People across the country are reacting to Senator John McCain’s death, including here in Connecticut. McCain visited the state many times over the years. His service and love of country capturing the admiration of one local man. Ben Davol was the state director for John McCain’s presidential campaign.

No, I'm not being pushed out in some sort of corporate purge. My almost two years writing for The Day was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. My day job has changed and I am now going to be spending more time working with government in Connecticut and Washington. Thus the potential for conflicts is great.

This time next year Democrat Elizabeth Esty will be well into fourth term in Congress. Yes, I read the newspapers and I know the three-term congresswoman from Cheshire has said she wouldn't run for re-election in the 5th District but, well, that was then, this is now. Congresswoman Esty is running.

If Democratic Party leaders were to draw a composite of their perfect state Senate candidate, Andrew Maynard of Stonington would fit the profile to a T. By almost every measure, he's done what's necessary to compete at a high level. Through the end of June, he had out-raised his Republican rival in the 18th District by nearly 4 to 1.

Democrats are rightly excited about recent victories at the ballot box. There is rising hope that a “Blue Wave” is coming in 2018 resulting in the Democrats taking back control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. A prelude to recapturing the White House in 2020. Democrats have won 26 out of 35 races (at the state legislative and congressional level) in which the Democratic candidates over-performed Hillary Clinton's 2016 effort.

If you are easily offended, do not read this. Feel free to continue to live in your saccharine sweet world of false idols, faux achievements, and sacrifices you have never made. Professional athletes are not heroes, your kid isn’t that smart and dropping $5 bucks in the bucket at your local “gas and go” for that rubber bracelet for something “strong” or the disease de jour, is no sacrifice.

The horrible events in Las Vegas, along with so many other acts, large and small in our world, can easily make one give up and accept that hate and cruelty win. The greater the act of hate the greater our resolve must be to continue to stand strong, to offer love, understanding, and leadership in simply being "nice."

I was amused at comments by the paid communications director of Linda McMahon's campaign, who felt the need to write a letter taking aim at columnist Ben Davol's financial ties to Rob Simmons. McMahon's publicity spin doctor failed to mention that Mr. Davol's work for Mr. Simmons was 10 years ago, and I'm quite sure that the $8,100 paid to Mr.

The mantra of today's political world is "throw the bums out." While it makes for great slogan it lacks real insight. Two politicians from southeastern Connecticut who are anathema to the current political winds are longtime U.S. Christopher J. Dodd, a Democrat, and former 2nd District congressman, Republican Rob Simmons.

On Aug. 10 Connecticut will hold its own political version of college basketball's March Madness. On the ballot across the state will be an unprecedented number of men and women looking to win their party's nomination for a spot on the November ballot. From state representative to governor, Aug. 10 will be a day of decision-making for Republicans and Democrats.

At one time Connecticut was a leader in new inventions and patents. We were at the hub of the Yankee can-do spirit. From the invention of the steamed cheeseburger and Wiffle ball to the design and construction of aircraft and nuclear submarines, Connecticut led the way. The tax credit is for angel investors.

'After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done." This old saying could apply to most politicians and political campaigns. In the current election cycle it will be most representative of the tea party movement. The movement, with its many iterations across the country, appears long on rhetoric and short on specifics.

Last week on the front page of the New York Times was the following opening paragraph: "With pressure mounting on the federal government to find new revenues, Congress is considering legalizing, and taxing, an activity it banned just four years ago: Internet gambling." So it has come to this. Running craps tables to pay our bills as a nation.

After the liberal lion of the United States Senate Edward M. Kennedy died, the Massachusetts Democratic Party chose Attorney General Martha Coakley to fill his seat. The voters in the bluest of blue states had other ideas and chose Republican Scott Brown. Could the Connecticut Democratic Party "pull a Coakley" or two come November?

As we bob and weave our way to Election Day Nov. 2 the marquee campaigns for governor, U.S. Senate and Congress will take up a great deal of the oxygen.