[mdovell]

It's early and I think it will get ugly by the fall if more comes out on both sides.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I think they see it but weigh it against other things like the states vastly improved fiscal situation or his handling of the pandemic.

Then there’s the extremity of the Republican candidate. If Stefanowski is renominated, people will likely question his true position on the issues. He seems to pander to extreme voters and that is a major turnoff. As I said thousands of times here, if the Republicans truly want to win the Governor’s office they have to nominate a better more moderate candidate than they have in the past. Jay

Sorry but I don’t see anything extreme about Stefanowski. By “extreme” when it comes to conservative, I view that to be socially right wing. That’s not the case. I’m not advocating that he’s wonderful, but extreme? No.

By comparison, Lamont has embraced the socially extreme viewpoints of the left. It’s hard to argue otherwise.

[Chazbme99]

Stefanowski will be very competitive in this race. I don't trust the polls and media. They have a liberal bias and try to put down every Republican candidate. People are getting sick of this woke time and the Democrats are in trouble in this state and all over the country. Lamont is a very weak leader and should not be praised for his handling of Covid. He tried to follow NY and Como and even RI. Covid money is being wasted and it was all being controlled by Lamont. It will be interesting to see how much fraud and waste happened with all this covid money. CT is flush with cash because of federal covid money and also our high taxes. Stefanowski has plenty of time to expose Lamont and really campaign in the right manner. He learned a lot from the last election. Lamont will be vulnerable just like many other Democrats all over the country. I can't wait to see my posts edited by our power hungry moderator. Gotta love the fake Republicans in this state trying to push and hype up liberal democrats and their woke leadership. 40 years of Democrat control has ruined this state. The legislature and the career politicians are the problem.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Sorry but I don’t see anything extreme about Stefanowski. By “extreme” when it comes to conservative, I view that to be socially right wing. That’s not the case. I’m not advocating that he’s wonderful, but extreme? No.

By comparison, Lamont has embraced the socially extreme viewpoints of the left. It’s hard to argue otherwise.

In most states, Stefanowski would be too far left to survive a party primary.

When it comes to being soft on criminal justice issues, Lamont has been the playdoh the left-wing legislature desires. Shape him as you want. He never pushes back.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Sorry but I don’t see anything extreme about Stefanowski. By “extreme” when it comes to conservative, I view that to be socially right wing. That’s not the case. I’m not advocating that he’s wonderful, but extreme? No.

By comparison, Lamont has embraced the socially extreme viewpoints of the left. It’s hard to argue otherwise.

I’d say that Stefanowski’s proposal to eliminate the income tax during his last run for Governor was extreme. He had no definitive plan to replace what is the state’s largest source of revenue. While a nice thought, it certainly was not realistic which is why I think he couldn’t persuade enough voters to flip from what was at that time a very unliked party. If he was more moderate in his approach he might have won.

This election, he has an even harder job. Lamont has done a decent job running the state. His handling of the pandemic has meant out state is one of least infected states in the country despite being hit so hard, so early in the pandemic. He’s been fiscally conservative which has meant the state is flush with money, is making advanced payments on its pension obligations and is cutting taxes by almost $600 million.

Lamont’s weaknesses are some minor corruption problems which have not got to him; the juvenile crime problem which appears to be being addressed with revisions to the laws; and the Democrats attack on self rule and zoning/affordable housing. While I am mad as hell about that, I’m not sure that is enough to warrant Stefanowski or any Republican to beat Lamont. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

In most states, Stefanowski would be too far left to survive a party primary.

When it comes to being soft on criminal justice issues, Lamont has been the playdoh the left-wing legislature desires. Shape him as you want. He never pushes back.

Come on now, that’s not even close to accurate. Jay

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I’d say that Stefanowski’s proposal to eliminate the income tax during his last run for Governor was extreme. He had no definitive plan to replace what is the state’s largest source of revenue. While a nice thought, it certainly was not realistic which is why I think he couldn’t persuade enough voters to flip from what was at that time a very unliked party. If he was more moderate in his approach he might have won.

That is how you start the ball rolling on a long overdue reduction in rates.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Come on now, that’s not even close to accurate. Jay

I stand by the comment. Juvenile crime is going to cost Lamont tons of votes. He has been a puppet of the radical left on the issue.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Lamont’s weaknesses are some minor corruption problems which have not got to him; the juvenile crime problem which appears to be being addressed with revisions to the laws; and the Democrats attack on self rule and zoning/affordable housing. While I am mad as hell about that, I’m not sure that is enough to warrant Stefanowski or any Republican to beat Lamont. Jay

The juvenile crime problem is being addressed? How so?

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

The juvenile crime problem is being addressed? How so?

It may have been addressed (see Juvenile Crime thread), but it’s just a cluster of more of the same manipulative verbiage intended to appease the masses so they can publicly pat themselves on the back and say “see? We did something”.

I actually laughed out loud when reading that bill. I cannot believe people buy it.