The Hartford Courant sent a bunker bomb in to Connecticut Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Alan Schlesingerís flagging campaign today with revelations that the former legislator was successfully sued for thousands of dollars in casino debts he ran up in Atlantic City venues. Schlesingerís campaign was rocked last week by the news that, among other things, he had gambled in a Connecticut Indian casino under an assumed name, Alan Gold. His luck will have run out now.
Word of his gambling debts will renew calls for Schlesinger to abandon his tattered candidacy. His falling fortunes caused much speculation Thursday on a successor candidate in the wake of a Quinnipiac poll showing Democrat challenger Ned Lamont leading incumbent Joseph Lieberman for the first time in the August 8th primary. Fainthearted Republicans who had declined to run in the spring, when they thought Lamont a minor protest candidate, are witnessing the rare second chance in the simultaneous declines of Lieberman and Schlesinger.
The 72 member Republican State Central Committee fill vacancies in the state ticket. It is a collection of the sclerotic and highly partisan, rather than a congress of the practical.
Any Republican hopeful will have to overcome a Lieberman boomlet. Advisors close to Republican governor Jodi Rell, who tried to get Schlesinger off the ticket last week, are scheming to give Lieberman a safe harbor on the GOP line in exchange for adding his drawing power to what they hope will be Rellís. The potent combination would help three Republican congressmen, constitutional office candidates and some legislative hopefuls. State Central Committee would likely resist. Mondayís visit to Waterbury by former President Bill Clinton to rescue Liebermanís primary campaign will be a bitter reminder at the wrong time that Lieberman is very much a Democrat. Lieberman pal John McCain, wildly popular among Connecticut GOP, might be able to smooth the path to a fusion ticket.
Other possibilities include 2004 Senate candidate Jack Orchulli. He fared poorly in that race and showed a notable lack of interest in issues and the grind of a campaign. But heís curiously eager, and rich, which leaders see as crucial. State Senator John McKinney, son of the late congressman, has been heard mewling about not making the race early in the year. He is a moderate with some fundraising skill. State Senator Bill Nickerson, of Greenwich, brings brains, money, and a formidable network of friends. Heís fast on his feet, can argue any brief and comes with a persuasive slogan: ìIíll beat Ned Lamont again.î He trounced the fellow Greenwich prince in a 1990 legislative three way race. For Nickerson it would merely be history repeating.
Others may start exploring bids as calls grow insistent that Schlesinger walk the plank.
-- Guest contributor Kevin Rennie is a columnist for the Hartford Courant.
July 21, 2006
Get a political job!: Check out Political Wire's extensive job board for the latest listings.
PREMIUM BLOG AD
BLOG ADS
GOOGLE ADS
The largest collection of political memorabilia in one place.
The largest collection of political memorabilia in one place.
