Courtney Takes a Look.
WFSB’s essential Dennis House reports that Congressman Joseph Courtney sounds interested in making a run for the 2012 Democratic nomination for the United States Senate. This will cause consternation in the Chris Murphy camp and Susan Bysiewicz bunker.
Murphy’s campaign is counting on Democrats recognizing and succumbing to the inevitability of his ambition. He hopes to combine that with fast success in fundraising and endorsements to score an early knockout against the wounded former secretary of the state. That scenario would allow Murphy to become the anointed candidate this year and enter 2012 with only a Republican between him and the big prize.
Bysiewicz’s hopes rest on her sharp elbows and a detachment from reality that allows her to carry on. She has mistaken responses to 12 years of haranguing donors for a loyal base of givers. She will stagger along because there’s nothing else for her to do after her annus horribilis of 2010. She runs because she must. A two candidate race allows her to continue as the only alternative to Murphy, no matter how anaemic the results of her exertion. A three candidate race that includes Courtney will see Bysiewicz isolated and bereft of the accessories that accompany a serious campaign. She’ll start to resemble Rob Simmons in August.
Courtney brings a host of strengths to the fight with Murphy. He’s wildly popular among Democrats in the 2nd congressional district. He made many Democratic friends around the state by making a kamikaze run for lieutenant governor in 1998, when it was clear running-mate Barbara Kennelly was doomed. Courtney’s voting record in Congress is more nuanced than the rigidly ideological Murphy. Courtney voted against TARP in 2008 and supported continuing the Bush tax cuts late last year. The ranks of Connecticut Democrats still include nests of active moderates. Courtney would be a natural choice for them against Murphy. He’d also be a hit in Fairfield County’s important Democratic contributing class.
The question is will Courtney risk his safe seat in Congress for a once in a lifetime opportunity to snatch a Senate seat. He’s getting his first taste of life in the minority, and he probably does not like it. He’s not a careerist in the Murphy mode, and many regular folks find that a rare asset. He walked away from his seat in the state legislature in 1994 when he really could spend time with his young family. He had the grit to run a second time against incumbent Republicans Simmons in 2006, four years after losing to him, ousting the three-term incumbent. He knows how to assess and wait for his moment. You couldn’t blame him for thinking it has again arrived.
9 comments
Joe Courtney is a shoe-in for US Senate. He has the same prestige as Richard Blumenthal. He is much more a moderate than Chris Murphy. Suzie Q got more baggage than Imelda Markos. Voters in the 2nd District will be more than willing to re-anoint their ruler as co-ruler of all Connecticut.
The 2nd District is lounging in the lap of luxury. Joltin-Joe has created heaven on earth in eastern Connecticut. No wonder he got 60% of the vote. Please 2nd District, the rest of the state begs you to let Joe go. We want our end of the state to be as prosperous and overflowing with jobs as yours is. Joe can do it!
After all, he’s a king in your neck of the woods!
I actually think Joe Courtney might be good for Bysiewicz… the free thinkers will be forced to choose between Courtney and Murphy, giving Susie B’s followers (and yes, there are a fanatical few true believers) a chance to make a difference for her.
My sense is she loses handidly in a head to head with either of the Gentlemen from Connecticut. Turning her opponents against one another may be the only path to victory.
Rennie. What’s your beef w/ Rob Simmons? Your goddess, Linda McMahon, got her clock cleaned and lost by 12 points to Blumenthal.
And almost every sane pundit has said that Rob would’ve been a better candidate against Blumenthal. And polling shows that again in Murphy’s numbers. Jesus. Get over yourself.
I think the more crowed the field the better for Bysiewicz, no? Murphy and Courtney both would split all that DC money and they have more similarities than differences on policy. They would pull their respective districts and Bysiewicz holds the rest of the state.
Murphy’s assuming the Left will just fawn all over him. A closer view of his crony capitalism record will disabuse many that this son of a bond lawyer really represents progressive values–unless of course, a PAC check come along for the ride.
Simmons would be a horrible candidate because he would generate no enthusiasm among conservatives. For any Republican to have even an outside chance of winning, he or she would have to garner at least 95% of the Republican vote. Simmons is a liberal. I will not vote for anyone with his views on abortion.
Linda is just barely conservative enough that I can comfortably vote for her. The only politician in the entire state worth a damn is Sam Caligiuri.
I hope Joe runs for the open Senate seat in 2012. If he looses, we all win…no more King courtnery for the second district and the country will be saved from another pro-union progressive in DC.
Of course the Ds and progressives will continue to win, in CT, if the Rs don’t put trained poll watchers in EVERY town!
Has Chris Shays weighed in? He rather publicly considered getting into the gubernatorial race last year and I believe purchased a condo in Bridgeport that should resolve any residency issues. Also, if he still has any outstanding debt from his 2008 campaign I’d imagine running another Federal campaign would resolve that issue as well.
Joe Courtney is a class act. He would be a great candidate, and probably the best candidate for the November election since the 2nd encompasses more than 1/3 of the towns in the state.