Should I donate to Jim Sullivan, Democrat running for US

[Eric J in MN]

Congress from CT-2?

http://www.sullivanforcongress.com/

[Happy Eddie]

1. Could be worth the investment; a few thoughts

This is a traditionally Democratic district. Sam Gejdensen held the seat for years, but was defeated narrowly by Rob Simmons in 2000. I wasn't well versed in district politics at the time, but my impression was that Sam lost the seat more than Simmons won it.

I'll try to recap a few threads. Jim Sullivan won the primary by a 2-1 margin, capitalizing on some name recognition, personal goodwill (he seems relatively devoid of personal enemies), and help from the labor unions and the state Democratic organization. Unfortunately, his challenger, Scott McNally, has left his website -- with a lot of anti-Sullivan material -- up for everybody to read, and does not appear reconciled to party unity.

Some of the criticism of Sullivan is that he's young, and a bit light on real-world political experience; he's been active in the small city of Norwich, but that's about it. Rob Simmons will definitely try to play the "experience" and "D.C. pork" cards. It's also possible that Sullivan will turn out not to be as energetic on the hustings as we'll need. Only time will tell that. (Our local newspaper endorsed, and I voted for, the challenger, largely because he appeared more eager to "bring the fight" to Simmons. McNally was most visible along the shore, where I live; Jim Sullivan overwhelmingly won the large inland part of our district.)

The word is that the national party wants to help Jim Sullivan. This district is historically Democratic, and Rob Simmons is not considered written in stone. (Simmons isn't a tinfoil Freeper, but he is a conservative loyalist who doesn't often break with the party.)

I've only met Jim briefly, and that was near the end of the hottest day of the summer, so I don't have a lot of personal perceptions to offer, but "calm" and "low-key" are definitely more apt than "firebrand". I have called up his HQ in Norwich and offered to put in some time doing office-boy stuff or whatever if that would help.

I was going to suggest you move here for a few months and maybe vote :) , but no doubt you're needed in Minnesota too.

Hope this helps.


(edited because of -- gosh! -- a mistake)

[Eric J in MN]

2. OK, thanks (nt)

nt

[NewJeffCT]

3. a bit more

Sam Gejdensen was not that popular, but managed to hang on to the seat for a good while, even winning 1 race by a whopping 2 votes. The district is pretty Democratic in its history and Simmons still struggled to beat little known Joe Courtney in 2002 when he ran.

[K-W]

4. I miss the Sam pot holders. NT

[K-W]

5. Its definately a winnable seat.

Sullivan hasnt proved to be anything special, but on the other hand Kerry may have very long coattails in liberal states.

[Happy Eddie]

6. It's winnable, all right

One thing I probably didn't emphasize enough in my overlong note to Eric is: Jim Sullivan won the primary against an experienced and intelligent opponent. It's actually pretty good practice for a politician who, as you note, hasn't proven a lot yet in his career; and the convincing nature of the victory shows an ability to win votes.

It's always uphill being a challenger. Sullivan have to campaign hard and get people out to the polls in November. He'll also have to withstand all sorts of surprises if the Replonks perceive the district as getting away.

In defense of Rob Simmons, he expressed public distaste for the phone-calling tactics of his Washington "helpers" last time out. (I think he should be saying more this time around, but he's not a dirty campaigner, especially by modern Repuke standards, please pardon the oxymoron.) And before that, Simmons might have won in the first place because Gejdensen's staff unleashed some sleaze against him. Experience begins to show that negativity doesn't do well in this district; but I'm not running the country, Karl Rove is, so I don't know what will happen on Halloween.

Anyway, I hope that Jim Sullivan will prevail and join Kerry and Edwards in helping to restore some class to the American political arena.


(edited for even more clarity :) )