
With most of the nation’s political junkies focused on the presidential campaign, one Connecticut politician has the vision to look ahead to the 2010 race for governor. House Speaker Jim Amann, a moderate Democrat from Milford, has set up an exploratory committee for the race that begins the day after we elect a president. There may be others thinking about it, but he’s the only one taking action.
The early entrants are often the first to drop out, but the evidence suggests Amann has been thinking about this move for years and may not back down even if Attorney General Richard Blumenthal gets in. If Amann wants to continue his political career there aren’t too many places for him to go after being speaker and the odds of a Blumenthal candidacy are no better than 50-50 according to many Democratic insiders.
As a potential candidate, Amann’s flaws are first to be noticed. His personality is big and bold and sometimes his mouth is too. His term as speaker has been marked by a number of incidents where he seemed to be out of step with Senate President Don Williams and he has clashed with Governor Rell, usually coming up on the losing side.
In the You Tube world we live in, he has the distinction of being the star of a locally famous clip in which he threatens to “crush” anyone who challenges him politically in his hometown. It is an unsettling display of temper for someone who wants a job that requires diplomacy and compromise.
He supported Joe Lieberman against Ned Lamont. His support of Lieberman in 2006 won him a friend for life, but cost him dearly in the more liberal wing of his party. Lamont’s army rallied against Amann’s campaign from the moment it began and has declared Jihad against him.
On the other hand, all his flaws can be turned into strengths. His support for Lieberman and his ability to keep a hold on to the speaker’s gavel, even though his caucus is more liberal than he is, shows he is a pragmatist. Though his personality is outsized and rough around the edges, he appeals to the average guy who is also rough around the edges.
Amann’s biggest advantage is his leadership vision. Whether you agree with the vision doesn’t matter, the thing is there is no doubt he has one in a Capitol building dominated by reactionary policy making. Since assuming the role of speaker, Amann has pushed for a more thoughtful and well funded transportation policy, he has been an advocate for prevention healthcare spending – especially for children – and he has single handedly tried to develop Connecticut as a new center for the film industry.
Though each policy has been pursued on separate tracks Amann has pushed them methodically using the full power of his office. His choice of issues speaks directly to some of the biggest problems facing the state; healthcare, growing gridlock and the loss of traditional jobs. He has developed a clearly articulated agenda and worked it. Though a speaker does not have the power a governor has to lead a team, there is no doubt, those working for Amann understand his goals and are working to achieve them.
Finally, raw ambition is an attribute when seeking the highest office in the state. Those who snooze lose and so far only Amann has jumped out front in a noticeable, credible way. He has signaled he is not waiting for Blumenthal, Dan Malloy, or anyone else. Amann has established a record, demonstrated a vision and taken the first chance.
As published in the Hartford Business Journal.