Cam Staples has dropped out of the AG race, leaving only George Jepsen and Susan Bysiewicz standing. Unfortunately, for Susan, we also learned today that the Republicans have appealed the trial court’s decision finding her eligible to run for the office, so you might say she is only half standing.
The appeal shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. It’s the logical thing for them to have done. The Connecticut Supreme Court (which I assume will take the case, which might on the first instance have to be filed with the Appellate Court) can expedite the process, but I don’t think they can speed it up fast enough for a decision prior to the convention. That leaves the delegates with a practical problem.
Putting aside ones views on who would make the best Attorney General, you have to consider the fact that there is some legitimate uncertainty about whether Susan is even eligible for the job. Court’s are reluctant to step in on questions of this sort, at least they have been historically, for reasons that are somewhat understandable. On the other hand it is the job of the courts, like it or not, to enforce the law, and it just may be that the court may find Susan’s active practice to have been a tad too inactive.
My bet is that she’ll win, and that it will be decided prior to the primary. The Republicans are apparently banking on the tapes or transcripts of her depositions to do her in, assuming she wins the primary. I don’t buy into that, for the simple reason that very few people will be paying attention to the AG race, and the heavy spending on the Senatorial race (I’ve been saying for months that McMahon will get it, and that now looks like a sure thing) and on the gubernatorial race, will suck the air right out of the other constitutional races. Let’s not forget those races don’t have much air even in those years when billionaires and millionaires aren’t spending money like water. Susan would have to say something a lot more damaging than an admission that she has only been to small claims court to get much attention one way or the other. That’s the way she should want it, of course. The less attention paid to the race, the more name recognition counts, and she has that in spades.
By the way, I’ve spent a lot more time in court than Susan, but I would be the last to say you need courtroom experience to be an attorney general. It’s more important that you understand the legal issues that come before you and are able to get the people working for you to advocate effectively.
All that being said, I’m leaning Jepsen.
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