The art of the smear. Old Saybrook Democrats delete ugly attack on Devin Carney.

The far left is in full foaming-at-the-mouth stage in Old Saybrook. Extremist declarations on both the left and the right can seem inscrutable to the crowded center. These (posted above) are direct in their poisonous intent.

Old Saybrook Democrat Amy Elliott announced on Facebook that the rise of anti-semitism and “the general vibe of a pre-fascist state” make “voting for Martha and Colin is the only prudent and virtuous choice.” Martha is Martha Marx, a Democrat making her third bid for the state Senate in the 20th District. Colin is Colin Heffernan, Democratic nominee seeking to oust Republican state Representative Devin Carney in the 23rd Assembly District.

Laura Parker Gray, another Old Saybrook Democrat, added some touches that have often attracted fascists: scorn for religious affiliations. “Carney is a conservative Catholic,” she wrote. Carney is not a Catholic but he does know all about anti-semitism. His mother is Jewish. “He also has no women in his life.” Laura Parker Gray is a clumsy but ambitious striver in the wide world of smears. Keep an eye on her. She’ll soon accuse Carney of being related to a thespian–and this time she’ll be right.

The posts have been deleted but their intent lingers. Maybe the political weather that extremists have created is too frightening for candidates in the center–or pretending to occupy some space in the middle ground–to condemn malevolent militants. If more ground is not to be ceded, this would be a telling moment to repudiate them.

Published November 4, 2022.