Notebook: How Negative is the Senate Race?

News and updates from the campaign trail in Connecticut.

Senate

Even the most casual of television viewers have probably noticed the glut of negative ads related to the Senate race between Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon. It might seem like civility is a thing of the past, but that’s not necessarily true

The Connecticut Mirror interviewed Susan Herbst, author of “Rude Democracy” and president of the University of Connecticut for some historical context.

While the Senate ads criticizing the character of the candidates might seem rude, they pale in comparison to one event Herbst called “rock-bottom.”

According to the Connecticut Mirror:

And as the politics of sectionalism in the 1850s drove the United States toward the Civil War, South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks viciously beat Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner with a cane on the Senate floor after the latter referred to Brooks' relative, Sen. Andrew Butler, as a pimp trying to introduce the whore of slavery to Kansas.

Third District

Rosa DeLuaro (D) is leading a discussion on Saturday in Hartford titled “Connecticut Women: Change You Want to See.” The talk begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building.

Wayne Winsley (R) is calling for the suspension of state and federal gas taxes in order to keep fuel prices down. “Whether a person has a full-time job that they must commute to; or, a person is out of work but actively seeking a job; or, commuting to a part-time job; or, commuting to school; or, going to the grocery store to purchase food for their family – we need gasoline in the tank. That’s the reality,” Winsley said.  

Fourth District

Candidate Steve Obsitnik criticizing the Democrats’ stances on Israel. Obsitnik called out opponent U.S. Rep. Jim Himes:

“Congressman Himes claims to be a friend of Israel, yet has been silent,” said Obsitnik. “He was silent when his party inexplicably dropped language from its official platform naming Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. And he’s silent now as the Obama Administration ducks a meeting with Israeli officials as they ask for stronger action to avoid a nuclear Iran.”

Himes’ campaign website details the dangers facing Israel.

Part of securing a lasting and just peace throughout the region is the creation of a viable, autonomous Palestinian state living in peace with Israel. The two-state solution is the only viable long-term solution, most likely to lead to a sustainable atmosphere of peace in the Middle East.

I support all efforts to make the hostility Israel faces a thing of the past and share the vision of two states living side by side in peace.

Fifth District

Andrew Roraback is the target of a national organization’s ire. The Register Citizen reports that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent $134,000 on negative ads targeting Roraback. The group has spent more than $2 million throughout the country in this election.

Recently the DCCC commissioned a poll showing Elizabeth Esty in the lead. A poll commissioned by Roraback’s campaign showed the Republican leading. 

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Sam Giglio May 18, 2013 at 04:41 pm
Jack is a good and decent man, He would be an asset to this Town if Elected to serve as our Mayor.Read More With that said we look forward to a new beginning in East Haven, One that can set the path to a new vision for the Residents who live here now and the ones yet to come. Yes its easy to say I like Jack
Richard Poulton May 18, 2013 at 03:53 pm
Gene, Jack is your party's pick, so what else are you to say. As to Jack, if he is anything likeRead More his father he IS a good man. But being just a good man doesn't cut it in todays small world politics. Jack has issues he needs to explain and I am sure when he time comes he will. But as to this article, I wouldn't expect anything else from the SHADOW. Wouldn't want him backing me for anything.
Gene Ruocco May 18, 2013 at 10:40 am
Very positive reasons for supporting Jack Stacey For Mayor of East Haven.
Gene Ruocco May 18, 2013 at 04:24 pm
Richard, the Mayor kicked the CEO of the company that had the contract out of his office less than aRead More month after he won the election. The contract was with the town not the BOE. And if you think the only thing to check is if the panels are dirty, then it isn't worth answering you. A large investment of tax dollars was made and it is paying off with lower electric bills. The systems delivering these savings need to be checked, that is why people who were smart enough to sign a maintenance agreement did just that. Ask the BOE how the chiller replacement is going at the High School; due to lack of maintenance they lost two chillers that should have lasted at least 10 to 15 more years. Penny wise and dollar foolish is what this is all about, not the election year, but what else could we expect from you Richard. You have become the cheer leader of the administration.
Richard Poulton May 18, 2013 at 03:58 pm
Boy, you just know it's an election year. Gene, one question, when was this contract stopped?Read More Just now or some time ago, but seeing its getting "close' to November you just thought you would bring this up. Besides, shouldn't your question be aimed at the B of E, not the Mayor. And what is to be maintained anyway beside washing the panals now and then? You just keep us all informed now Gene.
Anne Santello May 16, 2013 at 06:31 pm
Thanks Richard. Allison...I know that street is crazy!! I was just saying that the van makes theRead More stop sign so hard to see. I wish they would put a cop there too. Unfortunately, things don't get attention until something bad happens.
AllisonWonderland Beckert May 16, 2013 at 05:58 pm
Please, a parked Van you are worrying about???? Every Morning in that same area of Chidsey,Read More Thompson, Prospect. etc, Cars, Trucks etc. Blast thru the Stop Signs and continue on their merry way. I'd worry about the kids walking to the bus stops and school being run down by these careless drivers... EVERY DAY I SEE IT !!!! I wish the Police Department would put an unmarked car in the area.. The Town of East Haven would be rich from ALL the Fines !!!!!
Richard Poulton May 16, 2013 at 05:47 pm
Anne, go to town clerks office and get a copy of Town Codes, Article ll, Section 12-16 and 12-17.Read More Section 12-17 defines an abandoned M/V as any M/V which is "inoperatable", or unregistered and is left in one location for a continuous period of more than 24 hours. Then call the Chiefs office and hit him with that. If nothing happens go to next Town Council meeting and during general public comments ask WHY nothing is done when complaint is made. Good luck.
CitizenVoice May 15, 2013 at 03:06 am
"Nature will reclaim what we took from it in past years." I guess there is one thing weRead More agree on. And it started to sound good until the "government will make me whole, no matter what...." Political trip-wire. I have always felt no one should be allowed to claim or build on shoreline land within a mile of the water, with the exception of ports, on either coast. If it all were National Park lands... if only that decision was made way back when the land was pure and clean... the present and future wouldn't be as nightmarish as it inevitably will be. Only 50 years ago, when I was a very small child, I remember chasing all kinds of sea creatures (crabs, sea horses, star fish) around Silver Sands beach while my Dad caught a bushel of flounder. Where are they now? Yup, I'm a "Tree-Hugger" and, as outrageous as such a plan would be, I would throw all my energy behind a plan to de-populate the shoreline.
Richard Poulton May 14, 2013 at 07:10 pm
In the neigborhood of 135 words and you said what? Nature will reclaim what we took from it inRead More past years. Storms will happen, gee thats news, build a home on the shore line and it maybe lost due to a storm, power will be lost for awhile, OH my God. Far too much traffic, what are we to do? Update a plan for what purpose, the government will make me whole no matter what I do or what circumstance I put myself into. Give me a break! Like the old saying goes. **** happens, deal with it.