Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

The short, fast life of a political gaffe

  • by Mark Pazniokas
  • May 2, 2013
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy knew the drill. The last step in dealing with a political gaffe is address the press, take a few questions, smile and say something mildly dismissive like, “You know, we’re pretty much done with it.”

And so it was that Malloy waited for reporters to surround him Thursday evening outside the State Capitol and ask questions about him reimbursing People magazine $1,234 for his trip to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

A TV reporter asked about the previous day’s claim by Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, that Malloy violated state ethics laws by accepting a freebie to one of D.C.’s hottest political/social events.

“You know, Sen. McKinney says lots of things,” Malloy said, smiling. “I just decided to head the whole thing off, rather than take away from the important work, for instance, on education reform, that has to be done.”

He spoke after leaving an education rally to applause.

“You know,” he said, “we’re pretty much done with it.”

A print reporter noted that the statement issued by his office about the reimbursement was defiant, not apologetic. It made a case that Malloy was justified, because he talked business at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“It’s not defiant,” Malloy said. “I work really hard. And I gave you a snapshot of some of the work I did.  This has taken on a life of its own, and I just thought it was better to end it.”

But does the reimbursement say it was a bad political call by him to attend the dinner on People’s tab?

Malloy smiled, then slightly went off message, assuming the goal was to be seen as taking responsibility.

“You know, I gotta tell you, my staff makes a lot of decisions about where I go,” Malloy said. “This was thought, because of what we’re trying to do on digital media, as well as public policy on other issues that were referenced in the press release, that this was a good opportunity.”

He paused.

“In retrospect, you know, probably shouldn’t have done it,” Malloy said. “Pretty straightforward.”

He made the admission of a gaffe, albeit without a pronoun, first person or otherwise.

McKinney, a potential GOP challenger for the Democratic governor in 2014, said Malloy’s decision to reimburse was a tacit acknowledgement he shouldn’t have let People pay his way.

The senator noted he generally applauds Malloy’s travels, such as his attending the economic conference in Davos, Switzerland. No matter how diligently Malloy talked up Connecticut at the correspondents’ dinner Saturday night, McKinney said, the governor still was at a party.

But McKinney acknowledged that Malloy’s actions Thursday most likely ended a controversy that erupted at 2:31 p.m. on a Wednesday and was pretty much knocked down by noon on Thursday.

The governor’s former senior adviser, Roy Occhiogrosso, a communication strategist who is expected to advise Malloy’s re-election campaign next year, was willing to see the flap as a quick drill on how to respond to “a distraction.”

“They were smart,” Occhiogrosso said, taking care to employ the third-person. “I think the faster you can make a distraction go away — and that’s all this was — the better off you are.”

“A mistake many people make is they don’t act quickly,” Occhiogrosso said. Of his old boss, he said, “He doesn’t have that problem.”

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Pazniokas

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Connecticut’s COVID restrictions to end on May 19
by Mark Pazniokas

Connecticut will end its COVID-19 restrictions in two steps: May 1 for outdoor activities and May 19 for everything else.

In-person classes to resume at CT state colleges in the fall
by Adria Watson

In-person classes will resume at state colleges this fall, with mask-wearing and social-distancing requirements still in effect, officials said Monday. The announcement came at Gateway Community College on Monday, where leaders from colleges and universities in Connecticut joined Gov. Ned Lamont to discuss what campus life will look like this upcoming academic year. “I think […]

Current K-12 students could claim religious exemption to vaccines under amended bill
by Jenna Carlesso

The legislation, which is expected to pass the House, would remove the religious exemption beginning in September 2022.

Eviction moratorium extended until public health emergency order ends
by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

The state moratorium hasn't completely eliminated evictions, which are now at about half the level they were before the pandemic.

There’s a plan to get rid of property tax on cars. But how would towns make up the difference?
by Keith M. Phaneuf

Adjusting the 70% assessment ratio on homes is one option

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Redistricting in Connecticut 2021: It is worth your attention
by Patricia Rossi

This is the year for redistricting in the United States. Maps drawn in 2021 will define which voters can vote for which candidates for the next ten years.  That means ensuring that the 2021 maps are fair and representative of their communities is critically important.

Opinion Lembo: Legislators should let constituents share the success of their health plan.
by Comptroller Kevin Lembo

The health care crisis in Connecticut continues. Bills under consideration in Connecticut expand subsidies, attempt to lower prescription drug costs and address long-standing health care inequities. There is room to incorporate the best of each if it helps make health care in our state more affordable, equitable and accessible. But Senate Bill 842 is the only bill that provides short and long-term help for small businesses, nonprofits and certain labor unions.

Opinion Will the Comptroller open the state-run healthcare plan’s books?
by Wyatt Bosworth

What choices do you have when you cannot defend a policy issue on its merits? One path is that chosen by former New Britain Democratic Town Committee chair Bill Shortell in his April 14 Viewpoints opinion piece, “Debunking the CBIA’s takedown of the public option healthcare bill.” Instead of defending any perceived merits associated with the proposed expansion of state-run healthcare in Connecticut, Shortell attacks the messenger. In this case, two organizations that have raised legitimate —and unanswered— questions about that proposal.

Opinion Climate action now to insure Connecticut’s future
by Commissioners Andrew Mais and Katie Dykes

Connecticut has had nine weather-related federal disaster declarations in the past 11 years, totaling more than $362 million in damages. For Storms Irene, Sandy, and the 2011 October Nor’easter, insurers paid out more than $1 billion to cover insured damages in Connecticut. The climate crisis is upon us. The science is clear. We must act now.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO