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POLITICAL PERSUASION

Unusual Options

06/30/08

The 2008 presidential election may provide a unique opportunity for Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

The state’s two U.S. senators, Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman, may be asked by either winner — Obama or McCain — to leave their senate posts to join them on a ticket or in the new administration.

Although both men deny any interest, it’s easy to see how either might find himself on the short list for a variety of positions. Sen. Dodd might be a great choice to run on Obama’s ticket. His deep roots in the party could help heal the wounds of the primary battle and his experience could — literally and figuratively — provide the gray hair Obama lacks.

Lieberman is as close to McCain as anyone in national politics; he is a constant traveling companion on the campaign trail and a policy soul mate. It is hard to imagine Lieberman running again for vice president — and this time as a Republican — but that hasn’t stopped the talk. He has also been mentioned as a possible choice for secretary of state, or to head the nation’s defense or homeland security agencies. Either one of those jobs might look better at this point in his career than a possible three-way race for reelection in 2012.

Which brings us back to Gov. Rell, who would have the opportunity to appoint someone — presumably a Republican — to fill any vacancy left by Dodd or Lieberman moving to the executive branch.

Let the speculation begin. She could appoint herself to fill the vacancy, earning her a unique place in history as someone who ascended to two high offices — governor and U.S. Senate — without campaigning. It’s unlikely though, because it would look self-serving and there is little evidence she would enjoy the senate.

Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele is in a position to lobby for the appointment, but his move up would saddle Rell with a Democrat as lieutenant governor. Not that she hasn’t dealt with that before.

Ideally, Rell would choose an ambitious Republican who would use the interim appointment as a platform to run for the office in his or her own right and keep the seat in Republican hands when voters get their say. Still, her choice needs credibility. The selection must carry the gravitas to pull off the role. Some possible choices include:

Chris Shays — The only Republican left standing in the New England House delegation. He faces another tough campaign this year for reelection. Here’s a case where a loss could turn into a promotion under the right circumstances.

Rob Simmons — Former congressman from the second district, currently the state’s business advocate. Looking for a bigger challenge. Might be a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010. An appointment to the senate could eliminate him as a potential Rell challenger.

John McKinney — State Senate Republican leader. No more qualified than his counterpart in the state House, but with his father’s congressional pedigree — it’s a concept the news media would buy into.

L. Scott Frantz — Successful businessman, chair of the Bradley Airport board of directors and the Connecticut Development Authority. Prodigious fundraiser and current candidate for the state Senate. This choice would look like a payoff for his fund raising. His record of public service would blunt that criticism.

Chase Rogers — Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. Rell’s appointment. When first appointed to the Superior Court, she was listed as an unaffiliated voter. But that could change. This would be a good government choice that would be hard to question. And it would fit with the governor’s efforts to promote women when given the chance.

Dean Pagani is a former gubernatorial advisor. He is V.P. of Public Affairs for Cashman and Katz Integrated Communications in Glastonbury.