…a world where the Ninja is cruising towards a easy nomination at the Democratic National Convention, the upcoming resignation of Connecticut Governor John G Rowland is white-hot news. There are all sorts of questions being asked about whether he’d stay in office long enough to appoint a new Senator to take Lieberman’s place, the Lt. Governor would be subject to a lot more scrutiny of his own, all sorts of media coverage would be going on: heck, there’d even be GOP Merry Pranksters trying to tag Lieberman with the scandal. In short, it’d be pure political porn.
But that’s in the universe three down and two to the right. In this one:
HARTFORD, Conn. – Gov. John G. Rowland announced his resignation Monday amid a months-long cascade of graft allegations, a federal investigation and a rapidly gathering drive to impeach him for accepting gifts from friends and businessmen.
Rowland, a third-term Republican who was once one of the GOP’s rising young stars, became engulfed in scandal in December when he admitted accepting renovations at his lakeside cottage — including a hot tub and new heating system — and lying about it. Other gifts and favors soon came to light.
…eh. Just another schmuck caught with his hand in the political cookie jar. I don’t even think that they’ll be able to get a good nationwide scandal going; he’ll probably depress President Bush’s numbers in Connecticut, but I somehow suspect that particular state wasn’t particularly in play anyway. I can’t even make myself feel particularly chagrined that it was somebody from my party: the guy didn’t really ping my radar before today and his story is fairly boring in its venality. Abusing the public trust is a crime; abusing it to get a hot tub is an insult. I don’t think that they’re sending Rowland to jail, so we don’t even get that.
Yeah, I know, the scandal in that other universe sounds a hell of a lot more interesting; let’s go…
Moe
I’m from Connecticut and I don’t think anyone is shocked to see a crooked politician from Waterbury (Rowland’s home town.) And as far as scandals go, this one is pretty tame- just your garden variety influence peddling and corruption – nothing really salacious.
Besides, on list of sleazeball/corrupt Connecticut politicians, Rowland is at best a distant third behind Joe Ganim and especially Philip Giordano.
As for the impact on the presidential election, I’d predict zero. Absent gaffes of colossal proportion by Kerry, Bush can’t win CT, despite Bush family history and ties to the area. This is the state that went for Jerry Brown in the 92 Democratic primary. The only time you’ll see Bush campaign in Connecticut will probably be to raise funds from investment bankers and such on the Gold Coast. (and I doubt they’re the type to condemn a little backscratching anyway…)
A distant third behind Joe Ganim (a fallen star, a democrat and a fair son of Bridgeport). Joe, like Rowland, was a good mayor of Bridgeport (as compard to guv for Rowland). Joe, like Rowland, believed additional compensation was due him. Rowland, like Joe, will do some time. Thus, Rowland is a close second to Joe.
Rowland wasn’t a bad guv. Look what he did for UConn.
With regards to Philip Giordano, feral pigs and a swamp immediately come to mind.
Both Bush and Cheney will be in the state to raise money.