Our View: Rell owes public the opportunity to talk with her

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Our View: Rell owes public the opportunity to talk with her

Norwich Bulletin Editorial October 05, 2006

Gov. M. Jodi Rell in the past few days missed several chances to share a podium with her Democratic challenger, John DeStefano, and answer questions at a public forum. Rell does herself -- and the public -- no favor engaging in this political game.

In more than two years as governor, Republican Rell has spoken of good government and open government. The public would be well served if she found the time to take part in these discussions.

Rell, after all, has yet to be elected to a management post in government. Prior to taking over for the disgraced Gov. John Rowland in 2004, Rell had been lieutenant governor from 1994 to 2002 and state representative from Brookfield from 1986 to 1994.

Open government is about debate, where candidates make clear their positions on various issues. That should involve more than facing a panel of reporters posing questions, as the governor and her challenger will do Monday in New London.

Ordinary people should have a shot at addressing their governor. But in the past two weeks, Rell has missed forums sponsored by the Connecticut Disability Conference forum, the NAACP Candidates Forum and the Emanuel (Synagogue) Governors Forum in West Hartford.

Saturday, she sent running mate Michael Fedele as her stand-in at the Connecticut Parents Power forum in Middletown. Fedele engaged his audience by reading his responses. Tuesday, her campaign spokesman, Rich Harris, represented her at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities 2006 Annual Convention in Cromwell.

Has Rell done anything wrong? No. As Harris is quick to point out, she has a full-time job. While that's true, Rell found the time to attend a fund-raiser with former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman Tuesday afternoon. Pressed by reporters on why she couldn't attend the forum in Cromwell, she said, "Actually, I was somewhere else, and now I'm here."

That's just a little too blase. While it may seem otherwise at times, Rell is the governor of Connecticut, not a rock star. And, as noted, she's yet to be elected to that office.

Rell has done nothing wrong. But failing to use the bully pulpit to engage ordinary people in the political process effectively dismisses them.

That's unfair. Those ordinary people, after all, have accorded Rell her lofty standing in the polls. They deserve the chance to speak to her.