Rell's Rove

MANIFESTO

The Courant is reporting this morning that

Gov. M. Jodi Rell's 2006 campaign manager identified gubernatorial chief of staff M. Lisa Moody on Wednesday as the person responsible for giving the campaign an official state list of arts and tourism leaders, who then were solicited for campaign contributions up to $2,500.

"The campaign received this list through Lisa Moody. The lists were provided on a computer disc. ... I believe all of the individuals on the list were mailed a letter," Kevin M. Deneen, the lawyer from Windsor who managed Rell's successful election effort last year, wrote in a letter faxed Wednesday to two Democratic state legislative leaders who had asked questions about the campaign solicitations.

One of those leaders immediately blasted Moody for continuing to conduct campaign activities in the governor's office, just as she had before Rell's December 2005 fundraiser at the Marco Polo Restaurant in East Hartford. Moody's actions then led to a scandal, investigations and legislative hearings for much of last year.

"I'm not surprised by this revelation. Lisa Moody apparently thinks she's above the governor's office ethics policies," said state Rep. Christopher Caruso, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the legislature's government administration and elections committee. "This is the second time Lisa Moody has done it, politicking in the governor's office. ... The governor has spoken volumes about appropriate ethics. ... Now it's time for her to act."

Moody - whom Rell suspended for two weeks in the Marco Polo affair - did not return a phone call or an e-mail seeking comment Wednesday.

Rell press secretary Christopher Cooper said Wednesday night that Moody and other staffers did nothing wrong. "The governor has reviewed this matter with appropriate staff, including legal counsel, and has answered the questions posed by [the Democratic leaders]. Again, we reaffirm that this was and is, a public list used for official purposes and thus available to all members of the public."

Caruso said the issue isn't whether they are public records, but whether Rell's office should have been using them during state working hours for campaign purposes.

Once again, Governor Clubwoman has shown that she wants everybody to play nice except when it has to do with one of her aides. The time is long past when Moody should be removed. At the very least, the appearance of impropriety is enough for Moody to be relieved of her duties, but the governor is apparently too busy baking macaroni and cheese to let her go.

To a great extent, it seems to me, Moody is the governor's alter ego: a rather frumpish woman who's willing to do the dirty work while the white-gloved governor can attend her shop openings and Junior League meetings.

At any rate, for all of her supposed ethics, the governor certainly seems willing to let a lot slide.