Intrigue On The Menu

At the beginning of June, Democrats and Republicans hold their annual fundraising dinners. In recent years, they have been dull, boring affairs with only the faintest hint of the backroom politics these events used to be all about. This year will be different. The menus for both events will feature a choice of chicken or beef with a side of political intrigue.

Both events may serve as the first big test of the 2010 campaigns for U.S. Senate and governor. All the potential players will be in the same rooms, at the same time, campaigning for support among the core partisans that make up the electoral base of each party.

At the Democrats’ table, three are vying for governor: U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd will be begging the party not to force him aside; and there will be the usual questions about U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman. Will he show at all? Does he still hold a grudge? If he runs in 2012, will he ask for our nomination? Should we give it to him if he asks?

Under normal circumstances, you might expect the candidates for governor to get all the attention, but in the current environment, the warp-core meltdown of Dodd may suck up all the oxygen. Many in the party are so angry with the news surrounding Dodd over the last few months that several have been quoted as saying he should retire and at least one is making moves toward a primary challenge. Over his 30-year career, few have seen Dodd grovel. If you’d like to, tickets are still on sale. It is a fundraiser, after all.

Campaigning For Money

A few days later, in Stamford, Republicans will go where the money is for their big annual event. There too the Senate race will dominate the evening as former Congressman Rob Simmons, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri and former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley try to convince the crowd they are in the best position to defeat the wounded Dodd. Though all three are trying not to speak ill of each other, each will have an opportunity to spend the night making their case — retail style — to the people who will decide the nomination next year.

Last year, Gov. M. Jodi Rell made quite a splash by not showing up for her party’s dinner. The joke in the room was, “Gov. Tim Pawlenty made it (from Minnesota), but Gov. Rell couldn’t.” Word is the governor is not happy with the choice of Newt Gingrich as the main speaker. He’s too partisan and too big a star for her to share the stage with. Her success with independent voters lies, in part, in never being associated with the more conservative leaders of the party.

But there are other reasons to be on hand if she intends to run for re-election next year. Many Republican activists are talking about sitting out the next race for governor if Rell doesn’t show some loyalty to the party. They are still angry about her attempt to raise the income tax in 2007 and a long list of other perceived slights. Skipping another Prescott Bush Dinner could be the final straw. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele and House Minority Leader Larry Cafero will be working the room to position themselves if Rell decides one- and-a-half terms are enough.

Both events will be taking place as the legislature and governor attempt to reach agreement on how to solve the worst fiscal crisis in state history. That partisan battle will only add to the atmosphere.

Two nights featuring forced smiles and long knives. That’s entertainment!

Dean Pagani is a former gubernatorial advisor. He is vice president of public affairs for Cashman and Katz Integrated Communications in Glastonbury.