Ask Ructions: Healing Wounds in a Hurry.
Dear Ructions,
Many people seem to be aware of acidic strife causing trouble among Republicans in a western Connecticut town. The situation threatens to defeat local Republicans this year and next. With two weeks left before the town election, would you suggest a way to bind the wounds?
Sign me,
A House Divided
Dear Divided,
Take a lesson from the New Haven Democrats. They have rallied around the winner of their September primary for mayor, Justin Elicker. Embattled incumbent Toni Harp, who is on the Working Families Party line, wants to revive her dormant campaign for a last ditch lunge at victory. State Democratic leaders and Attorney General William Tong appeared along with local officials at a Sunday rally for Elicker, sending a message of unity to Democratic voters. Those leaders know that bitter local divisions can endure for many destructive election cycles.
One of the many challenges for Connecticut Republicans is that they have no elected leaders in statewide office. You’ll need to need to be creative. Invite as many Republican office holders as you can find to headline an event next weekend. Ask your guests to make calls to both factions to ask them to attend. State Senator George Logan knows how to inspire a crowd. The beloved Nancy Johnson can still argue a brief. Maybe Jodi Rell has not left for Florida and could make an appearance. Make it a child-friendly event (who does not enjoy a bounce house?) because adults cannot be too hard on each other with children in the room.
Reminders of the consequences of handing the common adversary a victory always help. While defeating their intra-party nemesis may please the leaders of the revolt, others will bear the chill of the wilderness. Handing a win to the other side will mean people enjoying making a contribution to community life will be tossed off boards and commissions because their party lost control of town government.
If you are impaled on the horns of a dilemma and want to risk receiving advice, send a message to kfr@dailyructions.com. Identities will be protected. Messages may be edited.