State of Connecticut secondary Archives: on Principles & Values
Al Gore:
Stand for the people and against special interests
Will we stand up for the people? Or will we allow entrenched interests to take over the Presidency as well as the Congress? I’ve stood up to the big drug companies, the big oil companies, the insurance companies and the HMO’s.
We’ve shown that we can put progress ahead of partisanship, to make gains that were once unimaginable: the first budget surpluses in a generation. Twenty-two million new jobs. Targeted tax cuts to pay for college and job training. The welfare rolls
cut in half. Now, we can set our sights even higher. Imagine an America where no parent or grandparent ever has to choose between medicine and food and rent; where we honor the bonds between the generations, and keep Social Security
and Medicare strong. Imagine an America that transforms education -- so that there is a qualified teacher in every classroom. Imagine an America where we cure cancer, ease the pain of disease, and let all our children breathe air free of pollution.
Source: Speech in Connecticut on special interests
Jul 10, 2000
August Wolf:
Represented America at 1984 Olympics
My name is August Wolf, and I believe that Connecticut needs a new Champion. As a young man I had the honor of representing our nation at the 1984 Olympics.
After raising four children, being a leader in my business, and a contributor to my community, it's now time for me to be your new champion--an advocate who stands up for the values that originally made Connecticut and America great.
Source: 2016 Connecticut Senate campaign website wolf2016.com
Sep 22, 2015
August Wolf:
Participated in 1984 Olympics, as shot-put athlete
Wolf's path to the Olympics began when he switched from baseball to track & field at the St. Paul Academy in Minnesota at the urging of his athletic director, who thought he had a future in the shot put and discus. He had immediate success, which
provided him not only with the ability to qualify for the state meet but was the basis for him making it to the Olympics. "Performance is all about having the right support and inspiration, and practicing the right movements over and over," Wolf
said. "The secret to success is boring: excellence is mundane. We need to do this better in our society--too much focus on instant gratification and superficial success metrics." That's difficult since the human mind is not conditioned to do activities
for long periods of time.At Los Angeles, Wolf, who was probably the biggest US Olympian, marched during the opening ceremonies next to the smallest, the talkative Mary Lou Retton, the Gold Medal gymnast who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Source: Brookfield Patch on 2016 Connecticut Senate race
May 31, 2015
Dan Malloy:
Don't listen to the critics; Connecticut is moving forward
Teddy Roosevelt said a century ago that it's not the critic who counts, but those who strive to do great things. We hear plenty of critics now. Even as sunshine begins to break through the clouds, there are some intent on hoping for thunderstorms. We
should not listen. Connecticut is moving forward.I spoke about the work we've done to partner with Connecticut small businesses. Will every single one of those investments pay off? Of course not. And if one fails, the critics would say that's reason
enough to stop investing in small businesses altogether. We should not listen. Connecticut is moving forward.
And now, during this session, those critics will say that for one reason or another that we can't increase the minimum wage, that we can't
expand access to early childhood education, that we can't find ways to make college more affordable. I say they're wrong. Connecticut must move forward, because the people of our state have sacrificed, & now they deserve to share in our emerging recovery
Source: 2014 State of the State address to Connecticut legislature
Feb 6, 2014
Joseph Lieberman:
I'm not George Bush, but Lamont is running against him
I know George Bush. I have worked against George Bush. I have even run against George Bush. But, Ned, I'm not George Bush. So why don't you stop running against him and have the courage and honesty to run against me and the facts of my record?
The fact is that I have opposed George Bush on most of the major policy initiatives of his administration, from tax cuts for the rich to privatizing Social Security. I have done so not for partisan reasons, but because I believe he was wrong.
I'm a Democrat with a 35-year record of fighting for progressive causes, for the middle class, for civil rights, for women's rights, for human rights and a lot more. I voted with my Senate Democratic colleagues 90% of the time. And when I have disagreed,
I have had the courage of my convictions to say so. That's who I am. That's who I have been. And that's what I offer Connecticut voters for the next six years -- experience, principles and results.
Source: 2006 Connecticut Democratic Senate Primary debate
Jul 6, 2006
Joseph Lieberman:
Would run Independent due to Lamont's single-issue candidacy
Q: What does being a Democrat mean to you and why have you opted to become a petitioning candidate if you don't win the primary? A: What a Democrat means to me is what it meant in 1960 when President Kennedy summoned my generation into public service.
In our time, the Democratic Party has been the great hope of people rising in our country, and it remains that way.
[My opponent] is running a single issue campaign. He is a single issue candidate who is applying a litmus test to me.
It's not good enough to be 90% voting with my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus. He wants 100%. And when a party does that, it's the beginning of the defeat of that party.
I want Democrats to be back in the majority in Washington and elect a Democratic president in 2008. This man and his supporters will frustrate and defeat our hopes of doing that.
Source: 2006 Connecticut Democratic Senate Primary debate
Jul 6, 2006
Leora Levy:
Knows what happens when Communism conquers a country
Leora Levy has lived the American dream. She came to this country as a child, escaping Castro's communist regime in Cuba.
She knows firsthand what it means when Communism conquers your country.
Source: 2022 Connecticut Senate campaign website LeoraForCT.com
Aug 11, 2022
Leora Levy:
America's founding was a miracle
Many of us grew up being taught the Biblical miracles. As an adult, I have come to realize that miracles do happen. America's founding, so unlikely, which hung by a thread many times between
1775 and 1778, was not just the triumph of enlightened government over tyranny, but a miracle.
Source: 2022 Connecticut Senate campaign website LeoraForCT.com
Aug 11, 2022
Linda McMahon:
OpEd: Spent $50M of her own money on 2010 Senate race
Shays questioned McMahon's conservative credentials in light of her big spending, $50 million, during the 2010 race she lost to Richard Blumenthal. McMahon strongly asserted how her 2010 campaign spending "was my money" and chided
Shays for voting for earmarks like the notorious Alaska bridge project. "Congressman Shays, $50 million pales in comparison to the 'bridge to nowhere' that you voted on as a congressman for $200 million."
Source: Connecticut Day on 2012 CT Senate GOP primary debate
Apr 19, 2012
Maggie Hassan:
We do democracy better: we argue but then solve problems
Many of our challenges will require tough choices and even tougher votes. There will be times when reaching consensus seems impossible, when debates and arguments may get heated.But what matters--to our economy, to our businesses, to the people of our
state--is what we do after we argue. Building on our progress and accelerating our economic recovery will require us to set aside preconceived notions. We will need to be rigorous in examining our own long-held positions. We will have to work to identify
our common ground--and then seize upon it.
I like to say that, in New Hampshire, we do democracy better than anyplace else. In the past year, we have proven this to be true despite our status as one of the few states with a legislature split between
the parties.
Unlike Washington, we have shown time and again that we are capable of engaging with each other, putting arguments aside and coming together to solve problems, leading to progress for our businesses and families.
Source: 2014 State of the State address to Connecticut legislature
Feb 6, 2014
Mark Lauretti:
Denies involvement in two Shelton development scandals
Lauretti downplayed any political damage done by scandals involving Shelton, such as one that led to convictions for two prominent developers and a city building official and another one that involved the theft of up to $914,000 by a former city
Assistant Finance Director . Federal law enforcement officials oversaw the development scandal investigation and pursued Lauretti as a target, but he was never charged with any crime and denies having done anything illegal."What scandal?"
Lauretti said when asked about the issue. "That's standard for public officials. It means that I've been vetted. And don't forget the sitting governor went through the same thing." Part of the Shelton investigation focused on home improvements made to
Lauretti's home. Questions also have been raised in the past about the cost of work done on Malloy's home in Stamford. Lauretti said when you hold public office, some people don't like you and they often will make accusations to cause political problems.
Source: Shelton Herald on 2018 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jan 4, 2014
Ned Lamont:
I say what I mean, and I mean what I say
People tell me that they want their political leaders to stand up, think big ideas, dream big dreams, say what you mean, and mean what you say. And with Ned Lamont as your next Democratic senator, I mean to do just that. It won't take me 18 years to sign
onto a bill that says health care is a basic right for every American. And I'll vote to roll back the Bush-Cheney-Lieberman energy bill, which provides billions of subsidies to big oil and does so little for energy independence and the environment.
Source: 2006 Connecticut Democratic Senate Primary debate
Jul 6, 2006
Ned Lamont:
If Lieberman won't take on George Bush, I will
As a volunteer teacher, I was talking to the kids and telling them that if you work hard and you play by the rules and make good choices, opportunity is going to come your way. But as I was saying this, I was thinking, in Washington, we are making a
lot of bad choices right now. We're losing a lot of our good-paying jobs here in the state of Connecticut, and I wonder about the opportunities for our kids as they get older. And, Senator Lieberman, if you won't challenge President
Bush on his failed agenda, I will. Look at the record. Gas prices have doubled. Skyrocketing health care costs are bankrupting families and small businesses alike. Connecticut families are working harder and harder and earning less and less.
We're more dependent upon foreign oil. We're more dependent upon foreign capital, and we have 135,000 of our bravest troops stuck in the middle of a bloody civil war. And I say that those who got us into this mess should be held accountable.
Source: 2006 Connecticut Democratic Senate Primary debate
Jul 6, 2006
Ned Lamont:
My support is grassroots -- stand up and be clear
Q: This contest between the two of you has been described as a fight for the soul of the Democratic Party. Who are your supporters? And if you were to win the primary, would you broaden your appeal to more of the party? A: In terms of support for the
Ned Lamont campaign, it's grassroots support. We have got tens of thousands of people across the state of Connecticut and beyond who want the Democrats to stand up and be counted, be clear about where we stand, think boldly, talk boldly about what
we want to do, offer real, constructive alternatives to the Bush agenda.
Right now we have got 63 lobbyists for every Congressman in Washington DC. You have got the best Congress that money can buy. But when it comes to the Democrats,
I think it's important we go down to Washington DC, and start talking about the common good. I think that's where we make a difference as Democrats, and I think that's when we start winning again.
Source: 2006 Connecticut Democratic Senate Primary debate
Jul 6, 2006
Ned Lamont:
Democrats should present constructive alternatives to Bush
LAMONT: I think it's so important that the Democrats stand up and present a constructive alternative to the Bush administration. I find that Sen. Lieberman too often is willing to undermine the Democrats, be it on issues like the war in Iraq, or on a
variety of other issues, be it Social Security, be it affirmative action, be it vouchers. These are important issues that say a lot about what we stand for. We stand for the public good. We stand for public education. We stand for universal health care
for every American, and when Democrats say that, that's when we start winning again. LIEBERMAN: On Social Security privatization--I looked at it in the late 90s. I decided it was a bad idea. I opposed it in 2000. I voted for resolutions against it. On
the day that Pres. Bush started his campaign to privatize Social Security in 2005, I was one of 41 Democratic senators to say explicitly that I think it's a bad idea, it would hurt Social Security. So why don't you stop spreading that kind of untruth?
Source: 2006 Connecticut Democratic Senate Primary debate
Jul 6, 2006
Ned Lamont:
Important to reset relationships with regional states
Two years ago I stressed the importance of resetting the relationships with our neighboring and regional states. For too long, those relationships had been neglected. And as our neighboring governors understood, this virus doesn't respect state borders.
When the federal government failed to come up with a national strategy, I worked with Gina [Raimondo] and Charlie [Baker] in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Phil [Murphy] in New Jersey, and of course Andrew [Cuomo] in neighboring New York.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature
Jan 6, 2021
Ned Lamont:
I have zero tolerance for any ethical malfeasance
I will hold anyone accountable who breaches that trust, starting in my administration. I have zero tolerance for any ethical malfeasance.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards. If you see something, say something, and if you don't get the response you deserve, give me a call.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature
Feb 9, 2022
Tom Foley:
AdWatch: NYC residents should move to CT under new governor
Tom Foley is out with the first television advertisement of the campaign. The ad is raising eyebrows because it isn't running in Connecticut; it's only being shown on two cable stations in New York City.
The 30-second spot tries to court New York voters who are unhappy with incoming Mayor Bill DeBlasio, a Democrat who leans farther to the left than current Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Foley says in the ad:
"With your new mayor, I know many of you are thinking about leaving. Connecticut, with the same progressive policies you're about to see in your city, may not be
first on your mind. But wait a second. Connecticut next year will probably elect a new governor. When it does, Connecticut once again will be the place people want to be in the northeast."
Source: Daily Kos AdWatch on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Nov 11, 2013
Tom Foley:
Partial facial paralysis means he smiles on only left side
Few politicians have to face questions about their smile--or lack of one. It's not that Foley is glum guy. Rather, in 1994, he was suddenly afflicted with Bell's Palsy, which partly paralyzed the right side of his face. He can only smile with the left
side of his mouth; and his right eye is partially closed.While Foley's condition is not immediately noticeable, the Republican said he knows it can give people a misperception about his personality--a potential problem for someone trying to connect
with voters. "It affects a little bit of how you look. But probably more so, it affects your ability to communicate, because so much of communication is through facial expression," Foley said.
Foley requests that TV cameras shoot him from his left side
and he tries to be aware of someone sitting by his right side, to make sure they don't think he's disinterested in them. "A lot of times people can't pick up the emotion if they're looking at this side of my face," he said, pointing to his right side.
Source: Norwich Bulletin on 2014 Connecticut Governor race
Sep 20, 2010
Tom Foley:
Will not participate in primary debates
Tom Foley, the front-runner in a six-candidate field for the Republican nomination for governor, will not participate in debates until after the GOP nominating convention May 17, his spokesman said: "He's decided between now the convention his
focus should really be on the delegates who are going to be making the decisions at the convention. He said he's going to be participating in debates following the conventions."Media organizations are sponsoring two televised debates next month on Fox
Connecticut and NBC 30: Fox and The Hartford Courant are taping a debate April 11 to air Sunday, April 13; NBC 30 is airing a live debate April 17 at 7 p.m.
The campaign manager for Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said he hopes Foley reconsiders: "State
Republicans have an important choice to make in the race for governor. Debates are an integral part of the democratic process, and voters deserve to hear from all the candidates."
Source: Connecticut Mirror on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Mar 13, 2014
Tom Foley:
1981: Arrested for 1st-degree attempted assault in car crash
A controversial issue that came up was his arrest in 1981 related to a car crash in Southhampton NY. He described it in 2010 as minor and something that had occurred at a low speed. He was charged with first-degree attempted assault, and spent a night in
the police lockup, but the charge was later dropped.In 2013, The Courant managed to obtain two police reports on the incident that had previously not been available. One report said the other car, which had 5 people in it, was hit 3 times on the left
rear fender and twice on the left front fender in 3 separate locations over about a mile, according to the paper. The offense report said that one of the collisions occurred when the cars were traveling at 50 mph and the occupants of the other car did
not feel it was an accident.
"I disagree with all of that. Certainly the 50 mph. If that had been the case, doesn't it sound like it wouldn't have been dismissed?" he said. The candidate admits it was his fault, but the charges were dropped.
Source: New Haven Register on 2014 Connecticut gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2014
Ned Lamont:
Just turned 69; getting older is kind of liberating
So, I turned 69 yesterday. Time marches on, so we better hurry up. Maybe I am less guarded, a little more blunt, and feeling more urgency to get to yes.
Getting older is kind of liberating. I don't want you to wait a generation before you feel equally liberated.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature
Jan 4, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023