Spitzer Gives Over $10,000 to Lieberman

The Journal Inquirer has a lengthy article about the many large donations received by Senator Lieberman in his successful reelection campaign. Not only do the figures show that Lieberman was in a "New York State of Mind" but they also illustrate that the cold treatment Senator Lieberman received here at home by his own party did not exist elsewhere. For example, while Lieberman's own Attorney General (and successor in that office) Richard Blumenthal backed Lamont, NY's Attorney General, Governor-elect, and all-around rising star Eliot Spitzer donated over $10,000 to Sen. Lieberman. (Mayor Bloomberg also donated over $10,000 to Lieberman, raised money for him and even campaigned for him in Connecticut. To see the two of them campaigning at the Stamford train station, click here.)

Murder Rate in New Haven UP 60%

As part of a larger story concerning an increase in urban murders nationwide, the AP reports:

In New Haven, Conn., there were 23 homicides as of Tuesday, compared with 15 in 2004 and in 2005. Police Chief Francisco Ortiz said that about half of this year's killings involve young people settling disputes with guns instead of fists.

"They're all struggling with this thing about respect and pride," Ortiz said. "It's about respect. It's about revenge. It's about having a reputation. It's about turf and it's about girls."

(For the record, there was another homicide in the city of New Haven AFTER Tuesday, bringing the total homicides for the year up to 24, a whopping 60% increase.)

My question is this: where was this figure when Mayor DeStefano was touting his leadership of the city of New Haven as the reason he deserved to be elected Governor? It seems to me that the media should have reported on such a staggering and important statistic during the campaign. Of course, we know now that it mattered little. Still, it is a glowing example of media bias.

State Holiday?

In June 2004, just days before resigning his office in disgrace, Governor Rowland ordered that all state offices be closed on June 11, 2004 to honor the death of President Ronald Reagan. (For the Executive Order, click here.)

Will Governor Rell extend the same courtesy to President Ford?

President Ford Dead at 93

The AP reported just four minutes ago that Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States, has died.

Rell's Short List for Chief Justice

According to The Connecticut Law Tribune -- see link above -- in addition to the current members of the Supreme Court Governor Rell's short list contains the following names:

Bridgeport Superior Court Judge Richard E. Arnold, a Republican from Orange.

Superior Court Judge Dennis G. Eveleigh, a Hamden Democrat.

Appellate Court Judge Chase T. Rogers, a registered independent from New Canaan.

Anne C. Dranginis, a partner at Hartford’s Rome McGuigan and retired Appellate Court Judge.

Appellate Court Judge C. Ian McLachlan, of Chester.

Oddly enough, the Law Tribune reports that two of the candidates are married to sitting state judges. Everleigh lives in Hamden with his wife, Superior Court Judge Carol A. Wolven. McLachlan is married to Superior Court Judge Cynthia K. Swienton.

The other current Supreme Court Justices are also eligible. They include Acting Chief Justice David Borden, a West Hartford Democrat, Associate Justice Peter T. Zarella, a West Hartford Republican, Associate Justice Richard N. Palmer, a Democrat living in Cromwell, Justice Joette Katz, (D) of Fairfield, Justice Flemming L. Norcott Jr., (D) of New Haven, and Justice Christine S. Vertefeuille, (D) of Cheshire.

Notably absent from the list is Appellate Court Judge Barry R. Schaller. The 68 year old jurist from Guilford, who enjoys immense respect from both bench and bar, was previously rumored to be the leading candidate.

Dodd's Decision

Today's Hartford Courant contains a puff piece lauding Sen. Dodd for sacking the nomination of John Bolton to be United Nations ambassador. The Courant attempts to provide cover for Dodd's actions by explaining,

The 26-year Senate veteran nearly always goes along with presidential appointees. Dodd strongly believes that even when he disagrees with a president's choice, the chief executive has the right to have his own people, unless there's some compelling reason to object.

The Courant described Dodd's current objection as follows

Dodd said Monday that his "most fundamental reservation" about Bolton was "rewarding someone who has done serious harm in attempting to skew intelligence at the very time when our nation needs careful and accurate information and analysis. That's what Mr. Bolton did when he attempted to intimidate two U.S. intelligence analysts."

Today's Wall Street Journal contains a critical analysis of Dodd's decision, noting Ambassador Bolton's many accomplishments and explaining why his leadership is needed at this crucial time

Mr. Bolton served with exemplary tact at Turtle Bay, notwithstanding critics who said he wouldn't. More important, he has stood forcefully for American interests despite the leaks and sniping from the office of Secretary General Kofi Annan. He helped to corral votes for resolutions isolating Iran and North Korea for their nuclear programs. He was assailed for leading the fight against Mr. Annan's "reformed" Human Rights Council, but he and the U.S. are now looking prescient as that Council descends into one more Israel-bashing cabal. He also fought harder for U.N. reform than have his critics who claim to want that corrupt institution to lead the world in providing collective security.

"Realism" is back in foreign policy fashion (see the editorial on Iran), and we only wish some of that school's alleged practitioners were as realistic as Mr. Bolton. He has understood that the essence of realism is, or ought to be, to see the world as it is and speak with moral clarity about it. He offended America's enemies because he looked at their behavior and refused to excuse it. This is discomfiting to those who prefer to believe that every enemy can be appeased with talk, and that every dispute can be settled with a treaty.

It is no small diplomatic irony that, as an Undersecretary at the State Department in President Bush's first term, Mr. Bolton organized the Proliferation Security Initiative that is the one effective multilateral restraint against the spread of WMD. And it does not speak well for the American political system that it can't find a place in government at this dangerous moment in history for one of the world's leading anti-proliferation experts.

The decision by newly ascendant Democrats -- Mr. Dodd in particular -- to deny Mr. Bolton a confirmation vote on the Senate floor shows that they value partisan animosity above having a seasoned negotiator at the U.N. Mr. Bolton's graceful exit yesterday is further evidence that he deserved better, but so did American interests.

Dodd's actions will no doubt embolden our enemies and undermine the President at this, the most critical of times. While his actions are no doubt an attempt to curry favor with the far left members of his party at a time when he is seeking their approval to be President, it is we, the American people who are the losers.