Tesei Inaugurates Season of Betrayal. Knifes Obsitnik, Forms Alliance With Stewart.

Connecticut political conventions and the weeks preceding them are grim festivals of betrayals. Pledges that appear sincere are discarded in the pursuit of advantage and ambition. It is a dispiriting ritual. Veteran Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei seemed pleased indeed when he endorsed Republican Steve Obsitnik for governor. There was no reason to conclude Tesei did not mean what he said about Obsitnik. The earnest pledge has long been the reticent Tesei’s calling card.

Poor Peter. “It profit a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world,” but for a late run at lieutenant governor with Erin Stewart? Tesei’s early heavy lift will be to deliver the Greenwich delegation to the New Britain mayor, who has struggled with policy substance on the campaign trail. The potty-mouthed, tax raising mayor may not be the sort of candidate who will inspire a stampede of Greenwich delegates to her. As of Monday night, Obsitnik’s Greenwich support, which has been growing, appeared to be holding firm.

Nevertheless, this cycle’s season of betrayal has begun with Peter Tesei. It does not have to continue.