BY DAN KELLY

$9,118,582.14

That’ s the amount that Ned Lamont has spent so far on his Gubernatorial primary campaign.

As Dan campaigns across the state, voters are making their choice.  They are making a decision based on values and experience. They are choosing which candidate can lead from day one, and who can help turn Connecticut around. They are choosing which candidate can fight for the middle class, protect  our seniors, and make this state great again. They are choosing Dan.

Help keep this momentum alive.   Can we count on you to volunteer on election day and one time before? Sign up today.

Ned feels it, and knows that if voters make a choice based on values and experience, Dan wins. His response? Pour in money.  As voters learn more about Dan and Ned, they are supporting Dan in droves.   Ned realizes that, and just last week alone, put in $1,750,000 of his family’s money.

Help us fight back. Your help can make sure that this is an election, not an auction. Join our election day team today.

Ned enjoyed a lead when the campaign was about money, when his millions helped him campaign in a vacuum, before voters could make a choice based on both candidates values and experience.  Once Dan had the resources and grassroots support to make this a race about values and experience, Ned’s lead has evaporated.   Dan is in a position to win.

Help us finish strong and get the message out these final days. Please sign up today to join our election day team, and volunteer one time .

Sincerely,

Dan Kelly

Campaign Manager

Dan Malloy for Governor

PS –  You should be proud of all that you’re doing.. I sure am.  Even in the face of $9,118,582.14, Dan is in a position to win thanks to all that you’ve done.  Let’s not stop now – sign up today to volunteer on election day and one time before.

This weekend, I was proud to be endorsed by the Hartford Courant, Connecticut Post, Norwich Bulletin and the Day of New London.

In making their endorsements, the papers stressed my experiences as Mayor of Stamford in helping to turn the city around, as well as the vision I’ve put forth for how we can do the same for Connecticut. We face serious challenges, and as these endorsements point out, I have the values and experience necessary to overcome those challenges and get our state back on track.

Here are some excerpts from the endorsements:

Hartford Courant (August 1, 2010)

Dan Malloy’s “…grand vision transformed Stamford during his 14 years as its chief executive.”

“…Mr. Lamont is less detailed than Mr. Malloy on cutting spending in state government. And Mr. Lamont’s refusal, until recently, to do any more one-on-one debates with Mr. Malloy has been troubling for a candidate who wants to lead Connecticut through tough times.”

Dan Malloy “…is the better choice for the challenges ahead.”

Connecticut Post (August 1, 2010)

“Lamont cannot point to real-world experience running a major public enterprise, and Malloy can.”

“…Malloy is one who has actually delivered.”

“We trust Malloy is the best of the Democratic candidates to get the state’s finances under control, entice businesses to start hiring again and get the state of Connecticut back on track.”

“Malloy has the combination of executive experience, political savvy and determination to turn the course of a lumbering, undisciplined machine and redirect its energy in a positive direction.”

The Day (July 31, 2010)

“Whatever it is that puts people at ease, Mr. Malloy appears to have it. His innate political skills will serve him well in what should prove a tough general election. Conversely, Mr. Lamont’s refusal to debate in the closing days of the campaign, only to flip-flop when the criticism became intense, showed poor political judgment.”

Dan Malloy “…will be more effective in the general election and…would make the better governor if elected.”

“When it comes to governing, Mr. Malloy’s experience as a mayor better prepares him for the state’s top job, while Mr. Lamont faces a steep learning curve.”

Norwich Bulletin (August 1, 2010)

“We believe that Malloy’s background is an advantage, a significant value that cannot be overlooked or taken for granted.”

“Lamont refers to the governor as the CEO, understandably so given his business background. But government is not a business. It’s an entity composed of three separate and independent branches.  We think Malloy has the right government experience to lead.”

Economy – the New Dan Malloy for Governor Ad.

BY DAN KELLY

We’ve received a ton of responses to our ‘why Ned won’t debate Dan’ contest, and put them below.  If you haven’t already – make sure to put your submission up on facebook – we will be picking the winners this Friday!

Stefan Lupu

Because he’s cornered already and he doesn’t know where the fire escape is located.

Jeff Quamme

Because, like many from Fairfield County, he thinks New London is irrelevant

Jacqueline Apted

his horoscope told him not to debate anyone with the same amount of letters in their name?

Penny Truglia-Carbajal

he’s chicken

David Daveylove Price

Because he’s working on his speech as an independent candidate.

Ryan McKeen

Because Ned’s money can’t buy courage.

James Liska

Because he knows everyone else has seen the Manchurian Candidate as well.

Randy Bucknoff

Because debating would mean he needs to show depth in his campaign, since he’s coming from the shallow end of the pool that would be difficult.

Mary McClintock

Because he is very unlikeable and you are very likeable. Because he sounds angry, you sound composed. Because he is rich and, well, maybe you are too, but at least you don’t wear it on your sleeve, because he’s too narcissistic, because he relates to big shots, you relate to the little guy and I could go on….

Claudia Solomon Silver

because he is booked for a manicure & Pedicure that day. Come on Dan!

James Liska

Because Ned has no way to counter your green power tie.

Joseph FitzPatrick

Because he is a multi-millionaire, who can’t relate to the average, hard working citizen in central Connecticut. He is not running for governor, he is buying his way into the Governor’s Mansion. There are others doing so too. Why are they spending millions of dollars for a job that pays around $ 200,000.

Robin Carlson

Ned Lamont, he won’t debate Dan Malloy because it’s not in his plan… business plan that is. Running a state like Connecticut is no small business and Ned isn’t up for a big challenge.

Patricia Jodoin-Nelson

His People (Who He Pays) Who Follow You Around With A Video and A Tape Recorder Trying To Catch You Say Or Do Something Wrong Must Be On Vacation. You Cannot Run Connecticut Like A Business and That’s All Ned Lamont Knows…He’s Trying To Buy The People of Connecticut’s Votes…It’s NOT Gonna Work, The People of Connecticut Are Smarter Than He and His Campaign Give Us Credit For.

Rose Buckens

ned lamont is simply being lame!! he knows he does not do as well as our dan..the man with the plan..

Debbie Zuccarini Dragonetti

He’s washing his hair that night

Patty Horvath

He’s more interested in trying to beat you then risking an attempt to win the hearts and minds of the voters in Connecticut. Which would be highly unlikely against you. I really want that dinner!

Susan Vogel

He’s stuck in the panic room in his Greenwich mansion, his languishing support, falling Q-poll numbers, and no new and meaningful endorsements have scared him.

Matthew Sullivan

The Garde, New London and WTNH did not reach into his main media market of New York City and Grand Central Station

Ryan McKeen

Because money can’t buy courage.

Hasher محمد Nisar

Because Ned Lamont does not have the same experience as Dan Malloy.

David Daveylove Price

Because he’s working on his speech to run as a independent

Rina Bakalar

Can’t afford a new suit, spending all his millions on advertising and paid phone callers from other states…

Ashley Yvette Rodriguez

Because he just doesn’t know how to answer questions.

Art Cyr

Without any actual experience in government Lamont would FAIL as a governor and he doesn’t want to admit that in a debate.

Maura McEvoy Satkowski

Because Dan Malloy rocks and Ned Lamont knows it!

Becky Gall- Piorek

Because Mr Lamont knows he has NO BACKGROUND except for his wallet.

Tanner Bokor

Because in the end, it’ll come down to track record and experience. Ned Lamont can pour all the money he wants into Advertising, but unless he can walk the walk just as much as he can talk the talk, its all meaningless and just more politics at play. Can Ned Lamont say he revitalized a once run down, dilapidated, and crime ridden city, into a booming economic and cultural urban center? I think not. Dan Malloy can talk the talk, and walk the walk, unlike his opponent.

Claire Garcia

because money can’t buy you love!

Betsy Chorney Rosenberg

because all he knows is autodialers.

Tom Burke

He has no idea about the issues that affect the common citizen

Candace Van Auken

Ned Lamont won’t be able to debate Dan Malloy on July 27th because it’s too soon. He needs more time to assemble his Disputation S.W.A.T. Team.

Curtis-police Edith

maybe he scared we will all find out that he really does not get it.

Marilyn E. Rossetti

because he is actually a card board cut out — with a tape recording that changes depending on what office he is running for!

Stephen Rice-Betsy Houston-Rice

Because he suffers from George Bush syndrome he has no clue and can only follow a scripted forum please submit any and all questions in advance.

Gail B. MacDonald

We’ve all seen Lamont try to debate in the past — enough said.

Belltown Barbers

He is an empty suit who is afraid his battery will run out.

Steve Bayley

Ran out of ideas for the number 1 problem facing Connecticut.

Loretta Tremblay

Ned won’t debate again because its not just another business meeting where he can say things like “I’ll get back to you on that.” Or ask someone else who was in charge of a project to give the answers, he would actually have to have some answers himself!

David F. Bayne

Because Ned was planning to secretly shadow State Senator Bob Duff all day on July 27 to find out what a successful politician does to actually get elected to something in Connecticut and could not get his deposit back on the Inspector Clouseau costume he had rented for the occasion.

Karen Pilecki Neeley

Because Ned’s secretly planning on voting for Dan!

Adam Brill

Because George W. Bush won’t give Ned back his wired-up telephonic suit jacket.

Anthony K

Because then Ned would have to learn something, instead of just repeating “I’m against the Iraq war” over and over again.

JoHanna McCashland

would rather be out to lunch

Michael Norris

Because Ned scheduled a brainstorming session with Tom Foley and Linda McMahon on how to pitch ‘The Real Multimillionaire Candidates of Fairfield County” reality series to Fox.

Linda Kinnane Diamond

Ned now realizes that the eyes don’t lie no matter the number of gold coins laid out on the table and CHARISMA is a priceless gift of birth not able to be bought or sold!

Maureen Hogan Klett

Add this to the top ten reasons why Ned Lamont won’t debate Dan Malloy on July 27th…. He is busy practicing for his WWE debut in the lightweight division.

Patrice Jaskiewicz

Ned can’t find any “Business Man” that he can buy the answers from.

Deborah Noble

Because Ned Lamont is no Jack Kennedy.

Mary Alyson Pilagin

He does not want to debate because he looks scripted and unnatural when he speaks.

Bruce Saulnier

Its very difficult to put unscripted answers on a teleprompter

]]> http://danmalloy.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/contest-update/feed/ 0 Team Malloy http://danmalloy.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/absentee-ballots/ http://danmalloy.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/absentee-ballots/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:32:19 +0000 Team Malloy http://danmalloy.wordpress.com/?p=612 ]]>

I just read through the Q Poll results (check out our statement) and wanted to share a few quick thoughts.

1-      First and foremost, this is proof positive that the many hours of hard work our volunteers have put in are paying off.  The momentum is clearly behind Dan’s campaign going in to the final weeks of the primary, and we have you to thank.  There’s no time to rest, but we should be proud that our message is resonating.

2-      We’re getting a lot of response from our communications program and we’re all running into a lot of voters that are remembering Dan’s lines and commenting on the ads.  That only happens when people are catching on, and liking a candidate’s message, and when your entire from the candidate to staff and volunteers are as disciplined as we’ve all been.  Let’s keep it up.

3-      Our grassroots field operation is firing on all cylinders.   By Election Day, we’ll have reached every primary voter on the phone or at the door (and most, a few times).   Our volunteers are doing great work – if you’re not already plugged in, sign up now to join them.

4-      Ned must have been seeing these same numbers – it’s probably why he won’t debate.  I could be wrong though – take a minute and share why you think Ned won’t debate Dan.

Throughout this entire campaign, our opponents have come up with reason after reason for why Dan doesn’t have a shot at this thing.  First, Dan wasn’t going to qualify for clean elections (but he did). Then, he wasn’t going to win the convention (he did).   Then, they said they would just drop millions of dollars and blow us out of the water.  Yet, we’re 26 days from the election, and that hasn’t happened either.  To date, Ned has outspent us 5:1, but we just cut his lead in half in one month.

Dan has proved Ned’s team wrong at every turn, but you’ll hear a lot more myths in these final weeks.   Ned’s team will talk about magical absentee programs, plans to turn out thousands of “secret voters,” and conference calls with scores of people.   See above – he’s thrown whatever he has against us, but every time we’ve proven them wrong.

Two reasons:. Dan is the only candidate that offers values and experience that money can’t buy. Voters are responding – the polls are showing it.  And, Dan Malloy has a team of supporters that money can’t buy – our tried and true supporters know how to work, know how to organize, and know how to win.

Thanks for all that you’re doing…and kudos on all that you’ve done!

Since Ned won’t debate Dan, and since the excuse he gave is pretty ridiculous, some of Dan’s supporters have been thinking of the real reasons why Ned won’t debate Dan. The folks back at the office compiled some of our favorites and posted them below.

Take a look and add yours on Dan’s facebook fan page wall.  We’re going to pick the most creative answers from Dan’s facebook wall. The prize? Dinner with Dan in New London on July 27th.

Top Ten Guesses On Why Ned Won’t Debate Dan

1.      He doesn’t have time to prepare another radio ad claiming that he “won another debate”.

2.      Are you kidding?  Didn’t you see the first debate??

3.      The dog ate all of his answers.

4.      The dog didn’t eat the questions.

5.      Why have a debate in New London when there are plenty of good places to debate right here in America?

6.      Debating Dan Malloy is just not fair because Dan already knows the answers.

7.      He’s nobody’s man but his pollster’s.

8.      He doesn’t look enough like Lowell Weicker to send the former governor in his place.

9.      He didn’t like Englehart’s last cartoon.

10.  He can’t stand hearing “deer in the headlights” one more time.

College graduation is a milestone and an achievement.  But for many recent graduates in Connecticut, it’s also frightening.  Like other young professionals across the country, they find themselves asking, “where are the jobs?”

While it’s true that the entire country is hurting – the fact remains that Connecticut is dead last in job growth.  It’s true that given this recession we can’t expect to go from last to first overnight.  And it’s also true that State Government can’t be the only solution to our problems.  But it should be a leader, and a guiding force in moving us in the right direction.  Connecticut needs to get on the right track, and it’s up to our next governor to create a healthy economic environment so our state’s men and women can earn adecent living, and so that our college graduates aren’t forced to move elsewhere in their search for work.  When that happens, nobody wins.

As Mayor of Stamford I helped bring thousands of jobs at small, medium, and large businesses to the Stamford area. I’m proud of those accomplishments and I believe Stamford is better able to weather these tough times due to the work we did.  I have a plan that will bring jobs back to Connecticut similarly to how I brought jobs to the people of Stamford.  You can read more about it here.

What we need now, perhaps more than ever, is responsible leadership that has a track record for success.  That’s exactly what I intend to bring to Hartford.

Connecticut needs a leader whose priority is to revamp our state’s economy and improve our competitiveness through innovation and creativity.   Who knows how to put in place an economic development strategy that makes sense for the 21st century economy, instead of holding onto strategies that were designed for the last century.  I invite you to read my entire plan for growing jobs here.