They’ve Changed the Street Names in Waterbury

Ned Lamont’s 2006 campaign for the United States Senate raised the ire of Waterbury residents in August of that momentous year when his campaign manager referred to Waterbury as the place where “the forces of slime meet the forces of evil.”  Lamont called the characterization of the city full of Lieberman voters “unfortunate.”

Lamont, now a candidate for governor, recently paid a call on loyal Lieberman supporter and Waterbury mayor Michael Jarjura, who has been flirting with a run for governor.  Lamont has a different job in mind for the former legislator who’s been mayor for nearly decade:  running mate.

Jarjura said today that in a recent meeting with Lamont, the Greenwich millionaire “alluded” to making Jarjura his candidate for lieutenant governor.  Waterbury has a lot of delegates going to the Democratic state convention, so some help from Jarjura might-or might not-nail down a big bloc.  Lamont, we understand, is having some trouble rounding up delegates in his late-starting bid for governor.

Malloy, according to Jarjura, also paid him a visit, but did not dangle the second spot on the ticket.

Flirting with potential running mates can lead to trouble in this chatty age.  The hopefuls don’t always see the distinction between a mention and an offer.  Hurt feelings often ensue.

Jarjura was delighted with Lamont’s suggestion.  How the 2006 darling of the left would explain tapping the moderate Democrat who hired felonious former governor John G. Rowland to work for the city isn’t immediately clear.  All those delegates, however, can make re-writing history easy.

The Lamont campaign doesn’t agree with Jarjura’s recollection of the meeting.  Spokesperson Justine Sessions provided this statement:

“Ned’s not taking anything for granted here, and we’re certainly not thinking about running mates yet.  Neither Ned nor his staff have approached anyone about the position.  Ned is focused on getting his message of job creation out to Connecticut’s Democratic voters, winning the primary, and becoming the Democratic nominee.”