Senator Blumenthal: Ideology and Voting

Blumenthal's DW-Score is -0.418 for the 112th, which was good for the 8th most liberal in the Senate (Bernie Sanders was the most, Lee from Utah being classified as the most conservative). This matches with Govtrack ranking Senator Blumenthal as the most progressive Senate sophomore. The ADA gives Blumenthal a ratting of 90%, indicating very liberal. The National Journal, an American magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends, in 2013 ranked Blumenthal as the most progressive Senator.

The reason for Senator Blumenthal being so progressive is the State he represents. Gallup, one of the largest polling intuitions in the world, ranked Connecticut as the 4th most liberal state in the Union (including District of Columbia). Connecticut is a New-England state, which has traditionally been very liberal geographically. An article from the New-York Times, a major news source, described this geographic coincidence in a 2014 article, "The American political divide may have arisen not so much from different conceptions of human nature as from differences in how best to tame it. The North and coasts are extensions of Europe and continued the government-driven civilizing process that had been gathering momentum since the Middle Ages. The South and West preserved the culture of honor that emerged in the anarchic territories of the growing country, tempered by their own civilizing forces of churches, families and temperance." Blumenthal's interest group ratings reflect the states preferences. Blumenthal is rated 100% by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a gun control group, which makes sense given the liberal nature of Connecticut and the tragedy of the Sandy-Hook school shooting. Blumenthal is also given 100% by pro-choice groups NARAL and Planned Parenthood, which is in line with the views of the state as a whole and makes it hard for Blumenthal to be portrayed as a moderate.

Govtrack also shows Senator not being bi-partisan, he is ranked as the least bi-partisan out of all Senate Sophomores. Out of the 398 bills Blumenthal co-sponsored, only 16% were introduced by a non-Democrat. In addition, Govtrack ranks Blumenthal in the bottom 20% of all Senate Democrats for writing bi-partisan bills. This overall reflects the fact Blumenthal is one of the most liberal senator representing one of the most liberal states during a period of polarization in Congress. It would be politically difficult for Blumenthal to sign a bill created by a conservative senator. Blumenthal is bi-partisan on issues that his constituents like, such as veterans benefits. In February of this year Blumenthal introduced legislation with Senator Moran (R-KS) to expand benefits for veterans.

  

Committee Assignments

Committee on Veterans Affairs  

Senator Blumenthal is the Ranking Member for the Committee on Veterans Affairs. According to the committee's website, the purpose of the committee was "created in 1970 to transfer responsibilities for veterans from the Finance and Labor committees to a single panel. From 1947 to 1970, matters relating to veterans compensation and veterans generally were referred to the Committee on Finance, while matters relating to the vocational rehabilitation, education, medical care, civil relief, and civilian readjustment of veterans were referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare." This committee is ranked as the second most valuable committee according to Kieth Edwards and Charles Stewart's 2006 paper on "The Value of Committee Assignments in Congress since 1994"

 In typical Blumenthal active legislating fashion, the Senator has already introduced legislation. Blumenthal introduced an amendment to the Senate budget that would improve care and benefits for veterans. Blumenthal used this as an opportunity to release a statement on his website: "This amendment builds on the reserve fund in section 307 to provide for better medical research into the issues affecting women in our military, most particularly women who become veterans, which is a neglected aspect of health care in our Veterans Affairs health care system. This is a valuable committee assignment, caring for veterans is popular with both parties. This is a committee assignment that allows for credit claiming easily, as well as gaining speaking engagements. This can be seen by Yale Law School bringing Senator Blumenthal onto campus to give a speech on Veterans Health Care benefits.  

Armed Services Committee

Senator Blumenthal is also on the 4th most powerful Senate committee according to Edwards and Stewart, the Armed Services Committee. According to Senator Blumenthal's website, the Committee on Armed Services is responsible for overseeing the nation’s military forces including the Department of Defense, military research and development, and a variety of other national security issues. This committee is of particular interest to Senator Blumenthal due to the naval base at New London CT. Senator Blumenthal has stated "I am honored to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which oversees our nation’s military and all matters of our national defense. I am dedicated to protecting the hard-working men and women at the New London Naval Submarine Base, as well as the high-tech manufacturing workers across Connecticut who provide cutting-edge equipment to our military." This assignment makes it easy for Blumenthal to show he is representing Connecticut's interests by keeping this base open and protecting the jobs that it provides. 

Judiciary

Senator Blumenthal is also on the Committee of the Judiciary. Senator Blumenthal's website states The Committee on the Judiciary has a wide range of responsibilities including judicial nominations, certain counterterrorism and homeland security issues, intellectual property, criminal law, as well as maintaining oversight of the Department of Justice. Senator Blumenthal has been a champion of Internet privacy and safety, as well an aggressive advocate for consumer protection, and looks forward to using his position to fight for Connecticut families. Consumer protection has long been a major point that Blumenthal has trumpeted. The Connecticut Post, a large circulation newspaper in Connecticut, stated that in regards to Blumenthal's time as Attorney General in CT; "It is indisputable that Blumenthal has changed the office he holds, moving away from the traditional role of state attorney to one of citizens' advocate." Senator Blumenthal used his position to preside over S.1696, The Women’s Health Protection Act: Removing Barriers to Constitutionally Protected Reproductive Rights. This is an issue that is important to progressive voters in his state and it provides advertising and credit clamming opportunities. 

Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

Blumenthal is the subcommittee ranking member of the Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security subcommittee of the Commerce Science and Transportation committee. This committee is focused on protecting consumers, right up Blumenthal's alley.  Blumenthal recently introduced legislation that would require used car dealers to repair safety defects, recalls before selling. Senator Blumenthal released this press statement: “There are now more than 46 million cars and trucks on our nation’s roads with unrepaired safety recalls; last year alone, five million used cars subject to safety recalls were sold to new owners without the necessary repairs. This critical legislation will protect consumers and help reduce the number of unsafe cars on the road.” Considering the emphases Blumenthal has placed on consumer protection through out his career, this is an incredibly important subcommittee for him to be on to show to his constituents his following through on his promise to protect consumers. 

Senator Blumenthal: Electoral Circumstances

Last Election 

In the last election, running for an open seat, Senator Blumenthal defeated his Republican challenger Linda McMahon by a margin of 55% to 43%. 

In this race Blumenthal was outspent by a margin of $50 million to $9 million. A lot of McMahon's campaign finances came from her own personal fortune. Her husband is Vince McMahon, owner of WWE, and is worth $1.2 billion dollars. In her past two senate races, Linda McMahon has spent over $100 million of her own money on the campaigns, setting a new record for using personal fiances on campaigns. 

Even with the massive difference in fundraising, Blumenthal commanded a large lead over McMahon until a scandal broke that Blumenthal may have lied about serving in Vietnam. This caused his lead to shrink 14 points in the polls, but he was able to weather the storm and win the election. 

2016 Primary Election Outlook

At this time, ballotpedia does not list anyone challenging Blumenthal in the primary. Govtrack.us rates Blumenthal's bills introduced and co-sponsored as the 6th most progressive in the Senate. His progressive stance would make it difficult for a primary challenger to unseat him. 

2016 General Election Outlook

Senator Blumenthal's 2016 election out look is very strong. PublicPolicy has his approval ratings at +22, second highest for Senators up for reelection, behind only Chuck Grassley of Iowa. Redstate.com, a conservative news source, does not think any Republican challenger stands a chance. They rate the likelihood of a Republican victory at 3%. This is considered a very safe Democrat seat. 

Campaign Finance Status 

Given the safe nature of his seat, Blumenthal has fund-raised well below the Senate average according  to opensecrets. Blumenthal does have personal wealth to draw upon if needed, he is the 8th wealthiest member of Congress according to rollcall, with a net worth of $52.93 million. 

Strategy: Senator Blumenthal

Active Legislator 

Photo credit

"Aggressive advocacy for me has been an important part of my job" Senator Blumenthal

Senator Blumenthal's strategy is to legislate early, and often. And then legislate some more. If Senator Blumenthal is not sponsoring legislation, then you can bet he is on the look out for legislation he could co-sponsor. Govtrack.us's 2014 report card for Senator Blumenthal shows that Blumenthal introduced 63 bills during the 113th Congress, which is number one for Senate sophomores, and ranks 13th overall. Blumenthal did not just introduce bills, govtrack.us shows that Blumenthal was able to get two bills passed, good for 18th best in the Senate. These bills were S. 1174, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, and S. 2807, Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013. Opensecrets states that Blumenthal co-sponsored 396 bills (median is 233) during the 113th, good for 3rd overall. Govtrack.us rates Blumenthal's bills introduced and co-sponsored as the 6th most progressive in the Senate. This strategy makes sense given the deep, deep blue nature of Connecticut's constituency. This ideological stance is useful for appealing to the general feelings of his constituents, but opens him to the charge of being an active part of the problem of the bi-partisan gridlock. Senator Blumenthal has made efforts to show he is willing to work with Republicans on issues that are in  line with both parties, such as a bill he co-sponsored with John McCain on providing mental health services to returning veterans. Senator Blumenthal stresses this bi-partisanship and shares credit claiming with Senator McCain in the opening parts of this interview with MNSBC's Morning Joe. Senator Blumenthal also takes positions on ISIS and Israeli PM's upcoming controversial speech to congress.  

Back in Connecticut Senator Blumenthal returns to speak on his active legislating in the Senate on behalf of the state of Connecticut. He especially likes to focus on areas of consumer protection. The Connecticut Mirror, a independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to coverage of Connecticut politics and policies according to INN, states that "Over the past two years he’s (Blumenthal) hounded automakers over defective ignition switches and airbags, the NFL over sports blackouts and domestic assaults, and electronic cigarette makers over their advertising to teenagers." His voting record shows his serious commitment to consumer safety, but his actions do not always show he cares about his personal safety. This ironic video shows him almost getting hit by a train as he is a part of a news conference on commuter safety in Connecticut. This trip does highlight how he returns to Connecticut to promote his advocacy on consumer protection, in the state of Connecticut and the nation.

Say hello to Richard Blumenthal, champion of the old

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) 

Biography 

Age: Born February 13th, 1946 (68)

Residence: Greenwich, Connecticut (Born in New York City)

Family: Wife, Cynthia. Has four children.

Religion: Judaism

Early Life and Education  

Richard Blumenthal was born and grew up in Brooklyn New York, the son of a Jewish immigrant from Frankfurt Germany. Senator Blumenthal received his B.A. from Harvard University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Senator Blumenthal then attended Yale Law School where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law Journal. Blumenthal served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1970-1976, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. 

Previous Experience

Senator Blumenthal started his political career serving as an administrative assistant to US Senators Abraham Ribicoff and Daniel P. Moynihan. Blumenthal also served as a clerk to US Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun. From 1977-1981 he was the United States Prosecutor for the District of Connecticut. Blumenthal became a state representative in 1984, representing the 145th district of Connecticut.  In 1987 Blumenthal became a state senator representing Connecticut's 27th district. Blumenthal was elected Connecticut's Attorney General in 1990, a position he held until his election to the senate in 2011.

In the Senate 

This is Blumenthal's first term in the senate, having been elected in 2011. Senator Blumenthal is the ranking member for the Committee on Veterans Affairs, as well as serving on the Committee on the Judiciary, Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Fun Facts 

-Blumenthal was classmates with future President Bill Clinton and future Secretary of State Hilary Clinton at Yale

-Blumenthal was awarded the Fiske Fellowship which allowed Blumenthal to spend a year studying at Cambridge University in England following his graduation from Harvard

-Senator Blumenthal is a large advocate for senior citizens, voicing commitment for the preservation of social security and medicare, as well as sponsoring legislation to stop elderly abuse

-Senator was an opponent of the death penalty. As an attorney he represented a client who was wrongly convicted, staving off his execution 15 hours before he was set to be killed by the state. Following his run for attorney general he switched his position to supporting the death penalty  

Connecticut 

Statehood- 1788

Origin of name-  Based on the word “Quinnehtukqut,” which is Mohegan for “Long River Place” or “Beside the Long Tidal River” 

State Motto- Qui Transtulit Sustinet, “He Who Transplanted Still Sustains”

State Nickname- “The Constitution State,” adopted in 1959

State Capital- Hartford

Fun Fact- Connecticut was one of only two states that did not ratify the 18th Amendment (Prohibition). The other being Rhode Island. Yay beer!

Demographics (2014)

Population- 3,596,677

White- 81%

Black or African American- 11.3%

Hispanic- 14.7%

Median Household Income- $69,461 (US average is $53,046) 

Sources:

• http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html 
• file:///C:/Users/Eric/Downloads/Connecticut%20Fun%20Facts%20(1).pdf
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Blumenthal
• http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/nyregion/20conn.html?_r=0
• http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/biography
• http://www.factmonster.com/us-states/connecticut.html
• http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question3444.html
• http://www.world-wide-gifts.com/images/large/acrylic-fridge-magnet-united-states-of-america-connecticut-state-flag.jpg