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A letter to John Mertens, CFL Senate candidate

by: Sue

Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 18:42:46 PM EST

( - promoted by ctblogger)

Over at The Hartford Courant's Capital Watch blog, Daniela Altimari caught the reaction of some CT progressives to a PCCC commercial endorsing Merten's campaign, using the Connecticut for Lieberman Party for ballot access in 2010.

From Capital Watch:

Connecticut for Lieberman was launched by Lieberman after he lost the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont in 2006. But Lieberman walked away as soon as he won re-election, allowing his fiercest critics to seize control of the party that bears his name.
Now some of those very same activists are furious at Mertens for risking their overarching goal: Maintaining ballot access so that the party can be used to mount an offensive against Lieberman in 2012. Some have also voiced concern that Mertens, who is also seeking the endorsement of the Green, Independent and Libertarian parties, could play the role of spoiler and cause Dodd to lose his Senate seat.
To get the full flavor of the disagreement, check out the comments on Daily Kos.

Here is my response to Dr. Merten's justifications for running under the Connecticut for Lieberman Party banner.

Read the response below the fold

Sue :: A letter to John Mertens, CFL Senate candidate

Dr. Mertens,
As past Secretary of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party, I am doubtful as to the truthfulness of several statements in your post. You assert that Dr. Orman was both planning to run against Senator Lieberman in 2012 and that he supported your current candidacy for Sen. Dodd's Senate seat.
Dr. Orman and I were in touch just about weekly via email up to his death. He discussed his successes and plans, but he never mentioned running a campaign in 2012.
Dr. Orman did write me when he wanted help getting blog coverage or publicity about a current interest or accomplishment. You'll find diaries I wrote covering his play "Helen Keller Speaks". There were requests for assistance in getting people to understand the rational of the CFL Party. Here's just one example:
___________________________
From: Orman, John
Date: Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 7:15 AM
Way to go Sue. I am still trying to get CFL info to Rachel Maddow. Last week on her show she said the only people left in Connecticut who still love and support Joe Lieberman are the Connecticut for Lieberman Party. If you have any ideas on how to get her to stop saying that and to inform her of our CFL, I would appreciate it. John Orman
____________________________
My position as Secretary of the party was to promote it via the blogs and other media outlets. The CFL name made the task problematic, but for those who were listening, Dr. Orman's brainchild caught on. The CFL takeover was a brilliant idea, and it's implications and inspiration spread across the press and the blogosphere. We were a team, working together, and as such I'm sure Dr. Orman would have shared with me that he was cultivating the possibility of a Senate race.
Dr. O's prevailing consideration for the CFL Party was that it was created in order to 'hold Senator Lieberman accountable.' When Dr. Orman, I, and the other original members signed the party over to you, we were made to understand that you would maintain it's original philosophy and viability as long as Sen. Lieberman was politically active.
Losing both an election against Sen. Dodd (who we supported) and party ballot access in 2012 was not what Dr. Orman envisioned for CFL. Therefore, it is in his memory that I and the other original founders are speaking up now.
Susan Henshaw

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A letter to John Mertens, CFL Senate candidate | 6 comments

Well said (4.00 / 1)

except for "rational" instead of "rationale" but everyone should be able to get yr drift.

This egotistical move of Mertens should have been directed into something more effective: The Connecticut for Mertens Party, perhaps?

Thank you, Sue, for continuing to defend one of John Orman's many great legacies.

"I am not a Blogger...But I play one on the internet."

by: tessa @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 12:37:07 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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Dr Mertens ran away from the original intent of CFL (0.00 / 0)

Sue...good letter and it leads me to believe that for some reason( probably an ego reason) Dr Mertens has run away from the original intent of CFL...Dr Orman was a friend of mine, who I would visit from time to time at his work....I am sure he would be appalled and saddened by Dr Merten's conduct.

I highly doubt appeals based upon logic and political progressive tactical reasoning to Dr Mertens will be effective.You probably made a misjudgement "signing away" CFL and progressives like myself should now realize that Dr Mertens might draw 1-3% of the votes, no matter who is the endorsed Democrat.

by: BruceRubenstein2 @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 12:49:25 PM CST

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I just posted a letter to Adam Green (0.00 / 0)

over at DailyKos.

by: Sue @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 13:41:35 PM CST

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Nah, I'll wait until latter - (0.00 / 0)

so maybe someone will see it.

by: Sue @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 13:53:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Thanks for this, and Scarce is rec'd on DailyKos (0.00 / 0)

right now.

Another life, eh, Scarce?

by: Sue @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 19:35:18 PM CST

by: you @ soon

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A Response to "A letter to John Mertens" (0.00 / 0)

(This is also posted as a separate diary, but I post it here in case people didn't see it).

Hi Sue,

I'm responding because I'm bothered by postings on blogs that imply that I am somehow disrespecting John Orman (the original, sole member of the CFL) by running for U.S. Senate. I worked closely with John, and I have nothing but the highest respect for him and his memory. Last night (Dec. 9) I was able to dig up this email exchange with John, that shows he supported me running for U.S. Senate in 2010 (see below).

I also respectfully submit that I have accomplished more in regards to bringing attention to Joe Lieberman's betrayal of the voters of CT with my hard work as chair of the CFL for the last two years than any of the original members of the party could have hoped for.

I welcome civil engagement with anyone who wishes to communicate with me. I am not running for U.S. Senate for selfish reasons. I'm trying to bring calm, intelligent, non-partisan problem-solving to government. If people go to my website, www.Mertens2010.com, they will see the hard work I am putting in, and they can read my 30 position statements and solutions to long term problems. Instead of calling me names, people should read my positions and give me their opinions about them. Let's educate people about the huge, long-term problems that none of the Republicans or Democrats even talk about.

Best,
John Mertens

From: Orman, John [mailto:JOrman@mail.fairfield.edu]
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 12:49 PM
To: Mertens, John D
Subject: RE: Running for Senate

Great. Okay you run in 2010 and get 1% and if Lieberman tries to run at 70 years old in 2012 I will try to get CFL nomination to run against him. Thanks. John O

-----Original Message-----
From: Mertens, John D [mailto:John.Mertens@trincoll.edu]
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 12:31 PM
To: Orman, John
Subject: RE: Running for Senate

Hi John,

I've been planning to run in 2010, and I've been talking to the Green, Independent, and Libertarian folks about unifying. I have a very good relationship with the party leaders of all three. .....[I have removed personal communication about strategies, etc. that I don't want to share with the world.].... These are all issues that should be decided by the party members. I think it would be fine for you to rejoin the party, and at the 2010 statewide caucus put your name up for consideration, and have the party debate and take a vote. [removed personal statements]

Best,
John

From: Orman, John [mailto:JOrman@mail.fairfield.edu]
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 11:13 AM
To: Mertens, John D
Subject: Running for Senate

John do you want to run for U.S. Senate in 2010 against Chris Dodd or in 2012 against Joe Lieberman. I would like to run one of those times if the party nominates me. John Orman

by: John Mertens @ Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 14:36:09 PM CST

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A letter to John Mertens, CFL Senate candidate | 6 comments

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