The speaker card of candidates for governor was interrupted to make way for what became a star turn for Corey Brinson, a Republican seeking the nomination for Secretary of the State. The 29 year old lawyer won the loudest applause of the night with his brief, stirring biography. His grandfather came to the United States during WWII to work at a New Jersey factory making bomb casings that were used “to bomb the Nazis.”

Brinson took a couple of tart shots at Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz’s troubles, winning the biggest laugh of a largely humorless night–and probably harvested some delegates, too.

Mercy, the Republicans running (or about to be running) for governor did go on Thursday night at a forum at Vito’s By the Water in Windsor.

I missed the first few minutes of Lt. Governor Michael Fedele’s remarks. He spoke first and set the tone. Heavy on cliches and mighty low on substance. He made the most startling remark of the night: “I’m another Scott Brown.” Yoiks, I don’t think so. He’s been an insider, not an outsider. If he thinks the state’s been taken in the wrong direction by Governor M. Jodi Rell, he’s kept that to himself.

Former Congressman Lawrence DeNardis recited his long resume. He was the youngest delegate to the 1965 Connecticut constitutional convention. He’s “deeply troubled by out state of affairs in Connecticut.” Join the club, but solutions were not included in DeNardis’s long talk. You may recall him as one of the Republican Gypsy Moths in Congress who tormented Ronald Reagan during the first two years of his presidency.

Nelson “Oz” Griebel, wants a constitutional amendment to protect transportation funding. He’ll “think big” and “speak candidly,” as governor, and [Cliche Alert] act “outside the box.” He’s going to bring smart people together, though there was no evidence on Thursday he’d yet convened that meeting.

Chester First Selectman Tom Marsh owes everyone in that room $250 for the stream of consciousness therapy session we provided. There can be no other description of what the audience endured in his rambling, chaotic, time-stood-still turn at the podium. He wants to use “the power of shame” in governing, but is immune to it himself. He mistook as encouragement what sounded from the back of the room like the beginnings of a slow-clap to get him to stop.

Mark Boughton provided an anecdote to all that preceded him with a crisp review of how he’s made a success of his five terms as mayor of Danbury. Among the candidates for governor at Thursday’s event, he was the most personable and enthusiastic. If any candidate moves out of the pack to challenge the two leaders, it will probably be Boughton. He trailed second place Fedele in last week’s Q-Poll by only 2 points.

Tom Foley, former ambassador to Ireland, says he has a plan. You can read it on his website. He mentioned it will reduce state government spending by $1 billion. What about the other $3 billion in each year of the next biennium? The Greenwich millionaire isn’t taking public campaign funds, and called upon the other Republicans to “renounce” public financing. They might if Foley will pledge not to deploy his fortune in the race. Foley did speak about the “knowledge corridor” in central Connecticut with what threatened to become enthusiasm.

Jeff Wright, mayor of Newington, is thinking about running for governor. He said something about Newington’s voter registration being similar to Massachusetts’s. Everyone wants his Scott Brown metaphor. He tested his campaign of 3 C’s. I counted 4, but my attention was flagging by the time Wright spoke.

It was generous of the local party leaders who organized the event to give everyone a chance to speak. The audience remained polite, attentive, and in the room. All the candidates but Fedele endured the crucible to the end.

I’ve summarized as much as I dare. This field will narrow before the state party convention in May.