3 thoughts on “Twitter: RT @TheFix: Simmons …”

  1. Joe Loy

    Hm! Interesting — and Odd [emphases added]:

    NEW LONDON — Rob Simmons ended his campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate today, comparing a run against Linda McMahon’s money to the futility of Pickett’s Charge during the Civil War.

    “As somebody interested in military history, it was a foolish waste of people and resources, with a tremendously demoralizing outcome,” said Simmons, a retired Army officer and Vietnam veteran.

    Simmons is ending his campaign, but he will leave his name on the Republican primary ballot, leaving no doubt that an endorsement of McMahon will not be forthcoming.

    In another year, leaving his name on the ballot would be an extravagant gesture, forcing the expense of a primary. But this year the Republicans already face a three-way, statewide primary for governor…

    OK. Following is a combination CT electionlawgeek & CT politiconerd Take on the situation. ;}

    1. Presumably Simmons knows that to Be on the August 10 primary ballot he must file his signed ‘15%-percenter’ “Certificate of Eligibility & Request for Primary” with CT SOTS not later than 4 p.m. Monday June 7″. (However, speaking from long experience, never underestimate the capacity of bigshot candidates [especially ones who have Suspended the Campaigns & Dismissed their Staffs :] to screw up stuff like that, e.g. by Assuming that things somehow happen “Automatically.” 😉

    2. Presumably also the Republicans will indeed “face a three-way, statewide primary for governor”, since the two convention 15%-ers — Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele and the mellifluously-named Oz Griebel — have both Vowed to proceed. / However, just as with the Wrestling riches of Linda McMahon (R-Greenwich), the Party Leadership seems quite Enamored of the Deep Pockets of former-Ambassador-to-Ireland-&-convention-endorsed gubernatorial candidateTom Foley (R-Greenwich) — and do not discount the Party’s ability to Charm a putative Challenger with its gentle Powers of Rational Dissuasion. ;>

    3. Except in the case of the Repub U.S. Senate wildman wildcard, Connecticut’s iteration of Rand Paul, the redoubtable Peter Schiff — who says [emphases added]:

    Rob Simmons brought energy to this race and ran an honorable campaign. His voice will be missed in this debate. His service to our country and our state will not be forgotten. This is now, however, a two-person campaign and one to which I look forward and intend to win. There are many differences between Linda McMahon and myself, and over the course of the coming weeks, I will demonstrate to the voters of Connecticut who I am, what I stand for, and why I am the top choice among those who want to bring meaningful change to Washington. I am a true political outsider and real grassroots candidate. There is a reason why I am the choice of Tea Party leaders, political newcomers and independents, and why Linda McMahon, the darling of the establishment, has become the ultimate insider. Those reasons will become clear over the next several weeks.

    Schiff, to his considerable disgruntlement, didn’t get his Qualifying 15% at the Convention — but left the hall promising to Petition his way onto the primary ballot anyway. This is possible, under the odious “open primary law” enacted in 2003 shortly before my Retirement from CTSOTS. (Pure coincidence, of course. 🙂 (mmwaaa-ha-haaa… 😉

    However, to qualify Schiff must now turn in the signatures of at least 2% of the active-status enrolled Republicans in the state — i.e. 8,255 signatures according to the CTSOTS website’s most-recently-posted party-enrollment figures, subject to Updating — not later than 4 PM June 8. Which, given the reality of a Rejection rate (e.g. signatures of non-voters, non-Republicans, non-residents of the Town with whose Registrar a given Page is filed [yes they are filed Locally], certain incurable Foul-ups by the Circulators, etc etc) means that a good 16,000 “raw” signatures ought to be gathered & filed, to have a reasonably safe Cushion. / Which is why the 2010 Statewide-office primary petitions (having the biggest Signature requirements) became Available to, and Circulatable by, one & all beginning April 27. well before the parties’ Endorsing (and ‘15%-er’ Qualifying) conventions.

    If Schiff began seriously collecting signatures back then, he could be in decent shape. But if (as I suspect) he has waited until Now, I have my Doubts. (Of course I Don’t doubt that he’ll Sue if he falls short. They always do. 🙂 FWIW, he Twitters:

    SCHIFF ON TWITTER

    Defeat McMahon by helping Peter’s signature drive! Please contact us 2 learn how: info@schiffforsenate.com or 203-874-6880. #schiffforsenate

    Peter Schiff On 05-25 08:05 am

    Now: IF Schiff makes the ballot — and if Simmons indeed Puts and Leaves his name on it too — things could get Peculiar. Campaign or No campaign, the Rob Simmons name & reputation will draw significant votes from McMahon; iow, will split the Party Regulars vote. / To what extent? Dunno yet. / Also, a U.S. Senate primary widely reported as a no-real-contest Formality will (a) somewhat depress the overall Repub turnout Aug. 10 (in a Low-turnout-at-Primaries state to begin with) AND will also Increase, perhaps substantially, the voters’ “skip rate” for the Office of U.S. Senate — producing a Lower total vote than for Gov and Lt Gov and other statewide spots (SOTS, AG, maybe Treasurer) being primaried more ‘contestedly’.

    To whose Advantage? / Why, none other than Connecticut’s veryown Kentucky Rifleman, the randpaulsian libertarian Peter Schiff! :>

    (Yeah, yeah, I know I know. Hey, I can Dream, can’t I? Dick Blumenthal needs a little Help retaining his customary 70% of the November vote. GO, PETER SCHIFF! ;}

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