Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Governor

It was raining on Thursday, so I went to the State Capitol to take some indoor photos for days when I can't take pictures outside.

Soon after I arrived, the Governor walked past with a security guard and another man.  They stopped so the Governor could talk with a group of schoolchildren and their parents.  When he finished, I asked him to pause for a photo.  Here it is.  Just one chance.  Not bad.

Governor Dannel Malloy was elected Connecticut's 88th Governor in November 2010 after sixteen years as the Mayor of Stamford.  Malloy is a Democrat and eked out a very close win over his Republican opponent.  It looks like the state employee unions are going to reject a package of modest wage and benefit concessions intended to close the $700 million state budget gap, so next week he will have to lay off 7500 state workers.  I don't know why he is smiling.

21 comments:

Malyss said...

Mouth is smiling, but not the eyes..He was smiling only for you! :)

Birdman said...

He knows something you don't know. hahaha

Leif Hagen said...

Timing is everything and yours was perfect! Hi Gov!

Our former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is from Eagan and his family lives in Eagan. But now he's gone a lot campaigning for the 2012 presidential race...

Kate said...

Many state budgets are in a mess right now. Ours is no different. Don't get me started on politicians and their ilk. The monetary events in Europe aka Greece scares the daylights out of me! Have to add that your photo is very good, and I'm also interested in the inside of your state capitol building; I assume that we'll see more in future days.

Unknown said...

I second Kate: don't get me started on politicians! I don't know much about yours but I can speak for mine... and for other europeans too! If Greece 'falls to the ground', Portugal will be next, so you may guess how worried we've been (and will be) on this side of the Atlantic lately... Have you watched the demonstrations on the streets of Spain?

cieldequimper said...

I have to agree with Malyss. It is so unfortunate that money always is spent so unwisely by the powerful.

Regina K said...

Oh let's hope something in the budget changes, the Governor cannot afford to layoff workers if he wants a chance at re-election. Plus our economy does not need more unemployed.

Sylvia K said...

No, don't get me started on politicians either! Not today!! I, too, suspect the smile stopped at the mouth! Great capture though! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Jack!

Sylvia

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

He is smiling because he can now add to his official biography "Featured in Hartford Daily Photo" along with having been Mayor of Stamford .

Randy said...

Nice of him to stop for the photo.

Shannon said...

Under pressure and still takes a good shot.
I wouldn't want to be a politician, it sounds like a cliche' but it really does seem like they all sell their souls even if they start out with all these noble plans and intentions. Because even if you are clean, you start mucking around in a stagnant, decaying pond and you absorb what is around you.

T. Becque said...

Ouch, 7500 workers! Good thing the kids are too young to understand.
By the way, I do have lots of photos with colorful houses dripping off the hillside as you put it :) I'm sure I'll be posting some at some point.

RedPat said...

It seems there are the same problems all over the world!

Michelle said...

He was just putting on a good face I suspect. The economy is bad in so many places these days.

Cildemer said...

Politics is not my cup of tea either!
And I agree with most of your visitors! He seems to be smiling only for you! So, you were lucky, weren't you;o)

***
Hope you are having a nice and happy weekend, Jack****

Oakland Daily Photo said...

I'm not sure our governor knows how to smile. But then again, there isn't much to smile about these days.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Wow Jack here's me coming after a day out to find you have started a political hooha!!!hahaha! Yes I definitely think he is not smiling with the eyes and even the smile is a little bit 'tight', such quick thinking on your part to snap the picture Jack and I agree he should be chuffed to be on Hartford Daily..

VP said...

Perfect timing, Jack! May be he is just smiling for the children...

Louis la Vache said...

Greedy public sector unions are causing havoc nationwide...lavish wages and benefits at our expense, making more both in wages and benefits than the private sector workers who are footing the bill.
(sigh)

Lynette said...

7500, oh that's sad for everyone involved.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

He is smiling because he is a politician and you have a camera... (hehe)

Great shot and quick thinking, mon ami!

Bises,
Genie