In a few short months, Chris Healy may be on the verge of doing something no one else has done in almost twenty years: Make the job of state party chairman relevant.
Healy took over the role of chairman of the Republican Party in February. Since then, he has taken a higher profile role than previous chairmen, on the issues; and on the future of Republican politics in a state dominated by Democrats.
His chairmanship has been highlighted by two big early wins.
Though the press of Connecticut, most in the Legislature and the ethics police had known for years about Jim Amann’s practice of using his office to collect money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, it took criticism from Healy to force the establishment to review the practice and determine it should stop.
The second big victory for Healy, was to score an appearance by Fred Thompson at the party’s annual fundraising dinner, less than a week before Thompson got into the presidential race. For the first time in recent years, the dinner attracted the national political press and fired up the troops, making them believe that while they may be small in number they are a force to be reckoned with.
Healy’s story is a Quixote-like tale of a true believer. Long before he ascended to party chairman, his license plate read CTGOP-1 (the “1” representing his district, not his current post). He has been a loyal Republican soldier for years and is more than familiar with the losing side of campaigns and issues. Yet, he keeps getting up.
True Believer
His loyalty is to the party and its principles, not any single dominant GOP personality. In 2000, he went against the party establishment by backing John McCain over George W. Bush. He led another fight to oust a long serving Connecticut representative to the Republican National Committee. That time, he lost. Despite his willingness to fight those in power in the party, he has survived long enough to fight his way to the top of it.
It has been said that when you get knocked down, the other guy only wins if you don’t get back up. Healy always gets up.
And that is his message to the party he now leads. He is not focused so much on the issues of today as he is on the issues that will be important tomorrow. Since day one on the job, he has said he wants to focus on recruiting candidates and returning the party to its core issues.
He sees the state drifting helplessly into a whirlpool of Democratic dominance where government grows bigger every year, taxes go up and the people have no power to fight back. His goal is make sure the Republican Party does not allow that to happen.
Small Thoughts
He has a tough job. Many Republicans in the legislature have come to accept their role as the minority. Some are content to be sideline critics as long as their seats are safe. It has been difficult to recruit candidates, because the feeling has been, the state party stands for nothing except protecting what little political real estate it has left under its control; the governor’s office, a shrinking legislative minority and one congressional seat.
Geno Auriemma once said, “When I came to UConn there was no where to go but up. That’s why I took the job.” Healy takes over the Connecticut Republican Party in a similar situation. His stubborn refusal to stay on the mat may be just what the party needs to make a comeback, or least summon the strength to put a stopper in the drain.
Dean Pagani is a former gubernatorial advisor. He is v.p. of public affairs for Cashman and Katz Integrated Communications in Glastonbury.
