Photo shared by James Bailey Brislin
The 18-year-incumbent, Democrat Tom Colapietro, said his views are “absolutely opposite” those voiced by his Republican challenger, Jason Welch.
Welch said they have “two different visions of government” and dismissed Colapietro’s as “the vision of the past.”
Welch, an attorney, said the state needs a new direction away from two decades’ worth of stagnant job growth, high energy costs and high taxes.
He said his own vision includes “a fiscally responsible government,” across-the-board spending cuts, reductions in unfunded mandates and other measures aimed at convincing businesses to take a chance on Connecticut and to begin hiring.
Colapietro, a retired factory worker and former union lobbyist, said he’s proud of what he’s achieved in Hartford over the years.
“I have a record. I’ve done a lot of good for a lot of people,” Colapietro said.
The two faced off at Chippens Hill Middle School in a forum sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. About 125 people attended
I'll post a link to the full story by morning.
Update: You can watch some of the debate thanks to Press photographer Mike Orazzi:
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
72 comments:
And this is a "bright" attorney? lol. Boring stuff Welch. Boring!
If you lower taxes by2 or 3% - you would need to make cuts - I can tell you the people of the State of CT can can less where you make the cuts! The only way to get the state out of he hole its in is to lower the taxes..That is and will only be the way. Plain and simple. Reduce taxes and reduce government.
Is all that Tommie Toupe' can do is make silly rhymes? Of course there's plenty to reduce and cut.
First start with Binding Arbitration reform and cutting the grandiose pensions and benefits of some of these state employees.
But whatever, The Toupe' is going to whoop handsome Jay-boy on Nov.
2nd. So it's all trivial. It would have been better seeing Betts vs. Colapietro. Too bad the Barne$ Party is using Jason as a sacrificial lamb against Colapietro. I think it's selfish of the Barne$ Party.
Tom Colapietro said that kids attend vocational school because they can't add 10 plus 10.
Really! He said it and it was an embarassment to Bristol.
After Tonight's Debate...I'm Embarassed To Say I'm A Democrat!
Colapietro Was Coached Prior To This Debate On How To Speak...He Was "AWFUL".
He Knew ALL The Questions That Were Being Asked & Was Coached On How To Answer Them...Again, "AWFUL"...Can You Imagine If He Didn't Know The Questions & Was Coached, What Ridiculous Answers He Would Have Given.
Jason Welch Was Clear and Articulate In His Answers...It Is Sooo Obvious That Jason Welch Has My Vote, Amongst Many, Many Others.
Great Job Jason!!!
Colapietro Needs To GO...Sooner Than Later..He Cannot Answer Crucial/Critical Budget Questions On "OUR" State...He Made A "TOTAL"
Idiot Out Of Himself...In One Of His "MANY" Ridiculous Statements He Said, "That The Kids At The Bristol Tec School Can't Count To 10, But Can Work With Their Hands"...How TERRIBLE Is That!!! I Know Kids That Go There and That Is FARTHEST FROM THE TRUTH!!!...I Will Bet ALL The Kids at Bristol Tec Would Have Done Better Than Colapietro Tonight...HANDS DOWN!
Great ideas and great presentation by Jason Welch! Thank you to the Chamber for sponsoring the debate, which left us with no doubts about who the better candidate is. Go, Jason!
I found Welch to be well spoken, polished, and likeable. Cannot vote for his policies but gotta respect his effort.
Steve,
It is Jason Welch not Jason Welsh, just an fyi.
6:04 - Thanks. The headline is now corrected (and thank God in my tired, rushed state I only messed it up in the headline on the blog!).
Mike,
Next time get a better moderator.
The only thing she did right was call Betts a democrat
Steve,
Actually your did it a few times in the article also, towards the end. That is the typo of Welch and Welsh. I also noticed that the article on Betts Covello had where they are from reversed saying Betts is from Plymouth and Covello from Bristol.
7:06 -- Oh, goodie. I'm sorry, folks. Obviously I do know the man's name. It's just exhaustion combined with reading about Welsh history lately!
Let's get that meat cleaver out! Buh bye Tommie!
We have a great choice Vote Jason Welch.BUT HE ONLY HAS A 32% CHANCE OF WINNING.
I think Welch is cute but kinda lost in space with his plan.
Wow. My dad used to say it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool then to open it and prove it. Boy was my dad right when it came to Tom's performance last night. He had the questions ahead of time and yet did not answer the questions he was asked. Instead he spoke about how great he is, took credit for the good things and blamed others for the bad things. He did not address the topic, the issues or any type of plan that he has.
It is time to thank Tom for his service and make a change!
We can do better and need to do better!
Thanks to the Chamber for putting this event on.
10:35 Stop trying to find fault. I was there and he didn't say that. He said that the kids that have a hard adding 10 plus 10 (An example) that they can still do well with their hands. I won't allow you to trash the good he has done for this school. I would though like to know if you did anything except tell half truths and lies on here.
10:12 I think what you are trting to say is the same old republican cry of just cut taxes and government. Then you'd probably be the first to cry when we can't afford to help you. Nothing is free you dingbat .
10:56 Awww ya mean you woulda said something good about Tom. I'm not that stupid.
6:49 Got anythhing to say good about anybody except about your pretty boy?
because a student doesn't seek to go the college route doesn't mean that they are any less intelligent than anyone else - pluming, electrical, manufacturing, culinary and most other trades require expertise in many of the same/or as many fields as college options, in conjunction with the aptitude for working outside of the office atmosphere.
Many tech school grads can earn as much/more than many college grads.
To belittle the tech school education is as irresponsible as closing our high schools.
Steve,
When did the Boy's and Girls club start endorsing candidates? I've gotten a couple mailers for Colapietro with pictures of him at the boy's club.
I for one will stop giving to them. As a non profit they should not be supporting anyone!
7:44 You are the typical Colapietro supporter. Keep things as they are, don't make any changes, don't offer any constructive commentary and insult anyone you don't agree with. To advocate a 5-10% cut for state agencies absolutley can be done without sacrificing services. It happens all the time in the private sector. There has to be redundancies that could be eliminated and efficiencies that can be gained to meet a 5-10% threshold. To suggest that is not possible is unrealistic and not practical. The state's financial problems are immense and require doing things very different than in the past. Mr. Colapietro simply does not appear to up for this task. His response in the debate to this question was basically "we did this already". That is not good enough for today's problems.
Welch has some great ideas about education, unfunded mandates and the terrible bureacracy that is our public education system.
Colapietro (albeit a nice guy) avoided the question in regards to education, made wise-cracks and provided no solutions or ideas.
"Ridiculous" is correct. Not only do trade jobs pay as well or better than service sector jobs (which the state tax payers contribute billions of dollars to every year through funding state colleges) but the trade jobs are essential to the economic success of our society. If we produce nothing, our society will undoubtably decline. The state of Connecticut has gutted our trade schools and it's a shame.
9:09 AM...It's Because ELLEN ZOPPO Is Running His Campaign Behind The Scenes...What A Joke!!!
Steve- just curious, why did you not report about the intimidation activities outside the polling place at last night's debate? If you visit the Waterbury Republican reports, they cover it well and the local paper misses it. Why? Also thought it was curious that as the front row crowd left after the Welch-Colapietro debate that they made hand signs that they were punching out. Were those people paid to be in attendance?
Welch has great ideas? Were you actually at the debate last night? I was. And here’s how it went:
Colapietro is undoubtedly less articulate than Jason Welch, but he did get the following points across: (1) he is a Bristol guy; (2) he cares about Bristol; (3) when the City or people of Bristol have asked for Colapietro’s help, he has delivered; (4) it has been difficult for any of our democratic incumbents at the State to get anything accomplished because of Governor Rell’s hefty use of her veto power; (5) democratic incumbents at the State are not to blame for the current economic pitfall – that can be traced directly to republican deregulation initiatives that were put into place on the federal level.
Welch said nothing and he looked good while doing it. Last night, Welch said that the quality that made him the most qualified to be our Senator was his “vision” (he didn’t elaborate). Seriously, this guy was all flash and no substance. Why would Welch just glaze over his “five step plan” and bore us with talk of “buckets” instead of giving voters the actual details of what he will and will not do when elected. It is not enough to say that “I will look into this or that subject”, or generally cut “unnecessary” unfunded mandates. As Jerry Macguire said, “show me the money.” What does Welch have to hide? I, for one, wish that Colapietro would have pointed out that Welch’s tea party theory of government (less government oversight and involvement over business) is precisely the kind of thinking that got us into this economic mess we’re in. (You can blame the republican-led federal deregulation of the finance industry for the industry-wide bad loans that caused the mortgage crisis, the credit crunch and the recession)
....
....
The problem with Welch (and the reason that I’m voting for Colapietro), is that Welch is a mystery man. I don’t want that in an elected official. The voters should know what we are getting for our money. Electing a senator is a big investment. Electing an unknown involves a lot of risk, especially when that unknown has a history of tinkering with the tea party.
Sure, Welch could turn out to be our own Seabiscuit. However, I am not interested in buying a horse if I can’t check his teeth first and ride him around the field a bit. Tom is the old tried and true, and while my heart might yearn for a younger, leaner model, at least I know that when push comes to shove, Tom will cross the finish line and he’ll take Bristol with him.
Tom: thank you for saving our vocational/technical school from being closed by the State, for saving our courthouse from being closed by the State, and for making sure that our Memorial Boulevard was put to rights after it was vandalized. You have your rough edges, but you have proven that you are there for Bristol and that you are a reasonable, dependable voice (and vote) in turbulent times. I will vote for you on Tuesday.
I haven't reported on the nuttiness outside the congressional debates either, where the passions have also run high. That's a deliberate choice because I figure in the limited space we have, most voters would want to know more of what the candidates say rather than what some of their loonier followers yell.
Believe me, though, the boisterous behavior is coming fromo some on both sides.
I didn't see what happened outside last night so I can't say if it was better or worse than I've seen elsewhere.
12:37
I doubt that Zoppo would go against the Barns: they have helped her all along.
Great pro-union response Steve
Steve,
Your story was one of the worst reports I have ever seen as to what took place last night and I think you should apologize to both Jason and Tom. If they took the time to go and put themselves out there then you owe it to all of us to write and accurate report of what took place. I would always be the first to defend you, but this time I know you could have and should have done better.
to 2:02
You obviously are somebody that would have voted for Tom Colapietro no matter what because you don't care that Tom really has not made any effort to come up with an idea on how to fix the budget mess. He managed to call the very same people who go to the tech school dumb and uneducated. He offers no solutions and takes no blame at all for the mess we are in. I am voting for Jason Welch!!
Well, Steve, did you see the moderator try to quiet the few thugs that were still inside for the second debate? They talked loudly whenever Betts was speaking, and kept quiet for Covello. And the intimidation thing outside was something I'd have never believed till I saw it. The Democrat supporters were disgusting, and the Republican supporters were polite. Tells you something.
The Democrats have a super majority in both house of governement and can over ride a veto at any time. The only time they have been able to do it is when it was time to get Dan Malloy an extra 3 million dollars to run his campaign. The legislature apporoves and passes the budget not the Governor. Wake up and be real people the Mess we are in and the current budget mess can be put on our very own Tom Colapietro and he has vote for every tax and spending increase that has been proposed for the last 18 years.
He says he is for the death penalty, but has voted to abolish it every time it has come up for a vote. He sends out mailers that are filled with lies and says nothing about his ideas or solutions to these problems. It is just time to put Tom out to pasture and get some real representation in Hartford.
Be sure to watch all the debates on Nutmeg TV. Comcast Ch. 96, ATT U-verse Ch. 99.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27TH TONITE: 8:30PM Bristol District 77 Debate;
9:30PM Bristol District 79 Debate
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28TH: 8:30PM Bristol District 78 Debate
9:30PM Bristol District 31 Debate
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30TH: 8:30PM Bristol District 77 Debate
9:30PM Bristol District 79 Debate
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST; 8:30PM Bristol District 78 Debate
9:30PM Bristol District 31 Debate
Have you seen the videos of people screaming at John Larson as he enters the debates? Don't make the mistake of thinking it's all on one side.
4:04 -- You are entitled to your opinion. It's certainly nothing to brag about. But you try writing up a debate in 30 minutes and see how it goes.
Did tom look in the mirror to see how stupid that hair piece looks.
4:14 poster,
the unioin thugs speaking loud when Betts talked was Lydem and Potosa. The leaders of the thugs. Wonder why everytime the thugs come out to bully Potosa is there.....seems to be a pattern.
TOM AND HIS BUDDY PETOSA will get educated next tuesday
Collins:
I know you're trying to be fair to both sides, but please...give us a break.
No one in Connecticut (or most anywhere) is as obnoxious, belligerent and over-agressive as the unions and their thugs, not to mention bending and untruthful.
If you don't recognize that fact you are surely partisan.
Hey know what Welch’s BA is in economics. So he was an economist before he was a lawyer. I mean why would we want a person who understands both money and law in office? IDK just saying if I were looking over resumes’ I know who id hire to run my company and who I would hire to work in my company. Welch to run it tom to sweep the floor. Tom knowing who to read a micrometer doesn’t mean you know how to lead an organization
Jason, get real. What commissioner is going to cut the governors appointments?
Would you initiate legislation that wouldlimit appointments, would sunset some current appointments?
Do you have ANY idea as to the way legislation and other approved policies are implemented?
12:37
If Zoppo is behind Colapietro, then I understand why Ward is not.
6:32 -- There's plenty of thuggery to go around.
Admit you three you'd vote for Jason just because he's a republican, And if he was so great why doesn't he brag about a job he stayed at? Because he wasn't as good as you think?
It's amazing how partisan people can be. I watched the debate through the videos posted on the press website. I honestly believe that if people simply read a transcript of the statements without knowing who said them, Welch would have won the debate hands down. People just get so entrenched in their party affiliations that they blindly follow their party's candidate. I am an independent, but can not wait to support Welch on Tuesday. Mr. Colapietro did not impress me one bit. Not once did he offer any solutions, not one.
But I admit there are thugs in the GOP. A few in Bristol come to mind right away.
But let's get real here. It's no comparison to the amount of thugs from the Democrat Party And they're paid by the unions or Acorn to be there. I believe you don't know what you're talking about Collins. But you are incapable of ever admitting you're wrong.
11:16 The BIGGEST difference here is the cowards in the republican party that bash everyone including unions who they accept their money gladly.And don't have the guts to say who they are . They are the real cowardly bullies.
9:17 Boy you are a real partison hack or pretty naive. Remember people aren't as dumb as you. We can see and read, I didn't see it that way. I don't believe for one minute that you are an independant. You fit right in here with these cowards.
6:56 How come he was so many things? And now he is an insurance claims adjuster. Big deal. More $$$$$$$$$$$$$ maybe?
It's still Halloween for these gools on here . It kinda takes the fun out of the holiday when it's Halloween on here all the time. Smile you're on scare tactics. That's all these creeps know.I'm not scared!
10:35 No I think you should start with insurance premiums. I don't ever remember them coming down.And you have to insure everything.
Brian:
I'd be surprised if Tommie Toupe' can even read a micrometer accurately.
Yeha Touipe', we need more morons like you in the manufacturing trade. That's why Asia's been kicking our butts for 25 years.
Toupe's script sounded like it was written by dunder-head Ellen.
Ellen, his biggest and newest hack, is eyeing the 31st seat for when Tommie retires.
Hey Steve one of the thugs at the debate the other night heckling Jason welch when he came in was the new Democratic Registrar of Voters Mary Rydingsward.
I hope when she iss worn in she knows a few election laws before she has this city in court from her stupidity.
Hey Steve how come it is no big deal that tommy's buddy can go to the Park Deptment on the city's time to hand out Colapietro stuff on tax players time??????
Rydingsward, Dr. Breakdown and former Atty. Wacko are three birds of a feather (odd acting, ultra-liberal, immature, sophomoric neo-hippies)
October 28, 2010 3:37 PM:
Are you kidding? It doesn't surprise me that Rydingsward is a classless moron. Most liberals really are.
Colapietro has been outclassed and out campaigned. I am amazed that you people won't open your eyes and be objective. As a lifelong Bristol resident, I can assure you "he's not one of us". It seems that liberals and unions want people in office that don't think for themselves but rather just do what they're told. Tom has had a nice career of doing that and truth be told that is why you guys like him. I would think that he would have a grasp on something after all that experience - yet he shows up with mindless dribble and ramblings. Open up your minds and your eyes. Keep sending the same type of people to represent you and keep getting the same results!
Jason, thank you for being a class act with your campaign. You have my vote as well.
4:11 Lying again. Getting desperate? Ha Ha Ha no wonder you lazy phonies can't win a campaign. You're too busy following Tom's friends around. Try a truthful campaign for a while you might win something. Show you have any guts like Tom and put your name out there.I know never happen so when you lie all the time who can believe you?
3:43 PM: Truthful campaign??? Tommie wouldn't know the truth if it came up and kicked him in the behind. He needs to go!!!
3:43 There ya go talking about yourselves again. "Useless" Liars
Go Tom Colapietro "He's one of us" not you
"Anonymous babies"??? Ah, I see Colapietro's #1 Fan is hard at work again. Guess somebody has to be in Tommie's corner.
7:01 I see you must be one of those anonymous babies
Go Tom Colapietro "He's one of us" Not like these anonymous "useless" Babies. No macho men here just three wusses.
Ellen Zoppo's use of the service groups she is employed by to promote Colapietro pushes ethical lines and should be investigated.
Ellen Zoppo is employed by both the Family Center and the Historical Society. She has used her position in both these organizations to promote Colapietro's campaign.
Is she a dunce or just shameless?
Earth---
Senator Colapietro has arranged for assistance for each group.
Why shouldn't he get recognition?
More GOP trash Blah. Blah. Blah.
Never changes but what do you expect from hatemongering radicals?
Post a Comment