Democrats took quite a drubbing of Election Day 2002.

The Presidency, Senate and Congress are now Republican controlled, and for the first time since the 1950s, a majority of our Connecticut Congressional delegation is Republican.

Here in the 30th District, 14 of our 15 towns voted overwhelmingly for John Rowland for Governor, including the traditional Democratic strongholds of Torrington and Winsted.

The failure of Democrats to succeed can be attributed to two things: lack of coherent message and lack of money to get that message out. Gubernatorial candidate Bill Curry was outspent by Governor Rowland more than 4 to 1. No matter what issues Curry brought forth, including child safety concerns, run-away spending and property tax relief, it was impossible to convey his message to the public without  money to buy
PHOTO: Goshen Democrats led by Chairman Rob          television-advertising time.
Bongiolatti and State Senate candidate Robert
Marconi at the Democratic booth at the
Goshen Fair, September 2002.

Congressman Jim Maloney faced the same situation against Nancy Johnson, as did State Senate candidate Robert Marconi in his race against Senator Andrew Roraback.

Along with a lack of money, Democrats failed to focus and capitalize on a large range of pressing issues facing our state and our country.

Without a doubt, there exists two Connecticuts. There is the one where everything is wonderful and nice, and there is the real one of downsizing and layoffs, thousands without adequate health care coverage, failing city public schools and power line cables that destroys shellfish beds in Long Island Sound.

Oftentimes during this most recent election cycle, Democrats chose to align themselves with the Republicans on Republican issues, rather than uphold the traditional Democratic causes of support for working families, affordable health care for all, quality public education and support for the environment.

In many ways, along with our failure as a party to adequately address public safety and homeland security concerns, we allowed our issues to be turned and used against us. Special interest groups with their massive campaign contributions controlled the message, and in doing so kept us from a healthy debate of the issues confronting our state and our nation.

Democrats need to re-energize and re-focus their ideas and their message, while continuing to beat the drum of campaign finance reform to level the candidate playing field for future elections.

Now is not the time to throw in the towel and give up. Our message is strong. It is one of hope and one of equal opportunity for all. It is not about corporate greed and allowing the wealthy to rule, while the average worker and senior citizen continues to get squeezed in the vice of excessive payroll and property taxes, skyrocketing prescription drug, health insurance, and college tuition costs. Our message is one for the future, and in time will prove us right.

Audrey Blondin is a local attorney, a 30th District Democratic State Central Committeewoman and was a member of the Litchfield Board of Selectmen from 1993-2003. She is a resident of Litchfield.