CT: Supremes Refuse Greens

From the Washington Post:

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the Green Party of Connecticut challenging state requirements for third party candidates to qualify for public campaign funds. The justices did not comment Tuesday in refusing to disturb a federal appeals court ruling in favor of the state.

Liberal Blog Calls for Open Debate and Discussion with Libertarians

From the Angry Bear blog:

Here at Angry Bear, we've had a number of posts on LIbertarians over the years. Inevitably, someone writes to tell us we're misrepresenting Libertarians... even when we're quoting well known libertarians.

So... if you are libertarian consider this an invitation. Send me one to three paragraphs on what it means to be a libertarian or what libertarianism is. Or put it in comments. (I beg the indulgence of non-libertarians to please not put up comments of their own.) If you feel what you are writing about applies particularly to one or another strain of libertarianism, please make that clear. . . . .

Dan Reale, the Chairman of the Connecticut Libertarian Party, has already responded:

Libertarians oppose the initiation of force to promote social or political goals. We acknowledge that a "right" is a power, faculty or ability inherent to ownership and incident upon another. This applies to both to your property and yourself, as you own both.

This also applies to what people myopically characterize as "economic", "civil" or "social" rights, as if the principle is somehow different or distinct. Rights function on the same premise no matter who owns the property in question. If the action of the property owner (as in the person with the corresponding rights inherent to that ownership) would take action that would risk damage to property, infringe the rights of others or limit the rights of others, that person taking such action needs to obtain (or contract for) permission.

Libertarians are minarchists. We believe that government's only function is to protect individual rights . . .

CT: Walker May Run for Senate as Independent

From the Daily Caller:

Add David M. Walker, the former comptroller of the United States under Presidents Clinton and Bush, to the list of likely candidates to run for Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman seat in 2012.

Walker told The Daily Caller on Tuesday night that he has “no plans at the present time to run for office.” But sources close to Walker told TheDC they are bullish about the idea of his running as an Independent for the spot being vacated by Lieberman, who has been an Independent since 2006 . . .

CT: Libertarian Party Offers Free Classes on Constitution and Economics

From the Norwich Bulletin:

The Libertarian Party of Connecticut is starting an outreach program to teach people about the U.S. Constitution and an Eastern Connecticut man is leading the effort.

Plainfield resident Dan Reale, a two-time candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, said the party will also be teaching economics. . . .

CT: Greens Decry "Broken Election System," Demand All Votes be Counted

From On the Wilder Side:

Green Party candidates and officials stated today a recent audit of state voting system showed a “broken election system” that needs reform, upgrades to ballot security, and transparency. Greens were shocked that ballots to be audited were left unsecured, left under desks and had differences in the ballot count, according to the audit report.

CT: Green Candidate for House "Swings from the Hip"

From the Bristol Press:

Ken Krayeske, the 38-year-old Green Party congressional contender, one of four people seeking the 1st Congressional District seat, relishes the opportunity to challenge the conventional wisdom.  At a debate this week, for example, he got tossed what for most politicians would be a softball on whether to move ahead with the proposed Coltsville National Park that would bring jobs, tourists and recognition to Hartford. Swinging from the hip, Krayeske fired back that he opposes “building a museum that honors genocide” and pointed out that Elizabeth Colt’s five children all died before her. He said she considered it a curse for having made guns that led to so many deaths over decades. Krayeske said he would rather see other Hartford factories singled out in a park to showcase the rise of American manufacturing. . .

CT: Democrat and Republican Arrogance on Full Display in Dismissal of Independent Challengers

From CT News Junky:

A candidate for state representative in Mansfield, a town that houses thousands of college students as well as local residents, told the two college students running for the seat that they didn’t belong on stage with him and his Democratic opponent.. . .


Christopher Paulhus, the endorsed Republican candidate for state representative in the 54th House District and a member of Mansfield’s Town Council, felt the student representation among the candidates paled in comparison to his experience and the experience of Democratic candidate and Mansfield Deputy Mayor Gregory Haddad. “I think there are really only two candidates here,” he said. “Me and Greg. We’ve both been on the Town Council for a while.”

“It’s upsetting to hear that I shouldn’t be on the stage,” said Brien Buckman, UConn student and Independent candidate. “I think it should be noted that I’m not part of the current system because we need new ideas.”

CT: Third Party Candidates Find Footing Among Angry Voters

From the Middletown Press:

In a trend becoming almost commonplace, the upcoming November elections will be more than just a two-party race as many third-party candidates have thrown their hats in the ring.

And this year, third-party candidates threaten to tip a handful of congressional and gubernatorial races to contenders who otherwise might lose. On the local level, the candidates hope to make a difference — mostly, they all hope for some sort of election reform in order to make it easier for third-party candidates to get on the ballot in the future.

In the governor’s race, Independent candidate Tom Marsh from Chester is battling Republican Tom Foley and Democrat Dan Malloy. His ally is Cicero Booker Jr, of Waterbury, for the lieutenant governor spot.  While some third-party candidates are independents, many candidates are members of the Green Party . . .

CT: Libertarian Candidate for Congress Calls for Audit of Sec. of the State

From the Norwich Bulletin:

The Libertarian Party candidate for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District is calling for an “audit” of the Secretary of the State’s office after he was denied ballot for the Nov. 2 election.

Dan Reale of Plainfield said earlier this week that he would file a lawsuit in Hartford Superior Court, claiming the Secretary of the State had confirmed his ballot access but then denied it.

Av Harris, spokesman for Secretary Susan Bysiewicz, said Reale was never considered on the ballot although the office listed him on its website. Reale only collected 90 signatures of the 3,200 he needed, Harris said. Reale disputes this, adding that the office didn’t give him enough time to correct problems with his signature submission.

CT: Green Deshefy Blasts Democrat and Republican Rivals of Benefiting from "Legalized Bribery"

From a Green Party press release:

Green Party Candidate For The Second Congressional District, Scott Deshefy Said Today That Congressman Joe Courtney And The G.O.P. s Janet Peckinpaugh Are Supporting "Legalized Bribery" With The Current Big Money In Politics System.

Deshefy said "The corporate money and special interests that have bought and paid for the Democrat and Republicans Party are bribing politicians, but legally, in a broken system that neither corporate party wants to reform.

Citing the non partisan "OpenSecrets.org", Deshefy points to a career $2 million Political action committee (PAC) donations accepted by Courtney in just four years. Deshefy said "General Dynamics, Real estate, finical interest and huge lobbying interests all want some thing for their big money to Courtney".

"Open Secret" also points to fundraiser after fundraiser for Courtney for $5,000 a plate" Deshefy said. He added "Who can give $5,000 to a Congressman and not want something back? Not the average Second District voter, but people from out of the state in New York, Texas and California who want to bribe Courtney legally "

Deshefy called for "Clean Elections" or public financing of Congressional races. He added "All issues pale in comparison to this, because we can not have fair discussion and debate, when the races have special interests paying for them.

Deshefy call the G.O.P. s Janet Peckinpaugh "clueless on the money issues of campaigns". He added "She is asking for millions from out of state donors and does not back "Clean Elections", unlike her Republican Governor Jodi Rell. Peckinpaugh wants the broken money system to go on, just bribing the G.O.P. side!"

CT: Independent Points out Democratic and Republican Hypocrisy on Tax Policy, in Call for Expansion of Tax Base

From the Hartford Courant:

Marsh, the Independent Party candidate on the ballot for governor, says "everybody who is receiving a paycheck'' should pay into the state coffers — even if it is only $100 per year — in order to close the state's projected budget deficit of $3.4 billion for the next fiscal year. . . . 

Marsh rejected the views of those who say it is bad tax policy to impose a tax on the poorest residents. He pointed out that the state legislature has raised the cigarette tax multiple times — to the current level of $3 per pack — even though many poor people are smokers and are forced to pay the tax. The poor also pay gasoline taxes, Social Security taxes, sales taxes and other taxes.

CT: Green Campaigns on "Green New Deal"

From Green Party Watch:

Thomas MacMillan at the New Haven Independent has written a detailed profile of  Charlie Pillsbury’s Green Party run for US House of Representatives in Connecticut’s 3rd district. Pillsbury has made the call for a Green New Deal the central theme of his campaign.

CT: Third Party and Independent Candidates Stand Together to Call for Politics of Inclusion

From the CT Mirror:

Minor party candidates stood on the State Capitol steps today before a small crowd to launch their campaigns and to ask they be invited this election cycle to debates with major party candidates.

"We are very much shut out of the debates and discussion," said Tim McKee, the spokesman for the Green Party, adding that 42 percent of registered voters in the state are not affiliated with any political party. "We want more voices and more choices."

John Mertens, who is running for the U.S. Senate with the Connecticut for Lieberman party, said both of his opponents - Republican Linda McMahon and Democrat Richard Blumenthal - have turned down debates. . .

"Low turnout in the primaries shows people aren't interested in the Republican and Democratic parties. Give us a voice or this will be a none-of-the above election," said Schott Deshefy, a green party candidate for the 2nd Congressional district.

CT: John Mertens Backs Opposition to "Affiliate and Participate," Sec. of State's Major Party Propaganda Campaign and Recruitment Drive

John Mertens, an independent candidate for US Senate in Connecticut, has said he strongly supports the growing opposition to "affiliate and participate," the major party propaganda campaign and recruitment drive launched by Sec. of the State Susan Bysiewicz early last month. Since Daniel Reale, an independent-libertarian candidate for Congress in CT-2, lodged a formal complaint against Bysiewicz's propaganda drive, the Green Party candidate in the same race and the Free and Equal Foundation have come out in support of his efforts. See this post for background and source-links. Contacted for comment via email, Mertens wrote:

As a third-party activist for many years, Chair of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party, and independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Connecticut in 2010, I strongly support Dan Reale's efforts to oppose the Secretary of the State's use of tax payers' dollars to promote partisanship. I've contacted Dan and offered my assistance.

CT: Green Calls Out Congressional Democrat for War Hawking

From The Day:

Scott Deshefy, the Green Party candidate running for Congress in the 2nd District, issued a statement on Wednesday criticizing the district's representative, Democrat Joe Courtney, for voting against a resolution to pull American troops out of Pakistan.


The Green Party had urged Congress to pass House Resolution 301, introduced by Reps. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and Ron Paul, R-Texas, which said President Barack Obama's plan to increase the number of U.S. military personnel in Pakistan would violate the 1973 War Powers Act. The bill was defeated by a vote of 372-38 in the House on Tuesday.

Free and Equal Statement on the Connecticut Sec. of State Major Party Propaganda Campaign and Recruitment Drive

Free and Equal as issued a statement on CT Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz's "affiliate and participate," major party propaganda campaign and recruitment drive:

Dan Reale lodged a formal complaint against Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz with the Office of State Ethics, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the Federal Election Commission. . . . Dan Reale is a Libertarian currently petitioning to be on the ballot for U.S. House in Connecticut’s 2nd Congressional District. Dan was a recent guest on our Free and Equal radio show and that interview can be heard at our website.

The “Affiliate and Participate” campaign includes TV and radio commercials with Susan Bysiewicz urging unaffiliated voters to join the Republican or Democratic Party and vote in their primary. . . .

“Bysiewicz is clearly asking independents and voters in other alternative political parties to join the Republican or Democratic Parties,” said Christina Tobin, CEO and founder of Free and Equal Elections Foundation. “Joining one of the two power parties is only one way voters can affiliate and participate in our election process. Bysiewicz is blatantly failing to educate voters about all of their options by concentrating her message to urge people join the two political parties she mentions.” . . .

“Bysiewicz is using her office to solely promote membership in the Republican and Democratic Parties with this public campaign and I believe that is wrong. Why isn’t she running TV commercials asking voters to participate in candidate selection by signing petitions for Green, Libertarian, Independent, Working Families or Connecticut for Lieberman party candidates?

CT – Exclusive: Green Party May Join in Legal Action Against Sec. of State's Major Party Propaganda Campaign

Scott Deshefy, the Green Party candidate for Congress in CT-2, has stated he is likely to ally with Daniel Reale in taking legal action against Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. As reported at Poli-Tea on Monday, Daniel Reale, an independent candidate for Congress in CT-2, lodged a formal complaint against Bysiewicz with the Office of State Ethics, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the Federal Election Commission.

A response to the Secretary of State's so-called "affiliate and participate" propaganda campaign, the complaint accuses Bysiewicz of using state funds and resources to boost enrollment in two specific parties, misusing public funds to influence the outcome of federal and other elections, misusing the official seal of the Secretary of State's office for this purpose, and substantially complicating the ballot access petition efforts of third party and independent candidates for office in the state.  (See TPID's interview with Reale discussing the complaint.)

Candidate Deshefy concurs with the substance of Reale's complaint. Contacted for comment via email, Deshefy stated: "I talked with Reale about this action and concur that the Secretary of State behaved capriciously, abused her office and acted preferentially towards the two corporately-funded parties, all to the detriment of other parties and candidates in CT."

Deshefy notes that Bysiewicz could have acted within the law, but over-stepped those bounds in specifically advocating that voters register with the Democratic and Republican parties. "Had she said that everyone should register to vote and not mentioned only two of the major political parties in CT (the others being Independent, Green and Libertarian), then she would have been on safe ground and doing her job. Instead, she chose to become an advocate for Republicans and Democrats, which is abuse of her office," he said.

Deshefy further intimated that the Green Party may join in the legal action, saying, "The Green Party is scrutinizing Dan's action and will likely ally with supporters of this legal action."

Exclusive: Interview with Daniel Reale, Independent Candidate for Congress in CT-2, on his Complaint Against Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz

Earlier this month Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz began an aggressive propaganda campaign instructing voters to register with the Democratic and Republican parties ahead of the state's August 10th primary elections. Bysiewicz launched the effort at a press conference flanked by leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties and political establishment. In response to this partisan political push, Daniel Reale, an independent libertarian candidate for Congress in the state's 2nd CD, has now lodged a formal complaint against Byscewiz with the Office of State Ethics, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the Federal Election Commission. See this post for background and details. Contacted via email, Mr. Reale says his ultimate goal is to "make sure the Secretary of State stops using public money and resources for political ends." What follows is the text of an interview with Mr. Reale conducted via email this past weekend.

First, when did you file the complaint?

Reale: Yesterday (7/23/10).

What prompted you to do so?

Reale: I'm opposed to the Secretary of State misusing her seal and public money in order to work on behalf of the Republicans and Democrats. Contrary to popular belief, the Secretary of State's office is not a political action committee. At the very least, the whole exercise is a political contribution to both major parties. It's one thing to advocate for voter registration, but it's another to use public money to prop up a private organization.

You may recall that Linda McMahon's campaign was under scrutiny because it wanted to pay people $5 for every registered voter they could sign up as a Republican. I'm no fan of Linda's, but at least she had the common sense to know the boundary on these things and back away. And you could imagine what sort of heat the Secretary of State would catch for using her office to promote the registration of Libertarians and Greens.

Otherwise, Bysiewicz has been crossing into a legal gray area for years, using her office in ethically questionable ways to say the least. While I found this to be morally objectionable, these were the sort of things you couldn't legally hang your hat on. But I didn't expect something this egregious in terms of ethics, elections, misapplication of public resources and political action committee violations - all in the same package.

I'd counted on running into illegal activity this time around with the determination to make sure those engaging in it were held to the fire. Unfortunately for Bysiewicz, we'd caught her first and all the evidence is out in the open. Given that third parties stuck to civil actions only to see this type of behavior continue, setting these cases up for prosecution is the way to go. Otherwise, they'll continue engaging in criminal acts in order to give both parties preferential treatment and paying us with our own money once we win the civil suit in court. My complaint is the first step in that process. The more elections officials we catch, the better. I'm tired of people complaining about how unfair the treatment of third parties has been - we all know that. It's time to do something about it.

Given the substance of the complaint, why do you think the Secretary of State finds it appropriate to propagandize the people of Connecticut in this way?

Reale: It could be that she means well but isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. It could also be that she knows both major parties are in trouble. I'm inclined to believe it's both. And career politicians have a weird, sociopathic way of justifying what they did after the fact. You may have noticed that in most states, there were efforts to unseat incumbents in both major parties by using the primary process, something that the Tea Party, paleoconservative groups and others had advocated.

The fact that this has failed in the vast majority of cases with a few high profile exceptions says that the electorate is rejecting this approach for the game of three card monte it is. Our Secretary of State may not be brightest (or come off that way), but she has the political savvy to see the writing on the wall.

As an independent candidate for Congress, how do the SoS's actions adversely affect you and your campaign?

Reale: The sort of two party registration drive she's pushing for will absolutely overwhelm town clerks. My petition drive is one of several planning to submit thousands of signatures. Last time, things were already complicated enough to a point where the Secretary of State's office misplaced several thousand petition pages. Even during years with low turnout and interest, it's bad enough. You also have to bear in mind that the Secretary of State's office currently overwhelms town clerks as it is, normally. Add this to a primary on August 10th and a petitioning deadline of August 4th. The Independent Party alone has submitted 11,000 signatures for the senate race. The Working Families Party is collecting around the same amount for the governor's race. My requirement is 3,300 signatures. These are only three examples out of many. And the clerks only have two weeks after that to check them all.

What kind of response are you expecting?

Reale: I'm expecting the state agencies to throw it away, in which case I use CT General Statutes 9-355, official fraud or neglect. That'll get you up to a year in jail. If I have to use 18 USC 13 to make it federal, so be it. However, I expect the Federal Election Commission to move forward, in which case, we also place the state in the highly unusual position of arguing the Tenth Amendment or owning up to what happened.

My goal is to make sure the Secretary of State stops using public money and resources for political ends. If I can't make that happen, my goal is that the Secretary will face substantial fines, jail time and/or punitive damages on the civil end. On the civil side, I'm pursuing her in her personal capacity, not in her capacity as a public official. Overall, I'm gathering additional evidence for a grand jury complaint. If we find more things to add, we'll add them - even if it includes driving a mile per hour over the speed limit.

How do you intend to follow up on it?

Reale: Considering that this was also set up as a tort letter, the Secretary of State has 60 days to respond or repair. This will inform me of what actions need to be taken on the civil end. On the prosecution side, there will be a criminal complaint filed. If the state or the feds do it, great. If not, that's where I come in.

Have you attempted to persuade others to lodge similar complaints?

Reale: Yes, and with some success for the 24 or so hours it's been sent. There were a few concerns about retaliation in terms of the petition drives, but to me, that only helps the case and gives us the opportunity to supplement the criminal complaint down the road.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions!

CT: Independent Party Running Full Slate of Candidates

From the CT news Junkie:

Connecticut Independent Party leaders said Tuesday that they collected 11,000 signatures, which is more than enough to get a full slate of statewide candidates on the ballot for the November election. “This is a great day,” said John Mertens, a U.S. Senate candidate who is seeking the endorsement of the Independent party. Mertens has already received the Connecticut for Lieberman Party endorsement.



“This day will mark the day the game has changed,” he said as he stood on the steps of the state Capitol.  The 30 Independent Party candidates want voters to know there’s more than two parties on the ballot this year. “To think out of the box, you look in the middle and that’s where the Independent party stands,” said Cicero Booker Jr., the Independent candidate for lieutenant governor. Booker currently serves as the minority leader of the Waterbury Board of Aldermen. Mike Telesca, the State Agent for the Independent Party and Waterbury Town Chairman, said Connecticut’s Independent Party began in the Waterbury area in 2003.

CT: Republican-Turned-Independent Plans Gubernatorial Bid

From the Connecticut Mirror:

Tom Marsh is working for a big promotion. As first selectman of Chester, a Connecticut River Valley town with a population of less than 4,000, he oversees a workforce of 20, not counting teachers, and a budget of a little more than $12 million.

In his next job, he hopes to take on a workforce of 55,000, a budget of $18.6 billion and a constituency of 3.5 million. Marsh wants to be Connecticut's governor. Marsh says his decision to run for governor, first as a Republican and now as the candidate of the Independent Party of Connecticut, arose from the frustrations he experienced as a small-town official trying to cope with local problems and issues, and getting little help from Hartford.