Potential candidate for Governor Dan Malloy, the former Mayor of Stamford, today released the following statement:

“Ned’s used a bunch of different excuses over the past few weeks to explain away his conversion from supporter of campaign finance reform and spending limits to supporter of being able to play by his own set of rules.  But the excuses are just that: excuses.  If Ned doesn’t want to take the time to raise money in small amounts from hundreds and thousands of people across Connecticut, that’s his business.  But he’s said he still wants to adhere to the spirit of the law, and I agree.  Which is why he should limit his spending to the $1.5M the rest of us will be spending if we become official candidates.”

“With a lead in name recognition in the latest Quinnipiac Poll, what’s Ned afraid of?  That on a level playing field he won’t be able to compete?

“When it comes to campaign finance, Ned has thrown his lot in with Tom Foley and the Republicans.  It’s unfortunate because in choosing not to participate in a program that so many state Democrats worked so hard to pass – and which he once claimed to support – Ned is dealing a blow to one of the landmark pieces of progressive legislation in Connecticut’s history.  And the Citizens’ Election Program has worked: more than 80 percent of the men and women now serving in the State Capitol were elected under CEP.

“We Democrats should care more about a candidate’s merits than their money.  We should care more about the depth of one’s experience, the clarity of one’s vision, the strength of one’s spine, and the compassion in one’s heart than we should about the size of one’s wallet.

“C’mon, Ned.  Let’s compete on a level playing field, and may the best candidate win.”