DESTEFANO SHINES IN 1ST GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE WITH GOV. RELL

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DESTEFANO SHINES IN 1ST GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE WITH GOV. RELL

October 10, 2006

Hartford Inquirer

New London, CT - John DeStefano, Democratic nominee for Governor, proved in tonight's live, televised debate that there is a clear choice for Connecticut voters between Gov. Jodi Rell's inaction and politics of the past, and the bold, new ideas and leadership that he and running mate Mary Glassman will bring to the Governor's office.

While DeStefano offered real solutions, Gov. Rell had no answers for her poor record on health care, job growth, and controlling energy prices. She was also unwilling to make an honest assessment of her 25 years in public service, and sounded like President Bush, when she said she couldn't think of a single mistake she had made.

By contrast, DeStefano talked about his record of leadership and progress as mayor of New Haven, and promised to bring his years of experience working to solve difficult social and fiscal issues to leadership of the state.

The mayor questioned Governor Rell's campaign ads that tout job growth that put the state "on the path to becoming a national leader in job creation." The mayor pointed out that Connecticut is 45th in job growth, with jobs for only one third of high school graduates each year, and said that the Rell Administration has its priorities skewed. "You'll never be confused about whose side I'm on - it's on the side of working families who are trying to make ends meet."

DeStefano took aim at the Governor's claim that she is running an ethical administration because she supported campaign finance reform, saying that ethics applies to all areas of government, not just campaign contributions. "How is it ethical to have 75,000 children without health care?" The mayor talked about his own plan to provide 0 million in energy rebates to taxpayers through a windfall profits tax.

He further criticized the governor for withholding news of a 50 percent energy rate hike from customers until after the election, a decision that defies state law. While Governor Rell claimed to have passed and funded a comprehensive plan to address transportation problems in the state, the mayor pointed out that she has failed in simple oversight, such as watching over projects already underway, like the reconstruction of I-84 near Waterbury, where the FBI is investigating contractor misconduct in the installation of drains. Mayor DeStefano got one of the biggest laughs of the night responding to Governor Rell's refusal to acknowledge her unwillingness to endorse the candidate of her own party in the race for U.S. Senate. "I hope I am never in politics long enough to give an answer like that," he said.