Opponents of First Selectman Candidate Rudy Marconi have launched a last-ditch smear campaign in a blatant attempt to blunt the Ridgefield Democrat's building momentum. The Hartford-based Republican State Central Committee ran large ads in this week's Ridgefield Press, attacking Mr. Marconi on a back-taxes issue that had been thoroughly explored in the media, and disposed of, months ago.
Republicans Wanted Anonymity
In a bylined article, Mack Reid, editor of the Ridgefield Press, pointed out numerous inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the Republican charges. However, his article also repeated false information, and did not provide Mr. Marconi with an opportunity to respond to the misleading allegations of the anonymous tipster. In an interview with RIDGEFIELDDEMS.ORG, Reid also related that the source of his article had wanted to be totally anonymous, but that journalistic ethics prevented the paper from accepting the charges on that basis. The Press insisted to this nameless "source" that he/she agree to be truthfully identified as a local Republican. Mr. Reid also readily agreed that the Republican charges were "somewhat misleading."
New! The Ridgefield Press has now retracted and corrected the incorrect information they published. Details here.
Morelli Not Involved? Give Us A Break!
New! RIDGEFIELDDEMS.ORG has just received confirmation that the Ct. Republican State Central Committee paid for the smear ads. Opposing Republican candidate Abe Morelli 
attempted to distance himself from the mudslinging, but it's not possible for the ads to have been run without his campaign's approval, according to state Republican sources. It is now clear that Hartford Republican bosses are pulling the strings of the Morelli campaign. Veteran political observers pointed out that the only way this Hartford-Ridgefield nexus could emerge was through Ridgefield's state representative, Republican insider Chris Scalzo.
Was "Hands-Off" Abe Morelli (Photo, right) out of the loop on this? What do you think?
Marconi Keeps To High Road
While partisan Marconi supporters speculated about the motives of Ridgefield's Republican bosses in launching this last-ditch smear campaign, Mr. Marconi took a calmer view. "Look, so far this campaign has been marked by sharp disagreements on the issues, on the way Ridgefield has been, and should be governed. But I have kept the debate focused on issues, not on personalities, rumors, or innuendoes. It's too bad that some Republicans feel so threatened by our success that they'll resort to these last-minute desperation tactics."
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