The presidential campaign of Republican Donald J. Trump rolls into Hartford on Friday, an effort to solidify a lead that makes him the favorite to win 25 of the delegates at stake in the Connecticut primary on April 26. Three super delegates will remain unpledged.
Donald Trump
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Kasich may not excite, but he says he can beat Hillary
A playful John Kasich made his entrance on tiptoe Friday, sneaking in during a long-winded introduction by an old congressional pal, Chris Shays. Smiling broadly, Kasich signaled to the giggling crowd not to give him away as he edged forward. The path to the nomination in Cleveland is not as sure.
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As battle for delegates intensifies, so does interest in CT primary
WASHINGTON — As the presidential primary campaign enters its final stretch, competition for delegates by candidates from both parties has intensified, along with an interest in winning support in Connecticut.
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CT Right to Life slams Trump’s call to punish women who have banned abortions
WASHINGTON — Connecticut Right to Life on Friday slammed GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump, who said women who have abortions should face some form of punishment if the procedure is banned. The organization said the nation should not entrust the presidency to “a novice.” The Trump campaign has since backed off the statement.
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Republican Novak making third try for Courtney’s seat
WASHINGTON — It may be flying largely under the political radar, but there’s a race for the 2nd District congressional seat, pitting veteran Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat, against Republican Daria Novak. She hopes her third try for the job is a charm.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Why isn’t media asking presidential candidates about education?
It is difficult to believe as a life-long educator that the media has yet to ask any of the presidential candidates about their views on K-12 public education. It is a well known fact the public education in Connecticut and across the nation has suffered immensely as an outgrowth of the policies of the George W. Bush administration with its No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program. Likewise, public education continued its downward spiral as a result of President Barack Obama’s appointment of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who ushered in the disastrous Race to the Top along with the Common Core State Standards.
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CT has outside chance of tilting presidential primary contest
WASHINGTON – When it comes to presidential primaries, there are states that have a disproportionate impact and others little at all, and Connecticut may be in the latter category this year. But some say there’s a chance of relevance in this unpredictable political year.
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Bush departure opens field in CT for GOP presidential candidates
WASHINGTON – No GOP presidential candidate raised as much campaign money or made as many stops in Connecticut as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whose departure from the race gives those remaining in the GOP field a better shot at the state’s delegates. But members of the state’s Republican power structure haven’t, for the most part, indicated who they will support.
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Among CT campaign donors, Clinton overwhelms Sanders
WASHINGTON — The tight race in Iowa between Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders is not reflected in Connecticut among donors to the two candidates. As of Dec. 31, Clinton’s campaign had taken in six times as much as Sanders’.
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CT lawmakers help Dems hone strategy, message
BALTIMORE – Connecticut lawmakers are gathering here with their House Democratic colleagues to network and plan strategy in a key political year for their party. Connecticut’s all-Democratic House delegation has been in the minority since 2011 and likely will continue to be after November’s elections.
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CT mayors network, seek money and meet the Obamas in D.C.
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s mayors made their annual pilgrimage to Washington this week, looking for money, connections and ideas. The three-day conference, cut short for many by the prospect of a historic blizzard expected to hit Washington tomorrow, is a rare chance to meet President Obama, and much of his cabinet.
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Blumenthal, Murphy help block Syrian refugee bill
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate on Wednesday blocked a bill that has split the Connecticut delegation and would have required additional scrutiny for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, slowing their entry into the United States. “Our enemy is ISIL – not refugees,” Blumenthal said in a statement
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Obama’s action on guns fulfills promise to Newtown families
WASHINGTON — Tearing up as he spoke of the slaying of 20 Newtown first-graders, President Obama made an emotional appeal to the nation for support of his gun-control initiatives on Tuesday, saying, “Every time I think about those kids, it makes me mad.”
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A defense of U.S. Muslims as victims of jihadist terror
An Asian woman talked about the imprisonment of Americans of Japanese descent for three years during World War II. Noting the last night of Hanukkah, a rabbi recalled those times and places where Jews could only light their menorahs in secret. A gay man, now proudly out, talked about the days of being bullied as “the other.” They came to support America’s newest “other,” the Muslims.
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Civil rights groups at odds with CT lawmakers over visa program
WASHINGTON -– A coalition of civil rights groups have joined this week to condemn Congress’ response to the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino – including legislation supported by Connecticut’s Democratic lawmakers.