Labriola

The Connecticut Republican Party has the tradition of allowing the senior elected public office holder to appoint a chairman of their liking.  (State Central members still have to elect the individual, but there's never been a case where they have collectively challenged the Governor.)

This is isn't unusual as most if not all other states do the same thing and when the President is Republican they exercise the same privilege as it regards the Republican National Committee Chair.

However; this well accepted tradition creates a problem in that the party chair's loyalties naturally are to; whoever appointed them, not to the committee that elected them, and much-less to our local town committees.

Further, the office of the chair has virtually unrestrained authority leaving the 72 members of state central only hoping they might be able to convince the chair or his or her staff to fulfil whatever task they might need so as to serve their own constituencies, their respective RTC's (Republican Town Committees)

It's no wonder most rank and file members of the party consider State Central little but a glorified Dinner Club and with such a non-responsive design it's obvious our town committees have delivered one municipal election after another on their own - while the state party has never been in such sorry straits.

After visiting over 40 RTC's, (depending on who one might speak to) we found that the state party offers little help and then on case by case, the position of the moon, and apparently depending also on which months have an "R" in them.
Others however, virtually gushed with glowing reports of service beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

That dichotomy is reason for concern. SERIOUS concern.

It is therefore time, and this might be the last chance for another few decades, to make some minor changes in the bylaws of the Connecticut Republican Party so as to make it more responsive to the base.

Such a task will require someone with enough confidence in their own leadership abilities to be willing to weaken the very office they have won.

Jerry Labriola is such a man.

Jerry's been active in the party since his late teens in the 1970's
He knows where the bodies are buried (and who buried them too!)

Labriola's familiarity with the entire state and each of our 169 cities and towns is consummate as is his knowledge of virtually all things Republican.
Labriola has pledged to allow, (if not force) the members of State Central to be more responsive to the Republicans in their own districts as well as statewide.

If Connecticut Republicans wish to reverse their fortunes of late, there is but one clear choice next Tuesday - Jerry Labriola.

ACR - Why I Supported Bill Aniskovich

A message from Doug Hageman 

After visiting dozens of Town Committees throughout Connecticut, my supporters had knit together a plan to re-engage and re-energize our Republican base.

On Monday the 13th I spent a few hours with Bill Aniskovich and a mutual friend reviewing the entire plan.  

When Aniskovich agreed with everything right down to the brass-tacks and promised to implement the entire program, I saw no reason to remain as a candidate for party chair.

His sudden withdrawal from the field leaves the program orphaned and none of the other current or past entrants have offered anything comparable what-so-ever.

Here's the facts:

Our Town Committees are doing their job - Republicans currently control about 100 cities and towns.

Clearly the "problem" is at the state level, and according to virtually every local RTC chair it's because state central doesn't listen nor behave as any sort of data clearinghouse or partner.

My team will meet tomorrow and a decision as to whether we re-enter the race or not will be forthcoming before Saturday.

This has never been about me - should someone enter who's willing to implement the plan designed by town committees and the team, we'll back that person.

Thanks!

-Doug Hageman

 

It's been a pleasure and an honor to stand as a candidate for chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party. 

I have enjoyed the opportunity to visit town committees throughout the state, and  have been delighted by the response to my message.  

Bill Aniskovich

My goal has been to use the energy and initiative of local party activists to rejuvenate the state organization. 

Conversations with Bill Aniskovich have convinced me that he shares that vision, and I am offering him my support in the race for chairman. 

Let's all look forward to working with Bill to create a strong, reliable, and victorious state party, and I hope you will join us in that effort.

Doug Hageman

Inner City Outreach

After losing big time in the cities last year, many Republicans are suddenly interested in increasing our minority and inner city efforts.

Where have you been?

Corey Brinson speaks to a thrilled ACR (Doug Hageman)

"Doug will help us compete in the cities.  

Not because it is vogue after our 2010 losses;  rather, because Doug already was doing it before anyone was ever talking about an urban agenda."

- Corey Brinson

______________________________ 

I am pleased to support Doug Hageman for State Party Chairman.

It is always difficult to endorse someone for such an esteemed position, but having known Doug Hageman for the last two years that decision was easy for me.   There are many reasons why I trust Doug to lead our Party into the future.
The most important reason is that Doug has no ego.  He wants to lead out party into the future
with the best candidates, ideas, and strategies no matter who gets the credit.  Doug will put Party before self and that is the type of leader we need in the 21st Century.

In addition, Doug will help us compete in the cities.
Not because it is vogue after our 2010 losses; rather, because Doug already was doing it before anyone was ever talking about an urban agenda. 
Doug was to our 2010 political crisis what Peter Schiff was to our 2009 national economic crisis.

Doug was with my campaign for Secretary of the State from day one.
He didn’t know me.
He attended my campaign kickoff out of a sense of loyalty to the Party.
He told anyone who would listen about my candidacy and what it would mean to our Party.
As a longtime Republican, Doug understands our Party’s history; he also knows where our Party needs to be in the future.

As chairman, Doug will fight tirelessly to ensure that we win in the cities—evident by his recent appearance at my campaign kickoff for Hartford City Council.

Above all, what I am most impressed about Doug Hageman is his enthusiasm.  
A speaker with enthusiasm is more persuasive than the most eloquent speaker without it.  Doug is passionate about our Party, what it stands for and what it can be.  That is an important quality that our next leader must possess.
This will translate at rallies, media, and with voters one on one.

Now I know that there are those who will find criticism with Doug.  However, in sports no quarterback has ever won a Super Bowl without a good front line; no golfer has ever won a major without a smart caddy; no five point guards have ever won a NBA championship without a center, and, in politics, no Chairman can win it alone.  I know that if we work as a team we can begin to win again, to build again, to hope again, to dream again and to believe again.  I know that with Doug Hageman as our next leader we can have better days in Connecticut, a better Republican Party, and more freedoms to pursue our dreams.

So I endorse Doug Hageman for State Party Chairman. 

Sincerely,
Corey Brinson

 Corey J. Brinson, Esquire
 Hartford City Council
 State Central Member
 Hartford Republican Town Committee
 2010 Candidate for Secretary of the State

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