By SUSAN HAIGH
Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Former President Bill Clinton is crediting Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy with making the unpopular decisions needed to address the state’s budget problems.
Speaking to 700 supporters at a rally Monday in Hartford, Clinton acknowledged Malloy “had a strategy that was designed to make everybody mad.” It was a reference to Malloy’s call to raise taxes, cut spending and negotiate state employee concessions to address a multibillion-dollar deficit.
But Clinton said Malloy ultimately “did the things necessary to move Connecticut forward,” getting the state through “this rough time.”
Clinton told the crowd they’ll send a message to Americans who claim they want politicians to tell the truth, showing they “believe in leadership.”
Malloy is in a tight rematch with Republican Tom Foley. This marks Clinton’s second visit to help Malloy.