Saturday Open Thread

by: mikect

Sat May 24, 2008 at 10:54:49 AM EDT

• The Hartford Democratic leadership is proven incapable of shame as they nominate Abe Giles for state rep over incumbent Marie Kirkley-Bey.  That's Abe Giles of the no-bid city parking contract and free tax-paid trash hauling.  The Abe Giles who, as a former state rep, was ranked by his peers as the worst legislator in the state.  Kirkley-Bey, who had crossed Mayor Putin Perez one too many times, will primary Giles.  In addition, Giles' daughter-in-law, Olga Vasquez, won the nod for Registrar of Voters over the incumbent.  To round out the new junta, Perez loyalist Hector Robles will fill the seat vacated by Perez critic Art Feltman.
  
  
• Bill Dyson, Dem for Joe, GOP coup plotter, and Rowland impeachment opponent, will not run for re-election, opening up a primary fight in New Haven.
  
  
• Some Democrats are stepping up to the plate to fight previously unchallenged Republicans.  Region 10 Board of Ed member Joseph Arcuri will take on Thomaston's John Piscopo, probably the worst, most right-wing, and most anti-environmental Republican in the state.  Nick Creed is the nominee that will challenge Craig Miner in the Litchfield area House district.  Kent DTC member Ryan Burnett will take on Rep. Mary Ann Carson.  Martin Goldberg was nominated to run against Sen. John McKinney.  Old Saybrook Board of Education member Eileen Baker will seek to oust anti-choice Rep. Marilyn Giuliano (also one of the worst).
  
  
• However, even though Republican John Ryan's resignation left his House seat wide open, Darien and Norwalk Democrats failed to nominate a challenger, handing the seat over to a new Republican.
  
  
• Kathy Hale will once again try to defeat Rep. Aman (no, not that Amann) in South Windsor.
  
  
• Fox 61 did a "day in the life" story on Dem Senate challenger George Colli, nominated to challenge Enfield's Senator Running Deer. (hat tip to Irish Patti)
  
  
• Norwalk and Wilton Dems nominated Peggy Reeves for state rep to fill Republican Toni Boucher's former seat.
  
  
• Lonnie Reed was nominated by Branford Dems instead of incumbent state rep Peter Panaroni, who recently looked to the Godfather as his political mentor and will not challenge the nomination.  The GOP will not offer an opponent.
  
  
• John McCarthy got the formal nod as the candidate to unseat freshman Senator Robert Kane.
  
  
• Colin McEnroe talked transgender issues (mp3) on WTIC.
  
  
• Joe Conanson chronicles the duplicity of Joe Lieberman.
  
  
• There has been much ink spilled about the need for increased funding for progressive movement infrastructure, particularly in the areas of communications and policy ideas.  However, this plea has fallen on deaf ears for too many foundations and individuals donors.  Two venerable institutions -- the 32 year-old Center for Policy Alternatives and George Lakoff's Rockridge Institute -- closed last month due to lack of funding.  All the more reason to contribute to infrastructural organizations that remain, like the Progressive States Network.