We all know the results of election 2014 in
Connecticut. With the exception of some gains in the state legislature, once
again the red wave that rolled across the nation, parted when it reached the
borders of the nutmeg state, leaving us with just a sprinkle rather than the
cleansing wash for which we so fervently hoped.
At the federal and statewide level, once again our
candidates lost across the board, although two of our under-ticket candidates
came within a hair's breadth of victory. (More on them shortly)
It is safe to say that the voters of Connecticut chose not
to buy what our Republican candidates were selling.
What about Connecticut donors?
I did some cursory research.
I simply went to the Open Secret website, looked up the total CT. Republican contributions
and subtracted the campaign totals to see what was left.
In 2013-2014 Connecticut political donors gave over thirteen
million dollars to Republican candidates and parties. ($13,359,763) They just
didn’t give it to candidates in Connecticut.
*Greenberg $1,589,000
(this number is actually less
because Greenberg loaned his campaign about 900K)
Debicella $1,174,000
Brown $15,000
Cavanaugh $88,500
Corey $21,000
Total =$2,887,500 in CT and $10,472,263 out of state.
Less than three million dollars went to Local candidates and
over 10 million dollars went to Republican candidates and causes elsewhere. By
the way, in 2012 Republicans gave over 35 million dollars of which, less than 8
million went to Connecticut races.
There is a lack of confidence in Connecticut’s Republican
brand on the part of Connecticut’s Republican donors.
There is a lack of confidence in Connecticut’s Republican
Brand on the part of voters both inside and outside of the base.
The drumbeat has already begun for a new face at the helm of
CTGOP.
I would offer this. If change is to be made, what is needed
is not a “manager” or a “party insider”.
What is needed is SOMEONE who is a visionary leader with the capacity to effectively
articulate the conservative vision and principles to both groups in a way that
they can understand and embrace.
In short, we need a leader who can sell the
Republican brand in Connecticut.
But what about the formidable Democrat ground game? How do
we compete with that?
The key to an effective ground game begins with having
people on the ground in the communities in question. This is achieved by showing up
and forming & cultivating relationships within those areas. The time to
show up is not September of election year. The time to show up is NOW. Show up
and show genuine concern for the issues and challenges facing the people of our
large communities.
By showing up, we have the opportunity show our principles
in action. By showing up and forging relationships we begin to build a base of boots for the ground and votes for the ballot box
How do we get CT. Republican donors to be more supportive of Connecticut candidates?
Make no mistake. CT donors are very savvy individuals who
already fully understand and embrace conservative principles and vision. THEY JUST DON’T SEE THEM HERE, which is why they don’t contribute here. They want their hard earned
dollars to make a difference and tend to support conservative candidates and
causes that they have confidence in and that have a strong base of support from others, like from the party.
Currently, when good conservative candidates of principle and vision seek the support of many major donors, those donors are fully aware that the current vision and direction of Connecticut's Republican Party is...something different. Why then would they invest? After all, they didn't become wealthy by being stupid with their money.
When Republicans in the state with arguably the richest donor base in the nation show something different, THEN perhaps donors will show something different...support.
That brings us to the argument that conservatism sells everywhere else in the country but doesn't
sell in Connecticut.
How then did Peter Lumaj, a candidate who from his own
mouth, is absolutely and apologetically conservative, come so close to
becoming our Secretary of the State?
How did Tim Herbst, who has been a firm, steady fiscal conservative
leader of his town, come so close to becoming our Treasurer?
They did so by offering voters a clear and different
alternative to what they have now. Neither man ran as a watered-down version of
their opponent. They sold conservatism in a manner that appealed to a wide audience and they found a surprising number of
buyers.
The Republican Party of Connecticut has two choices.
1: Find leadership that can effectively sell the Republican
brand, energize our base and increase our presence and impact in the urban and
unaffiliated voting blocks.
Or,
2: Continue with more
of the same and continue to be ignored by both voters and donors.
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