Ned Lamont Runs Out of Talking Points

Ned Lamont must not have had anything else to say as tonight’s Democratic gubernatorial debate edged to its conclusion.  More school construction, the Greenwich aristocrat suggested, would reduce the murder rate in Connecticut.  Dilapidated schools turn good kids bad and send them out into the streets with homicide burning in their hearts.

Lamont took a moment to boost Mystic, Connecticut as a tourist destination, urging the audience to vacation in Mystic.  I wonder when the Lamonts last spent a week of leisure in the historic shoreline community.

Party-endorsed candidate Dan Malloy drew on what appeared to be deeper well of knowledge in answering questions posed by the WVIT panel and viewers.  He’s not, however, a model of consistency.  Not long after Malloy volunteered that taxes in Connecticut are high, the former Stamford mayor  declared that he wants to expand the base of who pays taxes.  That means increases.

Neither candidate provided meaningful specifics on what spending they would cut.  They say government has failed but no one talked about programs that don’t work, aren’t needed, and should be eliminated.

Lamont tried to minimize his decision to forego the public financing of campaigns that has become Democratic orthodoxy.  Malloy didn’t go in for the kill. He must have attended a modern high school.