HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was elected to the Senate on Tuesday in a bruising cage-fight of a campaign against pro wrestling mogul Linda McMahon, extending the Democrats’ hold on the seat.
Blumenthal, one of Connecticut’s best-known politicians, withstood an advertising onslaught funded by tens of millions of dollars from McMahon’s own pocket and survived a scare last spring when it was reported that he falsely claimed or implied on repeated occasions that he served in Vietnam.
With 3 percent of precincts reporting, Blumenthal had 51 percent of the vote to 47 percent for McMahon, a Republican political novice who touted her business experience in the world of wrestling.
Blumenthal, 64, will fill the seat held by Democrat Chris Dodd since 1981. Dodd decided not to seek a sixth term back in January amid lackluster poll numbers.
Blumenthal, attorney general for two decades, won despite a furor that erupted last spring, when The New York Times reported that he repeatedly told audiences he served in Vietnam, when he actually remained stateside with the Marine Reserve. He told voters he “misspoke” and never intended to mislead anyone.
The McMahon camp boasted that it was responsible for the story and called Blumenthal a liar, but the controversy all but died down.
For her part, McMahon was dogged by questions about her role at World Wrestling Entertainment, a company she and her husband, Vince McMahon, transformed into a global behemoth that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
In the final month of the campaign, Blumenthal and other Democrats ran TV ads accusing McMahon of being a bad CEO who didn’t care about the welfare of her employees. Her critics also made an issue of steroid abuse in pro wrestling and the WWE’s raunchy shows.
McMahon performed on the WWE several times, taking part in some of the elaborately scripted back stories that play out like violent soap operas. She was surely the only candidate in the nation who had to answer questions like: Did you really kick that guy in the you-know-what?
McMahon, 62, is believed to have spent at least $50 million of her own money on her campaign.
She portrayed herself as a different kind of a candidate — a business executive, not a career politician, and someone who knows how to create jobs and shake things up in Washington.
In the closing days of the campaign, after she had been criticized by some as too aggressive, she ran TV ads and sent out mailers accentuating her feminine side, pointing out that she is a mother and grandmother.
Both she and Blumenthal sparred over what to do about the Bush-era tax cuts. While Blumenthal supported extending the cuts for those earning $250,000 or less, McMahon contended that all the tax cuts were necessary, including those for higher-income earners. She argued those would help small businesses hire more workers.
They also clashed over the Wall Street bailout — he opposed it, she supported it with certain conditions.
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MUDFLAPS
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 8:05amcome on now, this guy fought in Viet Nam, WW2, the Civil War, he was next to Ceasar when he sacked the Germanics. He walked on the moon to find a parking space for Neal… come on. its CONNecticut.
Report Post »He was there to pull the guys out of the mines, He helped columbus, if it hadnt been for him moe would not have ever met larry and curley. come on people get with the program. This sunken faced beast is the second coming and we are missing him again.
misteryuck
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:59pmWell, at least Chris Dodd is gone.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:39pmI feel sorry for Connecticut!
Report Post »LittleLordFauntleroy
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:12pmYou elected a liar. Good for you.
Report Post »LadyLiberty
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:31pmBlumenthal.. REALLY CONNECTICUT?? Are you all THAT stupid? The man is an utter menace!
Report Post »SeptamusNonovant
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:37pmIt’s sad, but I think CT really is that stupid. I’m only 30… I know others my age or younger who think George W. Bush was trying to bring about the Biblical Apocalypse by invading Iraq…. I know one dude who was more than happy to let the state pay for his broken leg…. one dude even said “What’s wrong with Karl Marx?”
Report Post »Canuck GB Fan
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:30pmCan someone help me out? Why on earth would people re-elect Barney Frank?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They must be crazy! ???
Report Post »Buckaroo
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:37pmyou’ve never visited MA-4 have u? Think bezerkely on the Atlantic [!]
Report Post »Canuck GB Fan
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:47pmNo I haven’t but now that I understand, not sure I’d want to! Thanks Buckaroo :}
Report Post »SeptamusNonovant
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:26pmI really hate that I’m in such a progressive state. Once Glenn and Pat decide to leave CT I should probably follow them! We had an even more fiscally conservative candidate in the primary but he had no shot in this state (though we also had a progressive Republican ex-Rep trying to run as well). It saddens me that New England won’t seem to wake up! In fact, the only House seat Republicans will gain, it was for Chris Shays’ seat, and the Republican calls himself a “Chris Shays Republican.” Shays was a progressive that got ousted by the Democrat that’s currently there!
Report Post »johnnyfive
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:19pmI don’t get how you (theblaze) or whatever agency can call a race with 1-5% of precincts reporting?! Oh, so and so won. Yeah, we still have 99% of votes to tally first
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:26pmGood point. I think they use historical data that says once this particular percentage has been counted, historically if the margin is so and so, it has never went the other way. But as you point out, it could change. I hope so.
Report Post »half pint
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:18pmthey should have run someone better than mcmahaon
Report Post »Patriot Z
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:13pmthat is sad..odonnel yeah she was a long shot. but seriously how can you elect a man who lied about serving in a war? i couldnot elect anyone who did that even if i supported them
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:11pmHey I am 49 years old and fought in WWII …people are idiots !
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:07pmoh well
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:26pmBeing from CT. I‘d like to say I’m so sorry, For every time we see this idiots face on TV, and we will, way to much! I’m HammerheadMike and I approve this message, good night
Report Post »America. Semper Fi! Real Marines don’t need to lie!
2
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:43pmBlumenthal doesn‘t even know ’The US Constitution.’
Report Post »Conn what the Hell are you doing to your State.
Robert W
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:49pmCt. like other lib states are stuck on stupid. Must be something in the water. B Franks back in? Really? You people in mass. need shrinks.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on November 2, 2010 at 9:54pmToo bad the fine folks from CT believed the spin from Clinton and Obama. I am also a former Marine but never had to lie about my service to which I am extremely proud of with an honorable discharge. To embellish your service record speaks volumes about this guys LACK of character. Now he can go to Congress and it will be interesting what type of fabrications he will tell the people who sent him there. I would think people were tired of sending liars to represent them, but guess they will continue to find out the hard way. This guy is truly dangerous and I hope CT has some type of recall avenues when needed cause I think he will be poster boy for this down the road.
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