Recently, there have been plenty of discussions about the Connecticut Gubernatorial candidates. Ned’s campaign manager complained about ‘insider’ politicians. The Malloy campaign made comments about other gubernatorial candidates getting tired of their polo ponies. My wife and I joked that Rudy Marconi, who has had the best videos of this election cycle so far, should do one with Ned Lamont and Dan Malloy in the backseat of a car squabbling. “Insider… Polo Ponies… Insider… Polo Ponies”. Then, Rudy would turn to the back seat and say, “If you kids don’t start behaving, I’m pulling this car over right now.”

Of course, that doesn’t really move the discussion ahead a lot either. Meanwhile, the blogs are starting to ask what’s really going on. Over on My Left Nutmeg, Branford Boy wrote, CT-Gov: Ned <yawn%gt; Lamont Announces for <snore%gt; Governor asking where all the excitement is. Even in Virginia, they are picking up on this since Ned Lamont has hired Creigh Deeds’ former campaign manager, Joe Abbey. Deeds, and by extension Abbey are both perceived as being a bit to the right of Lamont and there has been a discussion there about whether or not Lamont is running to the right.

After that, I had an interesting discussion with Ned about his campaign. He wanted to address some of the issues that I’m concerned about and I applaud him for that. First and foremost, we discussed the Citizens Election Program. He spoke about his support for that, if everyone is participating, but with some of the Republican candidates opting out, and even running advertisements already, he spoke about the importance about responding now instead of waiting until after the primary.

Another issue we talked about was the Sick Pay bill. He focused on the importance of job creation and how it is important to make sure that the hundred thousand people on longer term unpaid leave find new jobs. He suggested addressing the unemployment issues first and then addressing sick pay issues. As to the bickering between campaigns, Ned said that he has told his staff not to engage in those sorts of discussions.

So, let’s talk about the issues. How do we make sure that people can afford their houses, their health care, their heat, their food, and other things necessary to get by in our great state? How do we make sure there are enough good jobs, enough good doctors, and a wise use of energy in our state?

Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro is visiting the Flabeg Solar US Corporation’s Naugatuck manufacturing location. What can Rep. DeLauro, and the next Governor of Connecticut do to make sure that Connecticut is well placed for job growth in the emerging green economy? Yesterday, State Sen. Colapietro and Senate President Pro Tempore Williams met with a tailor and drycleaner to highlight their views about legislative plans to grow jobs in Connecticut by providing assistance to small businesses. How do we provide this sort of aid while addressing the budget issue?

Earlier this month, Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi called for medical tort reform in Connecticut, expressing a concern about a “full-fledged doctor shortage”. How will his proposals protect patients from malpractice and at the same time protect doctors from frivolous lawsuits, excessive damages, and the related high premium prices?

In my mind, we have some great candidates for Governor that are well qualified and have great ideas. I want to hear those ideas. I want to see the ideas compete in the marketplace of ideas, and see new ideas emerge to even better address the issues of our state, so, can we talk about the issues now?