New Haven Independent

posted by: Fun with forgetting on May 14, 2010  7:54am

I like the idea of contested elections, but Hauser is a HUGE fundraiser for John DeStefano… and she was a Ward Co-Chair and Town Committee member longer than Lemar has been an Alderman.  How is she the “outsider”?

I’m not sure yet who the best candidate is, but I don’ think either can claim to be an outsider, which is fine because you don’t really care about being an outsider when someone is running for State Rep.

posted by: newcomer? on May 14, 2010  8:03am

Hauser is a political newcomer?  She was a longtime Democratic Town Committee member and for many years she has been one of the largest Democratic fundraisers in the State.

posted by: streever on May 14, 2010  8:36am

Debra, I like & respect you as a neighbor and am grateful you are joining our Ward Committee. However, you and Sabrina both ran for Ward Committee against Ray Sarracco with City Hall backing and support—you’ve long been a favorite in the Mayor’s office (I know some of his employees support you even now) and I just have a hard time seeing you as an outsider.

The delegation is in Roland’s favor because he reached out heavily to people who were delegates. He contacted many of us months ago to talk about his campaign, what he’d do, and how he’ll better this district as State Representative. I am proud to support him in this race. That is why Roland Lemar has my vote—and I hope my neighbors and fellow Ward Committee members will join me in supporting him.

Roland is a rare type of politician. Not a teammate, not someone who mindlessly opposes others, simply a hard-working, dedicated, energetic man.

I’m a bit confused to see Deb suddenly allies with long-term opponents like Brison, who worked against her as Ward Chair, and it makes me think that her campaign may not have what it takes to win. Roland’s volunteers and supporters are allied with him because we believe passionately in him and his work. People like Brison—a long-time opponent of Hauser—are allied with her because they dislike Roland.

No disrespect to Debra—again, a fantastic neighbor and good all-around person—but Roland has years of experience doing legislative work and a huge showing of support from people who are here because we believe in him. If Debra can find no other allies but those who dislike Roland for petty personal reasons, then I am not worried about the upcoming primary.

posted by: the real problem on May 14, 2010  9:16am

... you can’t buy 50 sky blue t-shirts, rent out the Eli Whitney museum, provide refreshments and buy balloons and placards on the CEP budget.  She just can’t figure out a way to win without spending boatloads of money.  Oh well.  Goes to show that even in the most liberal corner of the US of A, someone’s going to try to buy public office rather than actually engage the issues.  Who cares if you’re an “outsider”—how do you plan to fix the State’s budget crisis, grow our economy, protect our environment . . . can we get back to the issues here?

posted by: Tom on May 14, 2010  9:27am

I was hoping this article would tell us a little more about what Hauser would actually do as State Rep. I don’t want to hear about who’s an “insider” or and “outsider” or who used to be an “insider” but is now an “outsider”. What are your plans for the State and this district Ms. Hauser?

posted by: Threefifths on May 14, 2010  9:49am

She looks like Sarah Palin.

posted by: Anon on May 14, 2010  10:36am

I don’t care if she is the insider or the outsider all I care about are the issues at hand.  This is silliness.

She says taxes are too high, but wants more city taxpayer money to go into homelessness programs and all-day schools.  Sounds like the same kind of political double-talk that permeates Hartford already.  This is the same kind of thinking that has created way too many unfunded mandates for cities.

This is not new, nor is it thinking outside the box.  Her ideas are the ideas of the majority in hartford.  the ones that keep our tax dollars and return little to new haven.  The same ones that create mandates for cities and refuse to pay for them leaving new haven taxpayers footing the bill with higher property taxes. While she gets to decry a municipal budget that has tax increase because of people like her.

No sir, I don’t buy what she is selling.  She is the one playing the Hartford insider game.

posted by: Steve on May 14, 2010  11:36am

Beware!!

I think Roland Lemar is burning the candle from both ends. He wants the support of the over taxed city residents and also the undying support, money and influence of the taxpayers public enemy # 1 Mayor Johnnie!

Mayor Johnnie has failed on all his previous tricks such as getting the BOE to arrange a rally which backfired and then asking the unions to turn against their struggling neighbors to support his budget. A word to the wise, don’t become part of the falling facade!

This could backfire and cost a very good candidate for State Rep a lot of votes- East Rock is watching

posted by: Ward9er4life on May 14, 2010  11:37am

Political Outsider? Get Real.

“Hauser said she approves of the philosophy guiding the CEP and hopes it will level the playing field for candidates once the courts resolve the matter.
‘My concern is it is hard for me to plan my budget,’ she said”

Sounds like good ‘ole political double talk if you ask me… Do as I say, not as I do.

Lemar has it right. The people of Connecticut deserve candidates who are free from special interests and work for the people they represent. I am sure Ms. Hauser will dig deep into her own pockets from her “estate like home” (as described by Zillow) on Livingston St. She echoes a disturbing trend in politics, that people can buy their way into office. On August 10, voters will overwhelmingly send the message that this cannot be tolerated.

I am sure the private consulting firm she hired comes at a hefty price. According to their website: “We are the gun you bring to the knife fight.” Anything money can buy, right Ms. Hauser? Including paid poser on her facebook and twitter accounts. I wonder how many actual voters showed up for her announcement yesterday. Did the supporters come with the balloons the political consulting firm bought? I suspect she will need more than that to beat Lemar.

Ms. Hauser, a former democratic co-chair in Ward 10, brings no real experience to the office she seeks. In a recent debate on the Yale Campus, Lemar CRUSHED her on the issues. Read it here:

http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/city-news/2010/04/29/state-rep-hopefuls-debate-local-issues-campus/

Interestingly, Ms. Hauser canceled the two debates scheduled after her Yale debacle. Ms. Hauser has only a superficial understanding of the issues, not the in-depth, thoughtful solutions Lemar has outlined on his website.

I wonder if Ms. Hauser is still confident she “will take the women’s vote” as she stated in a recent New Haven Independent article.

If she legislates like she runs her campaign, just dumping money into problems (which given the current state of Connecticut’s budget simply is a plan for disaster), the choice is clear. Lemar offers creative solutions with the right experience.

posted by: Come on, relax on May 14, 2010  1:59pm

So Debbie is really bad at the press part of running for office so what?  How long are people going to chastize her for her “I’ll get all the women votes!” response?  It didn’t mean anything, just a little boistorism.  The whole “I’m in this to beat Lemar” remark she gave a few weeks ago that everyone jumped all over?  What is she supposed to say when he is so far out in front?  I admit she is not handling this clean elections stuff the right way, but give her a break, she is new to this. Let her get her sea legs and she;ll be fantastic.

And who cares about debates on Yale’s campus? Didn’t Roland go to Yale?  Of course those kids like him.

posted by: Ila Osach on May 14, 2010  2:17pm

I had the pleasure of hearing Debra Hauser’s speech last evening and it was a breath of fresh air to hear all the ideals that are so important and vital to our neighborhoods and community.

Ila Osach

posted by: streever on May 14, 2010  2:34pm

Illa, I wish you could hear her debate Lemar. I agree with you on her ideals: but I think Lemar has the ideas we need. Unfortunately, Deb has decided to cancel all the debates that were scheduled.

Come On:
I think when you are running for public office it’s time to be ready, especially when you have a seasoned, experienced, articulate candidate running against you. I don’t understand your position. Are you saying we should vote for Deb because she wasn’t sure what to do, and so made mistakes? Can you speak to her platform or her positions on key issues?

I vote for candidates based on their platform & position: based on what concrete things they will do. Inexperience is a good reason for making inarticulate statements, but if the other candidate is routinely able to describe what he’ll do and what he believes, then I think that candidate deserves the vote.

posted by: Wag on May 14, 2010  2:59pm

Hope she didn’t stiff the Whitney Museum. Bill Brown for mayor!!

posted by: 96therforlife on May 14, 2010  3:16pm

Streever,

Come on, stop spreading that big lie. Debbie did not cancel debates, she asked to have them rescheduled because of a previously scheduled family event. And as you know they have been rescheduled. I usually respect what you have to say her, but when it comes to Roland, you just go way over the top.

And about the Yale debate, you also know that the deck was stacked against her. When she requested the debate topics, she was denied that information. I bet you the same did not happen for Roland. In addition, you know that Mike Jones, the Yale alderman, stacked the house with Yalies. Clearly, this debate was set up to embarrass Debbie, real classy stuff.

And we all know that Roland, as the Mayor’s candidate, will have several parallel campaigns funded by the notorious DeStefano/Mattison PACs. She is smart to forgo the public financing so that she could keep up with this crew. (see the links to previous stories below)

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/mayors_money_fuels_ward_campaigns/

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/mayor_gets_pass_for_pac_loophole/

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/complaint_probes_mayors_ties_to_pac/

posted by: Matt Smith on May 14, 2010  3:50pm

Come On:

A note of clarification: Roland did not go to Yale, he received his Bachelor’s of Economics from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a public University.

posted by: Patrick on May 14, 2010  4:03pm

Come on, Relax,

Actually Mr. Lemar went to UMass-Amherst, nice try though. Yale students like Mr. Lemar because he is on top of the issues and has a passion for public service that we desperately need. Mr. Lemar is clearly the best candidate for State Representative in the 96th District.

posted by: jack199 on May 14, 2010  5:30pm

Are you kidding me?! Does “THE REAL PROBLEM” really believe buying 50 colored balloons and some blue T-shirts equates to “buying your way into office??!! WOW! ... The real problem is that Mayor Johnnie and the rest of the rusted old New Haven political machine is trying to buy the State Rep seat for little Roland - who can’t do it on his own, which is why he needs to resort to “clean” funding from the broken down State government. Clean funds from the state - what an oxymoron! Debra Hauser is a fresh, vibrant, and honest voice for the people. She gets it!

posted by: Everyone stop on May 14, 2010  5:50pm

Hey 96therforlife,

You goofed - those “Destefano/Matteson PAC’s” you refer too…. guess who was the head of those PACs that were subject of the investigation?  Debra Hauser.  ... And there has never been a debate anywhere that the topics were disclosed ahead of time.  Lemar likely wouldn’t have even asked to know the topics.  Thats bush league

Hey Streever,

Roland doesn’t need you to cherrlead for him - he’s got plenty of friends and has done great work…let it speak for itself and stop elevating the rhetoric.  If people listen to you, they’ll now be expecting Lemar to be the greatest orator since Lincoln, which he is not. He’s a great guy and great alder, but he’s not the 2nd coming, so slow down. everyone should cool down

posted by: newhaven22 on May 14, 2010  5:56pm

Is Streever for real? Lemar has experience doing legislative work - what like Lemar’s hard fought battle to pass a law raising chickens in the back yard?! Talk about concrete issues! What about leveling the educational playing field for all New Haven students - Deb has wonderful ideas on this - now that’s an issue for the people, not the birds! ...

posted by: marino rocco on May 14, 2010  9:28pm

Lemar must have really displeased the Mayor to have his political career sabotaged this early. If the budget vote is this vicious the city must be in big time financial do do.

posted by: Another Elected Offical on May 15, 2010  3:13pm

Everybody has the ability to enter a race and run for office. I commend all who partake in the process. Good luck to you Ms. Hauser.

posted by: R U kidding Me? on May 15, 2010  6:49pm

I have only one question – Where is the alderman from the 8th ward - Michael Smart?  He is one of the few local politicians who can claim to be independent, well informed and dependable.  As far as I’m concerned anyone associated with “The Machine” past or present can never claim to be an “outsider” - that includes Lemar and Hauser! My lord after nearly two decades of “machine politics” one would think the voters of New Haven would reject outright anyone associated with that ilk. Maybe I got it wrong.  ...

posted by: Concerned Citizen on May 16, 2010  2:54pm

Can someone who is supported by Mayor DeStefano and the approved machinery in NH be taken seriously when that person claims to be an outsider? This statement drips with hypocrisy (patently disingenuous). “Make it clear state reps are not chosen by political machines and we want a government of, by, and for the people,” she (Hauser)said.

Hauser said she didn’t expect to get the party’s official nomination at the May 25 district convention at Wilbur Cross High School. “They stacked the New Haven delegates against me,” she said, adding, “it does hurt my feelings a little.” Oh my! She is wounded! Have you noticed what has been happening politically across the country Ms. Hauser?  Besides, whether you get most of the delegates or not, you will get the required three to be on the ballot, and you have the bullies in your corner. Remember Dan Malloy in 2006?

Politics is a painful business; it is also for us when we read stuff like this. Get real. If you truly want to make a positive contribution, start with honesty and respect for the electorate.

posted by: Alan Felder on May 16, 2010  9:49pm

Alderman Roland Lemar is a professional politician we have to examine his voting record, and I bet it mirrors a rubber stamp for the administration, where is his campaign headquarters located @  (A. D. Perkins Rubber Stamp, 43 Elm St). We Americans had enough of liars and deceiver saying that they are representing us, but looking out for those with deep pockets, while they continue to dig in our pockets, let us see how he vote on the upcoming budget ” The Three Sacred Cows”.

Vote for Change Vote for Debra Hauser!!!!!!!

posted by: abg on May 17, 2010  5:43pm

Who did each of these candidates support in the 2008 Democratic primary? It seems like that is something voters might want to know.

posted by: Brian L. Jenkins on May 17, 2010  11:36pm

Independent minded Democrats, will never get the support of the DeStefano political tag-team. As a result, one should find this campaign both refreshing and easy to support.

posted by: Paul Wessel on May 19, 2010  11:42am

I met the guy, Erik Wiliams, who is described as Deb’s “campaign aide” above.  Seems like a nice, smart guy.  I assume he’s the one who came up with the “I’m the outsider” theme.  It smacks of the kind of stuff political consultants suggest to candidates - and also the kind of labeling that impedes debate on the issues.  It’s a pity that we’re subjected to that in the 96th.  I’ve trust Roland, who I support, will stick continue to focus on the issues.

I clicked on the link to Erik’s consulting firm web site that the article provided and was interested to see this:

“For the past six years, Erik has been the Political Director and Director of Constituent Services for the Connecticut Senate Democrats.”

I checked with someone in Senate leadership (an “insider” I guess) who told me that Erik left that position some years ago.  I guess he’s been too busy winning campaigns to make sure his website is accurate.