Connecticut DUers: What was Weicker like as a Senator and Governor?

[Ignacio Upton]

I have been hearing a lot of talk of Lowell Weicker running against Lieberman, who ironically defeated him in 1988 when he was still a Republican. The only things I know about him are that he left the GOP and ran for Governor in 1990 in the ballot of "A Connecticut Party" and served for only one term, only to be suceeded by the corrupt John Rowland. How was Weicker as your Senator and Governor? What were his major achievements?

[DODI]

1. He came in and saved CT by implementing a sensible

income tax with a sunset provision which gave CT a nice surplus. He was defeated by Rowland because Rowland promised to end the income tax (he never did). Instead, Rowland spent all the money and put us into debt. Weicker also made a very good deal with the Tribal casinos, adding more to the state coffers -- Rowland spent all that money too. Weicker stood against Nixon & Co. during the Watergate hearings and made enemies in his party. He knows how to make tough decisions that will hurt him politically, but benefit the people. He has been speaking out against the war since day 1. I have always had great respect for him.

[Ignacio Upton]

2. I thought he didn't run in 1994?

I kind of wish he did. He sounds like a nice guy.

[Nutmegger]

3. He didn't

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Weicker

[connecticut yankee]

4. He was not defeated by Rowland in 1994

He didn't run for Governor. His Lieutentant Governor, Eunice Groark, ran in a three way race and lost. She ran on the A Connecticut Party ticket.

The third (Democratic) candidate was Bill Curry who had zilch in the charisma department.

edited for spelling

[NewJeffCT]

5. He was always a maverick

Back in the day, he was part of the Gang of 4 - 4 moderate to liberal Republicans that were definitely to the left of Snowe, Collins & Chafee.

But, he also had a reputation for having a big ego... well, bigger than your normal politician.

As Dodi said above, he stood up to Nixon during Watergate and was originally elected by running as an anti-Vietnam war Republican vs a pro-war Democrat (hmm, sound familiar?)

While he hates Bush and much of the Right Wing, he thinks the Democrats basically lack leadership and a message.

[Cappadonna]

6. Yeah, Wiecker was always one of the better Republicans

He was very Clintonian in a way, Pro-business but not a complete criminal.