Paul Vance: We Can Beat Nancy Johnson

[wrkclskid]

Hey fellow Nutmeggers, I stumbled upon these two interviews J. Paul Vance, Jr. did on the Connecticut Local Politics Blog. I have to say I was very impressed. The other candidate in the race, Chris Murphy, has always struck me as a real phoney. Plus, he just moved into the district four months ago to run! I don't know how he expects that to play politically.

http://connecticutlocalpolitics.blogspot.com/2005/07/alderman-j-paul-vance-interview.html

http://connecticutlocalpolitics.blogspot.com/2005/07/qa-with-paul-vance.html

Vance strikes me as the real deal, and I would personally love to see the Democrats take the fight to Johnson.

I wanted to donate, but he doesn't have a website up. Luckily he was set up with Act Blue, so I went through there:

http://www.actblue.com/directory/federal/house-af

I urge everyone to check him out.

[NewJeffCT]

1. I will check it out

thanks for the link. It would be great to be able to take down Johnson, but it will be a tough struggle.

[wrkclskid]

2. It will be tough

But almost anything really worth it is! The district has a slight Dem registration average and many of the rural towns in the north west corner went for Kerry in 2004. Dems just need to show the vcters that Nancy Johnson has taken them for granted and is too buys trying to Chair Ways and Means. It will be a tough fight, but not impossible.

[JerseygirlCT]

3. Haven't read the article yet

But I have to say that I've been pretty impressed with Chris thus far. He's been my rep, then state senator, and he's been very responsive. In fact, my e-mails are usually answered the same day. He still goes door to door to campaign, and listens.

He moved from Southington to Cheshire -- maybe in order to oppose Nancy Johnson (as a good chunk of Southington is now Larsen's territory, thank goodness). Not exactly a huge move, and completely w/in his (senatorial) district.

I won't be voting in the race in either case (see above and Larsen), but boy, it'd be great to see Johnson get her come-uppance this time!

[Liberalgirl788]

5. Time for Nancy Johnson to retire

I too would like to see Chris Murphy beat Nancy Johnson. Anybody that respects ALL PEOPLE has got my support. I have a good Rep in Jim O'Rourke who was for civil unions and I wish could step up but also have a 90 year old "Blowhard Billy" for my State Senator who should step down.

[JanusAscending]

6. Hey there!!

Greetings from Thomaston Ct. I just returned from our monthly Dem. Town Comm. Meeting, and Chris was the speaker. I must say I was very impressed!! Looking forward to him getting his web site up and running. A month or so ago, Sgt. Paul Vance attended the meeting to let us know his son was running. Daddy is a pretty nice guy, and he gave out biogrophys on his son. There was a scheduling conflict, so his son couldn't make it. I have yet to read the threads listed above, but I will. I read one of the earlier posts by the person who thought Chris "came off as a phony". I tried not to let it influence my impression of him, and it turns out it didn't at all. Like I said he "has the whole package" I was quite impressed!! Good to talk to someone from CT!!

[JerseygirlCT]

7. Yes, as I said, I've traded e-mails

a few times with him, and have spoken to him in person more than once -- when he came walking into our neighborhood, campaigning. (We almost all ran inside to hide, seeing someone walking around in a suit, until I pointed out that the nice LDS boys always travel in pairs!)

He's very nice, straightforward, energetic. He's made some mistakes I'm sure, but I know he's been quite genuine in office. I've been rooting for him, personally.

Thanks for the nice hello!

[NewJeffCT]

8. what sort of mistakes?

we have to be prepared for RW mudslinging & propaganda.

[JerseygirlCT]

9. I'm trying to remember

I know there was a bill he was touting -- had something to do with insurance -- and I remember my husband pointing out something on it that was just plain silly. He'd really missed the boat. Damned if I can remember now, though!

I'm just saying, I'm sure they're there -- he's human. But I can't remember anything major, certainly. I think he's made something of an impression among his peers there, too -- at least that's my impression from reading.

I know I shouldn't have said anything since I cannot remember the instance I was thinking about. Apologies!

[JerseygirlCT]

4. Read the 2 pieces

and I have to say that though he comes across as well-spoken, the Waterbury roots leave me uneasy.

Chris Murphy has a terrific record on women's rights and gay rights. Where's Vance there? How would he have voted this year on abolishing the death penalty?

I have a state rep ("Corky" Mazurek) who calls himself a Dem, but in my opinion might as well be a Rep. I've never received a response to my mail to him, ever. He's another native Waterbury guy (like, need I say, Rowland?) all proud of his blue-collar roots but all to ready to throw women and gays over the side. I don't want another one of them in CT.

What do you know? I'm listening, truly.

[AX10]

10. Shays will most likely be defeated in 06'.

Simmons is in the same situation. Johnson, however, will be a tough fight. She got 60% last year and is in the redest part of the state.
Lot's of rural redneck types out there who like a right wing wack job.

For the record, Shays won by 3.6% in 2004. His closest margin ever. His biggest margin was 30 percent.

[NewJeffCT]

11. simmons got re-elected when the Groton sub-base was saved

he ran his '04 campaign on the fact that he could save the sub base... and, even though it was more Rell & the whole Congressional delegation, I'm sure the radio ads will trumpet Simmons' part.