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A Tale of Three States

By on 5.26.10 @ 6:08AM

Even the big government Northeast is sick of big government.

Folks outside of the Northeast have long been perplexed by an apparent electoral anomaly; for years, these states that consistently send liberals to Congress have chosen Republicans as their governors. The GOP has held the title in Connecticut since 1995 while New York’s George Pataki reigned for twelve years until the disastrous election of Eliot Spitzer. New Jersey suffered through nearly a decade of financial degradation before electing Chris Christie.

Those of us who live in the area are pretty well convinced that the explanation for this is that our fellow northeasterners want a daddy in charge of our particular nanny states. Thus do they continue to elect what are euphemistically called fiscal conservatives, Rockefeller Republicans or most commonly, RINOs. That enables these folks to vote for candidates who are socially liberal — supporters of abortion, gay marriage, etc, — but keep an eye on finances; a combination which satisfies both their consciences and their pocketbooks.

Now these Rockefeller Republicans have always bowed to pressure from local liberals to grow government programs and fund their partisan groups, particularly teachers unions. But the times may be a-changin’, as they say. Republicans of the RINO genus are still on the prowl here, but they are developing quite a considerable set of horns. Take the newly elected governor of New Jersey. The deeds of the redoubtable Chris Christie are indeed incredible, beyond a doubt. In a few short months he has managed to enrage just about every liberal in the Garden State by slashing budgets, freezing teacher pay, cutting non-essential programs, and swiftly vetoing a so-called millionaire’s tax.

And although he may be moderate on a few issues, his words are like sweet music to the ears of conservatives. As a candidate he promised, “I will remake the court and I will remake it on this one simple principle: If you [want to] legislate, [then] run for the Legislature, don’t put on a black robe and go to the Supreme Court.” And when confronted by a reporter asking about his “confrontational” tone in support of school vouchers, he explained an essential difference between liberals and conservatives: “They believe in certain things. They believe in bigger government, higher taxes and more spending. I believe in less government, less taxes and in empowering local officials who were elected by their citizens. Now, I can see where there could be a disagreement or two.”

Over in New York, the big news was the hat tossed in the gubernatorial ring by Andrew Cuomo, son of the man Rush Limbaugh tagged, “Mario the Pious.” It seems that Merry Andrew has inherited none of his father’s purported oratorical skills. He burst into the campaign with this succinct and detailed summary of his plan for governance: “My mission is to develop an agenda for this state and develop support among the people. I believe if you do that successfully, the Legislature will pass an intelligent agenda supported by the people. Otherwise, you would have to believe that legislators would act adverse to the interests of the people of their district.” But the real surprise is that young Cuomo is said to be in favor of adopting some conservative stances like support for charter schools and caps on state spending and property taxes.

In nearby Connecticut, home of yours truly, the buzz is not about our gubernatorial contest, but surrounds the replacement for our ultra-liberal senator, Christopher Dodd. Short weeks ago, Republicans held moderate hopes of seeing Dodd’s seat go the way of his longtime pal Ted Kennedy’s. The fact that Dodd decided against defending his incumbency was evidence enough that Democrats were worried about affairs in the Nutmeg State, but they were confident that voters would flock to the side of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Of course, recent revelations from his past have severely wounded his chances.

Now in fairness, I must disclose that I have heard Blumenthal speak at more than a few veterans functions where it was common knowledge that he never saw active duty during the Vietnam era. That said, I wholeheartedly agree with many who characterize him as the worst AG in the nation and one of the most dangerous men in America. It is only fitting that WWE magnate Linda McMahon is prepared to go to the mat against him. And although she is also a RINO, she would be the first Republican senator — no, Lowell Weicker doesn’t count — from our state since Prescott Bush, father of George H.W. and granddaddy of George W.

So in New York and Connecticut, things are looking up for those of us tired of big government, high taxes and other countless manifestations of the tender mercies of the Nanny State. And if, by some chance, our November dreams don’t come true, we can always move to New Jersey.

About the Author

Lisa Fabrizio is a columnist who hails from Connecticut (mailbox@lisafab.com).

Letter to the Editor View all comments (52) |

Ret. Marine| 5.26.10 @ 6:39AM

Sorry But, I'm not buying the conservative side of this fraud known as a demorat, cuomo. He is just saying the right thing to the right ears in hopes of getting elected.
Don't buy it. The demonrat party is in serious trouble, and as they always do, (note example of 06, 08 elections) ran on a conservative note, but bought the party line by hook or crook, they lied as usual, end result of their lies, look where this country is headed. Financial ruin, race relations getting worse as the days go before us, family members pitted against each other because of an ideology, the borders less secure than we have ever seen, our president unwilling to stand up and defend our uniqueness but would and does agree to the unAmerican activities, the list goes on and many get it. Don't get me wrong here, but my immediate family members do not live the fantasy life we witness with others of our clan. They are just ignorant of history but we love them the same. One does not throw family away, you just ignore them in hopes of learning a lesson they will never forget. This lesson I hope, as well as the members of our society is don't put all of your eggs in one basket, (obamma & co.) and never believe an apple does not fall to the ground and not become rotten to the core. cuomo and many other demorats are all the same, same crap, just a different day. Never put hope & change in the same sentence with the word democrat.

Alan Brooks| 5.26.10 @ 3:28PM

As the Derb pointed out eight or so years ago, only the rate of the increase in the increase in the increase of growth of the state is slowed.
Chirpiness in a right wing zine is unbecoming.

And if it were becoming, what would it become? (can't think of a good jest everyday).

Jeff R| 5.26.10 @ 7:24AM

Andrew Cuomo would be another disaster for New York. The state - like many northeastern states - needs a radical overhaul. In the end, Cuomo will be just as beholden to the unions and liberal special interests as were his Democratic predecessors.

PJ| 5.26.10 @ 9:16AM

Lisa Fabrizio,
I also hail from CT although I was not born & raised here. Blumenthal will probably become the next senator, not because I want the pig to be elected but because most of the people here have memory issues, aptitude issues, or progressiveness issues. They will forget, continue to not understand, or casually forgive his blunder by November.

Also, alot of upper middle class voters from CT (esp Fairfield Cty) are immigrants from liberal states such as NY & are thus influenced by the progressive mentality that NY is noted for.

Robert Pinkerton| 5.26.10 @ 11:09AM

Those who call Connecticut "the Nutmeg state should know that nutmeg contains an hallucinogenic agent called myrsticin.

Alert1201| 5.26.10 @ 2:42PM

I lived in CT most of my life and my family still lives there. The people are democratic drones and would vote for a monkey if it had a D in front of it.

elephant4life| 5.26.10 @ 7:15PM

That could be said of many districts, such as Delaware in recent years, and goodly portions of MI. It has been nothing short of a miracle that Castle has continuously been sent back to DC as DE's lone Congressman, and I would think it has more to do with his having been a very popular governor back in the days when DE was solidly in the black, as well as his willingness to straddle the fence. I'm glad he's running for Senate now because DE needs an opposing voice down there. Certainly the urban concentrations of mindless Dem monkeys never thought twice about sending hoof-in-mouth Biden down six times (or was it seven, counting 2008 when he had the effrontery to run for both Senate and President), not to mention Carper, who has turned from an ethical and objective senator into a straight party line guy regardless of the issue. It's pretty frustrating not having a voice from your own party representing you in the Senate. In MI-1, for instance, in the Senate it's democrat party hacks Stabenow and Levin, with Stupak on the House side. Haven't heard much about who's running now that Bart's been scared out of the arena, but I hope, since the Senators aren't up until 2012 and 2014, that it is someone with an 'R' behind his name and with true conservative values.

Purpleguy| 5.26.10 @ 4:39PM

And, yet, I'm sure you are all too ready to forget Rand Paul's ridiculous "coming out" to the big league politics last week. And, his missteps will have far more serious consequences if he becomes a Senator than does Blumenthal. Poor KY - they just get rid of nutcase Jim Bunning and BOOM - they've got Rand Paul to deal with.

Dope and Chains| 5.26.10 @ 4:58PM

Just as you'd like to forget all about:

• Dickie "Full Metal Jacket" Blumenthal

• "Atta Boy, Kenny!" Salazar's so-called "performance" as interior secretary. Yeah... name-calling and smears'll clean up that oil slick in a jiffy...

• Never one to be outdone, The Towering Intellect in Chief's dithering for more than five weeks while the oil slick grew past the size of Maryland and Delaware combined

Geechee| 5.26.10 @ 10:49PM

Don't forget "Vietnam combat fighter" pilot Tom Harken and "former Marine" Dan Rather.

erp| 5.26.10 @ 9:56AM

This was explained to me by a liberal friends who said she always votes for the Republican in local elections because she doesn't want any of the downtrodden housing in her town.

Dope and Chains| 5.26.10 @ 5:03PM

Funny, isn't it, how quickly Regressives become reaallly conservative... when their safety, property and tax dollars are on the line.

Dennis| 5.26.10 @ 11:41AM

The Demonrat & Republican party are in serious trouble and are full of hypocrites. I was born in Southeastern Connecticut, but left 30 years ago for NH.
We as a nation need to stop talking about cutting taxes and start cutting wasteful spending at a rate of 10% per year over the next 4 years, cutting taxes does nothing to fix our broken system.
We must stop spending money the nation does not have, and stop outsourcing all our well paying jobs out to places like India.
I would hope we could get some Congressmen and Senators from both parties who will vote no on all bills that have earmarks in them. We need to send a message that the US tax payers want real action in Washington DC to cut

Purpleguy| 5.26.10 @ 4:40PM

We pay less Federal taxes now than we have over the past 60 years. How much lower can you go? You want, you have to give.

Dope and Chains| 5.26.10 @ 5:22PM

You first, Regressive. Donations are gratefully accepted at any time here. You want endlessly growing government? You pay for it.

brutus6| 5.26.10 @ 5:52PM

Purp-dude, Dennis said cut Spending, not taxes.

JmsA| 5.26.10 @ 11:41PM

Purpleturd, aren't those Bush tax cuts (set to expire in 2011) great?

Letscheck| 5.27.10 @ 5:46AM

Liar. More money is taken out of our pockets with every scam the Federal government comes up with including Cash for Clunkers.

Did you miss the fact that the Federal Government has taken over lending?

Wake up and count the taxes that are under every single plan this Administration has come up with and do it now before you have lost all of your money so you can vote like and adult in the next election.

Jason| 5.26.10 @ 12:27PM

I feel that each of you, including Ms. Fabrizio, fail to apprehend the crux of the problem. That is that the slugs that migrat like waterfowl to states that pay for sloth and recreational breeding are allowed to vote!

When I realized that NY was not a place to prosper in the 1960's and left the cancer of welfare was largely confined to New York City. BUt like all cancers, it spread to the rest of the state over time. I suspect today if a study were to be done one would learn that probably 40% of the citizens of the Empire State are on the dole in one form or another.

Democrats need dependence to spread because that's how thet retain control of politics. RINOS indeed! Those are nothing more than Scoop Jackson democrats.

I have two modest proposlas to reslove this cancer that eats at the fiscal vitals of this once great country. First, if you receive welfare you must be female and use implanted birth control (healthy males are NEVER eligible - they can go into the military) and pick up trash on the highways and byways for 40 hours a week. Second, while you receive public money you may not vote. Problems solved. No votes - democrats don't care. Programs go the way of the Edsel

Purpleguy| 5.26.10 @ 4:44PM

Attacking Welfare is another old Republican canard that is not the problem it once was. But dredge it up again, just to make a point.

Now, except for the fact that your "proposals" are completely unconstitutional, they are also dumb.

Dope and Chains| 5.26.10 @ 5:07PM

Why, those sounds like perfect characterizations for Zero's "health-care" "reform" ... and nationalizing auto companies ... and sending out Purple People Beaters Local 1234 to do his bidding ...

Drubin| 5.26.10 @ 7:44PM

Hliarious SEIU characterization. Proving, again, that conservatives don't need a comedy central approved writing staff to be funny.

PolishKnight| 5.29.10 @ 1:22AM

This type of welfare reform (put the men to work and discourage women from breeding) has already been tried for decades. Sigh. The problem with many conservatives is that they really are often decades behind the times!

Jason, if you're still reading this, Reagan tried this tactic back in the 1960's including limitations on welfare for additional children. The welfare mothers simply then went back to work for a short period of time, whelped a few kids, then back on for another decade or so.

The "healthy" men didn't volunteer to die a proper chivalrous death so they instead turned to crime robbing and assaulting damsels in distress on the streets. Misguided liberals were probably more foresightful than chivalrous idealists.

Let's hold both women and men accountable, or not at all. Stop viewing women as if they're all reincarnations of the Virgin Mary.

Jim McClarin| 5.26.10 @ 1:55PM

I wouldn't discount the tea party factor, even in Connecticut. All tea party groups in the state recently endorsed Peter Schiff. Look at what's happened in the Nevada senate race. Sharron Angle was in single digits when the tea party organizations endorsed her, followed closely by the Club for Growth. The leader was a self-financed multimillionaire, Sue Lowden. Now Angle has pulled ahead in the latest poll. It could happen here.

If Schiff debates McMahon, there is little question who will win. Schiff is a compelling speaker and debater, McMahon perfunctory and wooden. Then of course there is the fact, as you noted, that she is 110% RINO despite having borrowed some choice lines from Schiff.

iggy| 5.26.10 @ 4:01PM

The artcle only mentions Prince Andrew running in the NYS Govermors race. RINO doesnt fit the R candidate, Rick Lazo, He is also pro-gay everything, Anti-gun, by his own votes from his prvious (diasterous) stint in government. Wile he speaks "conservative" his own actions show him a liar.
Blumenthal lied about serving in Vietnam, Lazio lies about everything he talks about. Which is worse?

Purpleguy| 5.26.10 @ 4:48PM

Lazio...

Blumenthal misspoke once .. but spoke about his military career correctly many times. So, could you give the guy a break - maybe he was tired or distracted. On the other hand, George Allen said Macacca more than once... and created his own Maccaca moment.

Dope and Chains| 5.26.10 @ 5:18PM

Aww! Tired and distracted? Blumenliar is a LAWYER who's trained to speak and write in precise terms. Even Your Hero the Socialist Zero wouldn't attempt to sell a whopper like that one.

Poor little Blumenliar sure does deserve a break. After all, those splinters in his butt from riding a desk during those endless "tours of duty" must be agony, and the carpal-tunnel syndrome he got from all that grueling memo typing is just too much for a combat veteran to bear, isn't it?

Gentoo| 5.26.10 @ 11:01PM

And here you have it folks ... proof that progressives not only like lying to themselves but enjoy being lied to by the politicians that they wave poms-poms for.

Lord forgive them for they live in a fantasy land of make believe nanny state utopia and thus know not what they do.

JmsA| 5.26.10 @ 11:53PM

"Blumenthal misspoke once .. but spoke about his military career correctly many times." Sorry, Purpleturd, the New York Times found no less than eight instances between 2003 and 2009 in which Blumenthal mentioned his service in Vietnam.

"So, could you give the guy a break - maybe he was tired or distracted." Like when the One claimed he had campaigned in 57 states and his uncle in the U.S. Army had helped liberate Auschwitz Concentration Camp? Nice try!

What does Macaca got to do with any of this? Allen ran and lost. Are you possibly, subconsciously predicting the same for Mr. Blumenthal? As always, 11/02/2010

Rick Z | 5.29.10 @ 11:04AM

Maybe Bluemthal served in Cambodia with Johnny Kerry.

Could be they sat and listened together to Richard Nixon's Christmas speech from the White House .... a month BEFORE Nixon was inaugurated.

Bluemthal and Kerry ... Liars together.

Peter| 5.26.10 @ 4:30PM

The likelihood of Cuomo becoming NY governor is depressing, but as a NYC conservative I doubt it can be stopped. As others familiar with the region have noted, a majority of voters in much of the NE vote automatically for anyone calling themselves a Democrat. I have close liberal, NYC born and raised friends who will admit that Guliani cleaned up the City and made it liveable as never before but that they did not and would not ever vote for him. In fact, while praising the results he achieved they insist he was--is--a "Nazi." Go figure. Only real bankruptcy, not the technical bankruptcy we find ourselves in, might change things, but the stark reality for anyone who really understands the Dem liberal NE mindset is that being a Democrat here is a religion, a matter of belief and faith that can't be questioned.

Tom Burns| 5.26.10 @ 8:09PM

I agree 100% with what you said about the NE Democrat/liberal mindset being a religion. It really has to be witnessed in person in order to be fully understood and believed.

JmsA| 5.26.10 @ 11:55PM

You don't have to go to all the trouble of witnessing it in person, just read the purpleturds posts.

Tom Burns| 5.26.10 @ 8:54PM

What's also worth noting is the hostility faced by the small "out group" of people who don't conform to the New England Democrat/liberal mindset. Anyone who doesn't conform to that mindset is subtly bullied or otherwise treated in a very condescending manner. New England is plagued with highly predatory social and political atmospheres.

WRJonas | 5.26.10 @ 4:36PM

It sounds like the author is promoting gradualism . A belief that the least effective choice( moderation) will bring about the desired change.
Rather than adopting political solutions which confront directly they seek a gradual movement in the desired direction.
It is an illusion because the impetus that creates the demand for change in the first place is thwarted by delay and soon the situation gravitates back to the undesireable.
Governor Crist in New Jersey is demonstrating the need for radical measures in his state and proving conclusively that they work and bring real results.
Too bad the same tactics won't be implemented in these three states.

AZTIKAL| 5.26.10 @ 9:29PM

Religion or cult??

Steven| 5.26.10 @ 11:20PM

this author is without a clue. thankfully, rhode island will be electing a liberal governor for the first time in years. gay marriage is just around the corner for us in the ocean state, joining many other northeast states. maybe this linda writer woman needs to move down to kentucky, go stump for the reasonable racist rand paul sweetie

Jason Keuter| 5.26.10 @ 11:56PM

I'm curious as to how being in favor of abortion "satisfies" anyone's conscience - why not just say they favor it and leave the word "conscience" out of it because conscience plays no part in being pro-aborition. Oh, and before you say there's a difference between being pro-abortion and pro-choice , there isn't. Pro-choice is simply a rhetorical trick to evade the fact that what you favor is abortion. Now, before you say, but I don't favor it, I just want the option to be there for women who choose it. The question is choose it over what? The answer is motherhood. That is a choice you make when you allow yourself to be reemed by some fellow with which you do not wish to have kids. You have a choice not to do that. Last, what about the health of the mother, rape, incest, etc? These are all red-herrings. The vast - and I mean vast -preponderance of abortions are simply post-coital birth control. Thus to conflate choosing to kill an innocent being so you can get reamed by some guy you don't want to have kids with into a matter of "conscience" is an Orwellian perversion of the word.

Don Ho| 5.27.10 @ 2:53AM

If there is no change in the northeast, there is no hope for America.

Darragh| 5.27.10 @ 6:54PM

Hey, even Maine, which has been taken over by liberal transplants, might have a Repub governor! As Maine goes....!

Dennis| 5.27.10 @ 7:51PM

As a conservative Democrat I am for small Government and social responsibility, that does not mean I am for welfare as it is now.

I am a vet and yet I am for cutting the wasteful spending the Veterans Administration ( VA) and focus more of the money towards local help for vets.

Medicare wasteful spending on such things as scooters for people that need to get off their A$$ and exercise, why should I pay taxes so they can get one of these for free.

WASTEFUL SPENDING IS THE BIG THING WE MUST ATTACH AS A NATION ( Hey Tea Party push for this ) and This will end up being a huge tax cut for all.

Nick| 5.27.10 @ 7:58PM

Dennis,

If you are a conservative, why are you staying with the Democratic Party?

Dennis| 5.27.10 @ 8:05PM

Hello Nick,

Because I am not for big business which has always been where the Republicans are, and after working for big multinational companies I have seen firsthand how they are destroying our country and our jobs in the name of big profits.

Nick| 5.27.10 @ 8:09PM

Dennis,

We can agree on this point.

But, both parties kowtow to big corporations. And, many big multi-nationals are run by liberals, would you not agree?

Dennis | 5.27.10 @ 9:10PM

That is a good question, and I really do not know, other than I think its more 50/50

jfdk| 7.1.10 @ 3:59AM

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