Richard Blumenthal (or why the NRSC is about to stop returning Rob Simmons' calls.)

[Clio the Leo]

With thanks to the delightful Dave Weigel for inspiring the thread title...

Richard Blumenthal
He was supposed to be president. So why is he only Connecticut's attorney general?
By David Plotz
Posted Friday, Sept. 15, 2000, at 8:30 PM ET

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal—catalyst of state lawsuits against Microsoft, Big Tobacco, and now HMOs—is inspiring an emotion that he surely has never inspired before: sympathy. Blumenthal, after all, is the perennial golden boy of New England politics. He's smart, handsome, and rich. He has a great job suing the bejesus out of nefarious corporations. He's nicknamed "Mr. Perfect." Why would anyone feel sorry for him?

Blumenthal, once one of the most promising young Democratic pols in the nation, is languishing. He saw his bid for a federal appeals court judgeship collapse this summer, as the Clinton administration decided he couldn't win Senate approval before Clinton's term ends. Then, when Al Gore named Joe Lieberman as his running mate, Blumenthal seemed to have a free pass to Lieberman's Senate seat. If Lieberman decided to drop his Senate campaign, Blumenthal would have replaced him on the November ballot and waltzed to victory. (There is only token GOP opposition.) But Lieberman is continuing his Senate campaign, so if Gore loses the presidential race, Lieberman will remain in the Senate. And if Gore wins, GOP Gov. John Rowland will appoint a Republican to replace Lieberman. To move up to Washington, Blumenthal would have to wage a tough fight against the GOP incumbent in 2002. (It's also possible that the legislature could call a special election for 2001.) Blumenthal was supposed to be "the Jewish Kennedy." Now the 54-year-old finds himself in the autumn of his career fighting for Joe Lieberman's sloppy seconds.

<snip>

Unlike most politicians, who become more restrained the longer they serve, Blumenthal has responded to his years of frustration by becoming ever more feisty as attorney general. He pushed the Microsoft suit even as he was passing on the 1998 governor's race. He joined the AGs' assault on gun manufacturers as his potential appeals court seat was slipping away. Last week, as it became clear that Lieberman wouldn't step aside for him, Blumenthal filed the first major class-action lawsuits against HMOs, demanding that four Connecticut insurers improve their patient appeal process, pay doctors promptly, and provide better information about prescription drug coverage. It is just the kind of nasty, fun, popular, and questionable legal battle Blumenthal relishes, and just what he would miss if he ever does make it to the Senate.

(more)
http://www.slate.com/id/89649/

Related to...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=111396&mesg_id=111396

[angee_is_mad]

1. Good background info

thanks.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. So Lieberman robbed us. Double whammy.

I swear if Gore had named a decent man for a running mate, he would not have lost. I swear Lieberman fully expected to lose. Intended to even.

I hate him. I really really hate him. I want to not hate people, but I really hate that traitorous warmongering SOB.

[rockymountaindem]

3. "The Jewish Kennedy"

Awwwww yeah!

It's been a rough day. Here's the silver lining :)

[dkf]

4. If only Lieberman had stepped down to run for VP.

He couldn't even do that. We should have known he was only in it for himself. RAT.

[dkf]

5. This guy might be worth a donation.

Hmm. I'll be watching.