CT-SEN

Former GOP Rep. Shays To Seek Comeback In Connecticut Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | August 22, 2011, 1:22PM

Former Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT)

Former Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), who was defeated for re-election in the 2008 Democratic wave after 21 years in office, has announced that he will run for Senate in 2012, to succeed retiring Democratic-aligned independent Sen. Joe Lieberman.

As the Greenwich Times reports, Shays moved to Maryland soon after his 2008 defeat. A check of the voter rolls show that he was re-registered as a Connecticut voter just this past Friday in Bridgeport, where he and wife bought a condominium last year when he was considering a run for governor.

"Betsi and I excited to be back in Connecticut," Shays, told the paper. "These are all the steps that I am taking so that I can have the opportunity to run for Senate. I hope to be on the ballot next November."

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Susan Bysiewicz

William Tong Reports Impressive Fundraising Haul In CT Senate Race

Michael R. Corjulo | July 7, 2011, 12:52PM

State Rep. William Tong (D-CT)

As second quarter campaign fundraising numbers pour in from around the country Connecticut State Representative and Senate candidate William Tong is making a huge splash with his impressive second quarter haul. Competing with Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Tong drew in $550,000 before the June 30th deadline as reported by Politico.

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CT-SEN

Poll: Dems Hold Double-Digit Leads In Race For Lieberman's Seat

Jon Terbush | March 24, 2011, 8:44AM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

A new PPP poll of registered voters in Connecticut shows Democrats with big leads in hypothetical match-ups for the seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Lieberman (CT-I).

In the poll, two potential Democratic candidates, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz and Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT), comfortably led a number of potential GOP challengers, posting double-digit leads in every potential match-up included in the survey.

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CT-SEN

PPP Poll: Murphy, Bysiewicz In Close Dem Primary For CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | March 22, 2011, 5:40PM

CT-SEN Democratic candidates Chris Murphy and Susan Bysiewicz

A new survey of Connecticut by Public Policy Polling (D), commissioned by Daily Kos, shows Democrats starting out heavily favored to keep the open seat of retiring Dem-aligned independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, with the two candidates Chris Murphy and Susan Bysiewicz starting out in a close primary.

Murphy, a three-term Congressman, and Bysiewicz, a former Connecticut Secretary of State, are in a statistical dead heat at 40% for Murphy, to 38% for Bysiewicz. The survey of likely Democratic primary voters has a ±4.9% margin of error, and the primary is a long way off -- in August 2012.

In a wider sample of registered voters for the general election, Murphy and Bysiewicz both lead all five possible Republican opponents, none of whom are officially in the race: 2010 nominee and former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, 2010 candidate and former Rep. Rob Simmons, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, and state Sen. Scott Frantz.

2012 elections

Lieberman And Hutchison: We Could Have Won If We Weren't Retiring

Eric Kleefeld | January 24, 2011, 2:57PM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX)

The three senators who have announced their 2012 retirements thus far appeared Sunday on This Week. Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) both maintained that they think they could have won re-election -- and the other, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), only commented on why his state has turned against the status quo in Washington.

All in all, these reactions seemed to coincide with the chances that these same individual Senators' seats would stay with their current party or caucus.

Following Conrad's retirement, the Cook Report changed the rating of this race from "Likely Democratic" to "Toss Up." Before Lieberman announced his retirement, Cook had the race as only "Leans Democratic," due in part to the possibility that a three-way race could split the Dem vote and throw the seat to the Republicans -- but it is now the much safer "Likely Democratic." And Hutchison's seat has seen no change -- it was "Likely Republican" before she announced her retirement, and it is "Likely Republican" now.

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CT-SEN

CT-SEN Candidate Chris Murphy: 'The Filibuster Is In Dire Need Of Reform'

Eric Kleefeld | January 20, 2011, 4:32PM

Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT)

On a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) laid out some key priorities of his newly-launched campaign for the Senate seat held by retiring independent Sen. Joe Lieberman -- with filibuster reform being one of his top concerns.

Murphy said that during his travels throughout his House district, "I've heard a real frustration with the U.S. Senate, and how it too often stands as an unjustifiable barrier to positive change." He said that his campaign would discuss issues such as the economy, but also reforming the Senate so it is no longer, in Murphy's words, "an old boys' club" that stops progress on key issues.

"Part of the reason that reform can't occur in the Senate is because of the way they do business," Murphy laster said, during the Q&A. "The filibuster is in dire need of reform. Whether or not it needs to go away, we need to reform the way the filibuster is used, so it is not used in the order of everyday policy, but is only used in exceptional circumstances."

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CT-SEN

Rep. Chris Murphy Launches CT-SEN Campaign, Second Dem In The Race (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 20, 2011, 11:03AM

Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT)

Democrats now have a primary in the Connecticut Senate race, where incumbent independent Sen. Joe Lieberman is retiring. Rep. Chris Murphy has officially announced his campaign -- and in his announcement video, he clearly pitches himself as a more liberal change from the ex-Dem Lieberman who split with the party over foreign policy.

"Connecticut deserves a new progressive voice in the Senate," Murphy says "who listens to us, who knows that creating jobs requires extending health care to all Americans, and that reducing our deficit means bringing these wars to an end."

Murphy also makes an interesting pledge of openness during the campaign: "So think of this as me knocking on your door. If you send me a question or a comment, I'll respond -- to every single one. Because the only way we do this, is together."

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Joe Lieberman

Lieberman: 'Too Early' To Say Whether I'll Support Obama In 2012 (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 20, 2011, 10:35AM

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT)

With Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) retiring in 2012, he's already positioning himself to be as independent as he's ever been. In an interview with the right-wing NewsMax site, the former Democrat said that it's "too early" to decide whether he would support President Obama's re-election bid in 2012.

"I haven't agreed with everything he's done, but I think he's building a decent record," said Lieberman, who endorsed and campaigned aggressively for Republican nominee John McCain in 2008. "The reason I said it's too early is because we're only halfway through the Obama administration and we don't know who the Republicans will put up, so I'll watch it with real interest."

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Goodbye, Joe: Lieberman Announces He'll Retire In 2012]

Is it conceivable that he could back a Republican, NewsMax asked? "It's conceivable, but I wouldn't want to overstate that," Lieberman responded, "because I think in many ways President Obama, particularly in the past several months, has heard the voice of the American people in the election last November, and I think he's followed that course."

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CT-SEN

Goodbye, Joe -- Lieberman Announces He'll Retire In 2012

Eric Kleefeld | January 19, 2011, 12:52PM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), the man whose rich and varied political career has seen him become a one-time Democratic vice presidential nominee, a party apostate, and then a prodigal son of sorts, has now made it official -- announcing that he will retire from the Senate in 2012, after four terms in office.

Lieberman began the announcement by thanking his wife Hadassah, and telling a joke. "I was thinking about a year into the Senate service, with all the back and forth travel, it's not easy on the spouses. And Hadassah said to me, 'Joey, how long are you gonna stay in the Senate?'

"And I said, 'Sweetie, I want to make a promise to you: I promise that when Regis leaves television, I'll leave the Senate. And here we are."

Lieberman's announcement follows yesterday's news that a high-profile Democrat, former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, was jumping into the race. The news was a clear sign that even though Lieberman had publicly mulled running again as a Democrat, there were a good number of state Dem politicians who were not willing to give him a free pass. And in addition, the polls showed that he would face a serious uphill climb in trying to win.

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CT-SEN

Reports: Lieberman Expected To Announce Retirement

Eric Kleefeld | January 18, 2011, 5:18PM

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT)

An increasing number of reports are indicating that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who is set to announce tomorrow whether he will run again, will ultimately announce that he is retiring in 2012.

The Hartford Courant reports:

"You can bet the farm" that Lieberman won't seek a fifth term in 2012, said a Democratic insider who is close to the 22-year Senate veteran. But neither Lieberman nor his Senate office would confirm that.

And now The Day in New London reports:

Sen. Joe Lieberman will announce Wednesday that he won't seek re-election in 2012, multiple sources close to the senator said on Tuesday.

...

The Lieberman announcement will come just a day after Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz announced her plans to run for his seat.

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CT-SEN

Lieberman To Announce 2012 Plans On Wednesday

Eric Kleefeld | January 18, 2011, 2:00PM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who lost his Democratic primary in 2006 but has remained a (sometimes shaky) member of the Democratic caucus, will announce tomorrow whether he is running again in 2012.

A big development occurred in the race today, when former state Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz threw her hat into the ring.

Lieberman has publicly mulled the idea of running as a Democrat. However, he would probably face a tough fight in a primary.

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CT-SEN

Report: Dem Susan Bysiewicz To Run Against Joe Lieberman

Eric Kleefeld | January 18, 2011, 9:44AM

Former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz (D)

Former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz (D) is set to declare that she is running for the Senate seat now held by independent Sen. Joe Lieberman -- who, of course, still sits as a member of the Senate Democratic caucus.

The Connecticut Mirror reports:

A friend briefed on her Senate plans said that Bysiewicz, who won statewide races for secretary of the state in 1998, 2002 and 2006, intends to circulate a pollster's memorandum detailing findings that she remains well-known and popular.

Her announcement is likely to nudge U.S. Reps. Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney, who also are considering a run for the Democratic nomination for Senate, toward a decision.

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CT-SEN

Blumenthal Pins Down McMahon, Wins Connecticut Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2010, 8:29PM

Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon and Sen.-elect Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Unfortunately for Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, she couldn't write the ending to this storyline. In the Connecticut Senate race, Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has defeated McMahon, the Republican nominee, in the contest to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd.

With less than 1% or precincts reporting, Blumenthal leads by 62%-36%, and has been projected as the winner by Fox News and NBC News. (Keep in mind that with so few precincts in, the margin is likely to fluctuate considerably throughout the night -- the current numbers are not final.)

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CT-SEN

Mr. McMahon Rumbles The Vote At WWE Show In Connecticut

Eric Kleefeld | October 31, 2010, 12:38PM

CT Sen. candidate Linda McMahon (R) and WWE CEO Vince McMahon.

World Wrestling Entertainment held a raucous, reduced-price event yesterday in Connecticut, with attendees encouraged by CEO Vince McMahon to vote on Tuesday, and to wear their WWE merchandise when they do so. And of course, this officially was not any kind of corporate promotion of Republican Senate nominee Linda McMahon, the former WWE CEO and Vince's wife and business partner.

The New Haven Independent reports:

Vince McMahon stepped into the ring after the divas departed. "You may think I am here to talk politics," Vince McMahon said, "but nothing could be further from the truth."

He encouraged WWE fans to vote on Tuesday and to "feel free to wear a WWE T-shirt" to the polls. He also urged them to "Stand up for WWE." Professional wrestling has been given a bad rap, he said. "We've been subject to ridicule by elitists," he said. Those "elitists" would like to tell people what they should and shouldn't watch on TV, he said. He asked fans "to stand up for what you want to watch ... for what you think is appropriate for your family to watch.".

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CT-SEN

Mr. McMahon Strikes Again: WWE To Hand Out Merchandise Near Polling Places

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2010, 5:51PM

CT Sen. candidate Linda McMahon (R) and WWE CEO Vince McMahon.

Republican Linda McMahon might be seriously down in the polls for the Connecticut Senate race, but it looks like she'll have some unconventional help on Election Day, The Day reports. Folks from World Wrestling Entertainment, the company she ran along with her husband and business partner Vince McMahon, will be handing out WWE merchandise near select polling places.

This comes after Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz's (D) office backed off from an attempt to bar voters from wearing WWE paraphernalia to polling places, on the grounds that they would be construed as electioneering materials. Vince McMahon then filed a lawsuit over the matter, a judge sided with McMahon, and the matter was dropped.

As The Day reports, Vince McMahon is now mounting this new maneuver, and boasting in a statement: "I can't think of a better way for WWE fans to celebrate their constitutional rights and freedom of expression while voting than to proudly wear the WWE merchandise that Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz attempted to prohibit from the polls."

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CT-SEN

Fox News Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 11 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2010, 11:11AM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Fox News poll of the Connecticut Senate race provides further corroboration that Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has a healthy lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 53%, McMahon 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. In the previous Fox poll from two weeks ago, Blumenthal's lead was a narrower 49%-43%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.7%-43.3%.

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CT-SEN

Quinnipiac Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 12 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2010, 9:15AM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Linda McMahon (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D)

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democrat Richard Blumenthal maintaining a double-digit lead over Republican Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 54%, McMahon 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3.7% margin of error. In the previous Quinnipiac poll from two weeks ago, Blumenthal led by a very similar 54%-43%.

From the pollster's analysis: "Linda McMahon has tried to raise Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's negatives over the last several weeks, but she hasn't been successful. He remains popular, but McMahon's own negatives have risen above 50 percent. One has to wonder if over the last few weeks McMahon would have been better off spending more of her millions on positive ads."

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.6%-43.4%.

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CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 13 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2010, 9:54AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal pulling away strongly from Republican Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment.

The numbers: Blumenthal 56%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from two weeks ago, Blumenthal had a narrower lead of 51%-46%.

As a result of this poll, Rasmussen has now changed its rating of this race from "Leans Democrat" to "Solid Democrat."

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.3%-43.6%.

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CT-SEN

Suffolk Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 18 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 21, 2010, 2:59PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Suffolk poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal an enormous advantage against Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 57%, McMahon 39%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.4% margin of error. There is no prior Suffolk poll for direct comparison.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 52.0%-43.5%.

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CT-SEN

McMahon Ad: Blumenthal Is 'Just Like Chris Dodd' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 20, 2010, 6:30PM

From a McMahon campaign ad, "Taking Care"

Republican Linda McMahon has a new ad in the Connecticut Senate race to replace Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd, who is retiring and has had to deal with a mortgage scandal involving Countrywide. So her new salvo to attack Dem state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is...Chris Dodd's mortgage?

In fact, the new one-minute ad ties Blumenthal to Dodd and Countrywide, for a settlement that Blumenthal worked out with Countrywide that this ad charges was so lenient that it was itself corrupt.

"It was the mortgage scandal that devastated our economy, created by greed and corruption at the highest levels. We know about Chris Dodd and his sweetheart deal with Countrywide. But did you know about Dick Blumenthal? Blumenthal cut a deal with Countrywide that let the mortgage giant off the hook for billions. A deal that raided the retirement funds of teachers, firemen, policemen and state employees. Blumenthal protected Countrywide, said the deal was 'in the best interest of investors.' That it wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime. But it did. Even worse, turns out Blumenthal is an investor in the mortgage giant. Billions in ransacked pensions, billions in taxpayer bailouts. Dick Blumenthal, he took care of Countrywide -- and took care of himself, just like Chris Dodd."

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.5%-43.6%.

Read more »

CT-SEN

Linda McMahon's Personal Spending In CT-SEN Reaches $41.5 Million

Eric Kleefeld | October 19, 2010, 4:39PM

Candidate for U.S. Senate Linda McMahon (R-CT)

Former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon has put a lot of her own money into the Connecticut Senate race, the Associated Press reports:

McMahon's campaign on Tuesday released a portion of her filing with the Federal Election Commission.

It shows McMahon lent her campaign $20 million between July 22 and Sept. 30, for a total of $41.5 million. She is not expected to be reimbursed for the loans.

McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has said she'll spend as much as $50 million of her own money on the campaign to fill the seat now held by the retiring Sen. Chris Dodd.

So far, however, it's not working. The TPM Poll Average gives Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal a lead of 51.5%-43.6%.

CT-SEN

Vince McMahon Web Ad: 'Let's Stand Up For WWE' Against Dem Attacks (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 18, 2010, 5:48PM

Web video from WWE, "Vince McMahon addresses the WWE Universe"

Look out, Richard Blumenthal -- it's Mr. McMahon!

In the Connecticut Senate race, Democrats have relentlessly attacked Republican nominee Linda McMahon for the corporate track record and programming record of World Wrestling Entertainment, the company where she was CEO. Now her husband and business partner, WWE head honcho Vince McMahon, has posted a new video on the WWE's YouTube account, seeking to mobilize fan support -- for the company.

"The United States Senatorial campaign in Connecticut involving my wife, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon, and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, has quite frankly put the spotlight on WWE," says Vince. "It has resulted in some negative and inaccurate attacks on our company. So, we're reaching out directly to you, the WWE Universe, our fans, to provide the real facts about WWE."

Read more »

CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal Leads By Five Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2010, 1:58PM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal a five-point lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 51%, McMahon 46%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from a week and a half ago, Blumenthal led by 54%-43%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.5%-43.6%.

CT-SEN

Mr. October? Blumenthal Pulling Away In Connecticut -- With Ex-Wrestling Exec McMahon Now On The Ropes

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2010, 7:59AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

As we head toward Election Day, one hot-ticket Senate race seems to have solidified for the Democrats: The Connecticut Senate race, where Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal faces Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon in the contest to succeed retiring Dem Sen. Chris Dodd.

A few weeks ago, Blumenthal seemed to be up against the wall. Though he has never trailed McMahon in any single poll, his lead against her nevertheless was shrinking with each new survey. He had faced heavy scrutiny as a result of having previously misstated his military service, and McMahon's pitch as a businesswoman seemed well tuned to the current environment.

On the other hand, McMahon has faced her own troubles over WWE performers who have died young, and she has had to distance herself from WWE programming. The candidates have held multiple debates, though, and a trend has now emerged of Blumenthal remaining ahead, as McMahon attempts (unsuccessfully so far) to overtake him.

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CT-SEN

DSCC Ad Blasts Linda McMahon For Dead Wrestlers (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2010, 2:16PM

From a DSCC campaign ad, "Contracts."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the Connecticut Senate race, going after her for an issue that has sometimes dogged her during this race: The deaths of current and former World Wrestling Entertainment actors.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

"Linda McMahon brags about her business experience," the announcer says. "The real story? Her company violated safety standards; was criticized for tolerating steroid and drug use; inserted death clauses in workers' contracts, in order to avoid responsibility for their deaths.

"The record? Seventeen of her former workers under age 50 have died. Linda McMahon: A bad CEO -- a worse Senator."

A fun phrase, this "death clauses" stuff. It's a lot like "death panels" -- but not totally fictional.

The TPM Poll Average gives Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal a lead of 51.6%-43.3%.

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WWE

Smackdown! How The WWE Might Bodyslam Voter Turnout In Connecticut

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2010, 12:17PM

WWE Wrestling: Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Jillian Hall

As long as Linda McMahon has been the Republican Senate candidate in Connecticut, everybody -- even conservatives -- assumed her long, infamous ties to World Wrestling Entertainment would be a huge liability for her. But it might pay off for an unforeseen reason, particularly if her opponent's narrow lead keeps shrinking.

On November 2, voters and their families will face a choice: head to the polls to vote, or rush over after work to the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport for a rollicking night of "Smackdown" -- election night fun for the whole family.

The event has Connecticut Dems working the refs.

Read more »

CT-SEN

Quinnipiac Poll: Blumenthal Extends Lead Over McMahon To 11 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2010, 9:26AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Quinnipiac poll of the Connecticut Senate race shows Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal pulling away from Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 54%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±2.9% margin of error. In the previous Quinnipiac poll from three weeks ago, Blumenthal had a much narrower lead of only 49%-46%.

From the pollster's analysis: "After Linda McMahon had climbed to within 3 points of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, he has stopped her momentum and increased his lead by 8 points in two weeks. While September wasn't very good for Blumenthal, perhaps like Reggie Jackson, he could be called 'Mr. October.'"

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.6%-43.3%.

CT-SEN

Ventura Wouldn't Vote For McMahon -- Because She's In A Political Party (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 13, 2010, 12:52PM

Jesse Ventura and Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon can't count on the support of a very notable ex-performer from World Wrestling Entertainment, where she was once CEO: Jesse Ventura, who served one term as governor of Minnesota with the state's centrist/libertarian Independence Party. But that said, it doesn't seem to be personal.

Ventura appeared on Good Morning America, and was asked by George Stephanopoulos whether he would vote for McMahon if he were in Connecticut. "No, because I don't vote for Democrats or Republicans," said Ventura. "If she ran as an independent she could possibly get my endorsement, but I refuse."

Ventura then explained that he regards the whole party system as thoroughly corrupt -- so much so that he no longer even supports the third-party movement. Instead, he believes all elections should be held on a non-partisan basis in terms of how candidates are listed on the ballot, with the parties existing only as political action committees to support candidates.

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CT-SEN

McMahon Comes Out Swinging In CT-SEN Debate

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2010, 9:31PM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

Democrat Richard Blumenthal and Republican Linda McMahon met for another debate tonight in the Connecticut Senate race. And it was a rough time all around, with both candidates lobbing attacks at the other.

Overall, McMahon was clearly the more aggressive candidate of the night, relentlessly staying on message regarding low taxes and attacks against Blumenthal for not having her private-sector experience. And she clearly had to be on offense, entering the event as the underdog. The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.3%-43.2%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

Blumenthal's performance tonight did not immediately appear to contain any clear gaffes -- and he got in a few hits, too -- so it remains to be seen how McMahon's aggressive performance will affect things.

Read more »

CT-SEN

FLASHBACK: McMahons Sued Geraldo For Airing Rape Claims By Former WWE Referee

Christina Bellantoni | October 12, 2010, 8:35PM

Seventeen years ago, after a former World Wrestling Entertainment referee claimed on Geraldo Rivera's syndicated TV show that Vincent McMahon had sexually assaulted her, the WWE founder and his wife Linda McMahon filed a lawsuit against the woman and media outlets who had made her claims public, asking for $1 million in damages due to "severe emotional distress."

Linda McMahon, who served as WWE's CEO and is now the Republican Senate nominee in Connecticut, has been deflecting past stories about the wrestling company for months as she battles Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for the state's open Senate seat now held by a Democrat. Before McMahon even captured the GOP nomination, Democrats were pushing videos of old WWE sketches that depicted mock necrophilia and simulated rape scenes. The prevalence of steroids in the "sport" and the deaths of wrestlers associated with WWE have been major political problems for the McMahon campaign.

Read more »

CT-SEN

Fox News Poll: Blumenthal Leads By Six Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 12, 2010, 11:51AM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Linda McMahon (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D)

The new Fox News poll of the Connecticut Senate race has Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal continuing to lead Republican World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, though it's possible that McMahon could be catching up again.

The numbers: Blumenthal 49%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. In the previous Fox poll from last week, Blumenthal led by wider margin of 52%-42%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The poll gives Blumenthal a solid favorable rating of 53%, with 40% unfavorable, though this is down slightly from 55%-37% last week. McMahon's favorables remain in negative territory at 44%-48%, though this is improved a bit from 40%-51% last week.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.3%-43.2%.

Read more »

CT-SEN

McMahon Goes There At Debate: Maybe Blumenthal 'Misspoke' -- Like He Did About Vietnam

Eric Kleefeld | October 7, 2010, 3:00PM

Connecticut candidates for U.S. Senate Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

Linda McMahon and Richard Blumenthal met earlier this morning for a debate in the Connecticut Senate race -- and didn't pull their punches.

As the New York Times reports, the Republican went on the offensive, claiming that the Democrat Blumenthal made false claims about her company.

"Maybe you just misspoke again, like the time when you talked about how you had served in Vietnam," Ms. McMahon said dryly, referring to the attorney general's explanation earlier this year that he had "misspoken" when he said on several occasions that he served in the Vietnam War, though he did not.

Mr. Blumenthal, who was in the Marine Reserves during the war and never left the country, gave her an icy stare before turning back to the audience at the packed banquet ball, and told them that he had inadvertently "mischaracterized" his military service on only a few instances.

"I regret it," he said. "It was unintentional."

Read more »

CT-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 11 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2010, 2:29PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal a big lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 54%, McMahon 43%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. In the previous Rasmussen poll from a week and a half ago, Blumenthal led by only 50%-45%.

Along with two other recent surveys, one from Public Policy Polling (D) and the other from Fox News (conducted via a Rasmussen offshoot), the evidence is piling up that Blumenthal appears to be pulling away after McMahon had previously been closing the gap.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 51.1%-44.0%.

2010 elections

Chamber Of Commerce Unloads New Ads Against Dems (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2010, 11:27AM

Ad from Vote For Business, "FL 8 Grayson"

The Chamber of Commerce has a whole bunch of new ads in key Congressional races, targeting big-name Dems.

One ad goes after freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), who is known for his vitriolic attacks against Republicans. "Tired of big-mouth politicians ignoring our big problems? Alan Grayson is the most extreme," the announcer says, followed by past video of Grayson famously declaring on the House floor that the Republican health care plan was for sick people to "die quickly," and also the occasion when he crashed a local Republican meeting.

"But when it comes to Nancy Pelosi, big barker Grayson turns into a lapdog."

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CT-SEN

Fox News Poll: Blumenthal Leads By 10 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 5, 2010, 11:31AM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new Fox News poll of the Connecticut Senate race gives Democratic state Attorney General a ten-point lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The numbers: Blumenthal 52%, McMahon 42%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. There is no previous Fox News poll of this race. However, this poll was conducted through a Rasmussen offshoot, Pulse Opinion Research, which performs made-to-order robopolls. In the previous Rasmussen poll from a week ago, Blumenthal had a smaller lead of 50%-45%.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

This poll provides some corroboration to the numbers released yesterday by Public Policy Polling (D), which gave Blumenthal a lead of 53%-41%. This was a big change from previous polls that showed McMahon catching up with Blumenthal -- but it's now possible that he could be pulling away again.

The TPM Poll Average gives Blumenthal a lead of 50.5%-43.8%.

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CT-SEN

A Monday Night Raw (Debate) In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 4, 2010, 9:42PM

CT-SEN candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R)

The candidates in the open-seat Connecticut Senate race, Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, met tonight for a very lively debate, with each of them maintaining a constant theme throughout: The other candidate absolutely cannot be trusted to look out for the state and the nation's economy.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

Overall, the debate was probably a win for Blumenthal -- he entered the debate ahead in the polls, with a lead of 50.2%-44.2% in the TPM Poll Average -- and no knockout blows against him or gaffes on his part occurred that would seemed likely to topple him from that perch.

Each of the candidates at the debate -- which was hosted by the local Fox station and the Hartford Courant -- steadily attacked each other on similar themes. Blumenthal blasted McMahon as a greedy corporate executive who always put profits ahead of people, and touting his own long experience as a public servant. "I have stood up for the people of Connecticut over 20 years, fighting for them tenaciously, and fighting for their interest, putting them first."

McMahon, meanwhile, made the case was that Blumenthal had spent his whole adult life in government work, and that he did not have any knowledge of the private sector that would contribute to repairing the country. "This election is about very clear choices and very different policies. On the one hand you have my opponent who has been in government his whole life. And his position is about growing government, I'm about growing the economy."

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CT-SEN

PPP Poll: Blumenthal Leads McMahon By 12 Points In CT-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | October 4, 2010, 3:57PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

The new survey of the Connecticut Senate from Public Policy Polling (D) race gives Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal a whopping 12-point lead over Republican former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon -- a big change from other recent polls that have given Blumenthal a much closer edge.

The numbers: Blumenthal 53%, McMahon 41%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. This is the first PPP survey of this race since all the way back in January.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

In addition, this poll gives Blumenthal a favorable rating of 53%, to 39% unfavorable, while McMahon's is exactly the opposite at 39%-53%.

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CT-SEN

McMahon Ad: 'Would You Lie About Serving' In Vietnam? (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 4, 2010, 12:14PM

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate

It was only a matter of time before this happened, but the final product is brutal: Linda McMahon is out with a new ad attacking Democratic Senate hopeful Richard Blumenthal for falsely claiming to have served "in" (as opposed to "during") the Vietnam war.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

The ad splices audio and video footage of Blumenthal misrepresenting his military service with a dark-toned narrator asking: "Would you lie about serving in a war? Dick Blumenthal did again and again. He covered one lie with another. He lied about Vietnam. What else is he lying about?"

Blumenthal weathered his Vietnam scandal in Connecticut when it first broke this past spring, but that was before voters really began paying attention to the election. And in the month since then, McMahon has closed what was once an enormous gap in the polls.

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