Speaking to the city's Republican Town Committee tonight, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley sounded every bit like he's made up his mind to run for governor next year.
Foley said he "can make more of a difference" as a governor than he can as a U.S. senator.
Though he declared he would announce this week whether he'll drop his Senate candidacy in favor of seeking the governorship, Foley left everyone with little doubt he'd already made up his mind.
As an outsider, Foley said, he could "come in and shake it up" in Hartford and "knock down the status quo" that has the state teetering on the brink of financial collapse.
"I can make a difference," Foley said.
Foley is one of three millionaires vying for the right to represent the GOP in the 2010 Senate race against vulnerable Democratic incumbent Chris Dodd. One of the others, Linda McMahon, also spoke to the GOP committee this evening.
Foley said if he drops out of the Senate race, he's sure that McMahon or former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons can beat Dodd. Peter Schiff is also in the running.
"He probably can't win unless something changes dramatically in the world," Foley said, because so many people are angry at his alleged ethical lapses, his absence during the presidential race and his lack of oversight over the bankers and financiers whose greed helped trigger the recession.
At this point, Foley said, he hopes Dodd "will stay in the race" so the GOP can win a crucial Senate seat.
Foley said he began to think of switching races after Gov. Jodi Rell announced she would not seek reelection next year.
He said if he'd known that six months ago, he would have set his sights on succeeding Rell from day one.
Now, he said, he's getting strong support for making the gubernatorial run. The other major contender on the Republican side is Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele.
A number of Democrats are also eyeing the governor's mansion, including Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, state Sen. Gary LeBeau, former House Speaker James Amann, former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, state Healthcare Advocate Kevin Lembo and former U.S. Senate hopeful Ned Lamont.
Electing a Democrat as governor, Foley said, would send Connecticut "off a financial cliff" because the majority party has proven itself unable to control costs or hold government accountable.
It's shaping up to be a fascinating political year in 2010.
Really, though, after being ambassador to Ireland, isn't everything else downhill?
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
17 comments:
Foley:
Don't count on the losers from the BRTC to get you any votes. Most of them are RINOs anyway.
I don't remember reading anything about his coming to Bristol.
Did anyone show up?
Good way to keep ones interest in running a secret: tell the local Republicans.
Don't you think some local republicans might have been interested?
If local Republicans are interested in politics, they should be at the RTC meetings regardless of who a guest speaker may or may not be. Why keep your interest a secret?
9:40
Don't you think that an article announcing major contenders appearance would have been appropriate?
There are those that might be more interested in state and national activity than just local.
Also, where does one find out when and where the meetings are?
Clearly, the local RTC is a closed club and they do no want the people to know what they are doing (NOT).
I learned that Foley would be at the meeting about 4 o'clock Monday afternoon. I only knew McMahon was coming because a Republican insider tipped me off a week earlier.
It's not really my place to invite the public to the Republican Town Committee, though I'd be happy to try to put an open invitation in the paper if the GOP ever wants one.
December 1, 2009 9:40 PM;
It was the Bristol Republican Town Committee's responsibility to broadcast the fact that this man is visiting. The onus is clearly on them, not vice versa. Perhaps that is why most of you do so poorly very year.
The real reason is that these peons on the BRTC are so proud that they are on the committee themselves, they couldn't care less about actually building the party. TJ is an example. He speaks about "building" the party. Well only with thos who have their noses up is butt. The same with Stortz and her highness Queen K...all a bunch of jerks. Let them eat ____.
8:20
At least Stortz gets out and talks with the people.
Maybe that is why he is so electable,
December 2, 2009 10:27 AM:
Right. Apparently the most of the "leaders" on the TC are just interested in holding office on the town committee, going to conventions, other special events, etc. They couldn't care less about actually winning. They are even less concerned about things like fiscal conservatism. That would mean they actually had to be slightly controversial. The current BTC (and most if not all of the ones in the last 20 years are impotent.
6:36
That is why the RTC "leadership" did not want Stortz to be their candidate.
He would have outshone them, AND, they would have been embarassed when he wouldn't bow to them.
The main reason Leadership did not want Bill to be the candidate was because the last time he was Mayor he proved to be a vindicitive individual. On one hand he says he would not bow down to people, what ever that means, but he demands people bow down to him. In the end WHO really cares about Bill Stortz? His time has come and gone....
9:23
I see and know Bill in a different light.
Maybe you could give me an example or two so I can see what I may have missed.
I know that a majority of City employees would have liked him back.
9:23
His time came, more than once, but fortunately, yours never did.
Wonder why?
9:23
Are you still out there?
Any response?
9:23
Do you need the weekend to think about it?
I am still curious, actually interested.
12-3 11:45
Still waiting!!!
And waiting!
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