Candidates on cutting room floor
In recent days, I’ve lugged an extra briefcase containing nine notebooks that document interviews with candidates in preparation of endorsements.
It’s the notes in the margins of paper and memory that linger. Flashes of candidates’ personalities, character and humanity, along with occasional reminders that they deserve for more people to turn out on Election Day given everything they give up for this.
The dress code: We keep endorsement interviews casual, as an opportunity for candidates to drift from familiar boilerplate talking points.
Most of the names atop the ballot have danced this dance before. They dress formally, and neckties that were left in the closet during primary season interviews return as the noose tightens closer to Election Day.
Oz Griebel, who is running as an Independent for governor, is the only candidate who wears cufflinks.
State Rep. Mike Bocchino of Greenwich shows up for his session wearing a Boston Red Sox cap during the World Series. It feels like a dare to prove we are nonpartisan. He earns points for boldness.
Click bait: U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, A Democorat, is speaking solemnly about having to nurture different life skills to reassure constituents rattled by unpredictable rhetoric coming from Washington, D.C., or more commonly, President Donald Trump’s Twitter feed.
They express concern over threats to Roe v. Wade, of insults to minorities, of feeling under siege.
“I’m a pretty tight guy and being a calmer and receiver of emotional energy has been interesting and challenging,” Himes explains in a measured tone. “And I’ve tried to be optimistic and calm.”
It’s here that the “tight guy,” the self-described “calmer-in-chief” shifts gears to bust out an exaggerated impersonation of the most heightened concerns he hears.
“THIS IS 1930s GERMANY!” he screeches, arms flailing.
His improv lasts for about as long as it takes to plunge the shutter of a camera.
Himes hears the lonely CLICK. He realizes he has been captured in mid-flight. His voice changes frequency and he breaks the fourth wall by acknowledging the shutterbug.
“Thanks for getting that on camera,” he says wryly.
It was just one CLICK, but we can’t waste it. See the photo above.
Hearing voices: The only other candidate to summon an impersonation was Republican Matt Corey, who is trying to topple U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy. Corey mused about Irish family origins. When he recalls being challenged about a family name sounding Scottish, he produces a convincing brogue from County Donegal. So, he essentially impersonates himself.
Keeping the names straight: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont keeps a piece of paper at his elbow bearing the names of the editorial board. It seems like every time he looks through the glass walls of our room, though, he catches a televised face with a name he can’t forget: Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, whom he tangled with during the August primary.
Counting the seconds: Moments of silence catch our attention when we ask Republican Attorney General candidate Susan Hatfield about whether she discussed strategy with Bob Stefanowski, the GOP candidate for governor.
She offers a simple “no.” We try again. Jacqueline Smith, my counterpart at The News-Times and The Hour, asks if Hatfield made an overture and Stefanowski was unreceptive.
“Umm ...”
She pauses for five seconds (I count them on the recording). “I ...”
She pauses for another seven seconds, pivoting to gaze to her spokesman. She momentarily looks like a student who forgot homework and is hoping a fire alarm will start blaring.
Then she regains her typical poise. “I’m always there to give advice if people ask for it.” The interview we turned
down: The only candidate who declines our invitation for an endorsement interview is Stefanowski. That is less surprising than this email: “Dear Stamford Advocate,
I was wondering if you were still doing candidate interviews this cycle for endorsements, and if so, if it was too late for me to schedule mine? Thanks so much!
Caroline Simmons”
It might not seem odd for a state representative to want to defend her record, but Simmons, a Democrat, does not have an opponent. Traditionally, we skip such interviews.
I get the sense from her response that Caroline misses the game (“competition is better and more healthy and fair for our democracy”).
Finally, she concedes “it does take away some of the stress.”
Which is why I was surprised by her request in the first place. She is, after all, expected to give birth to her first child in a matter of days.
Her husband, who proposed to her two years ago via an ad in the Stamford Advocate, is Art Linares, who served as a state senator representing Westbrook.
Dad is a Republican, so Simmons may be kissing babies to win a vote after all.
It’s the notes in the margins of paper and memory that linger. Flashes of candidates’ personalities, character and humanity, along with occasional reminders that they deserve for more people to turn out on Election Day given everything they give up for this.