Deep Blue CT

Democratic candidate Michelle McCabe joins Caitlin and James for a talk about her path toward the State Senate, and the value she intends to bring to the legislature to help uplift and support our state and people. Plus, Super Tuesday II: Electric Boogaloo results and the latest on the Coronavirus and its emerging pandemic status. 

Biden and Sanders appear to be the last people standing after all other candidates stand down. That is, except for Elizabeth Warren. We’re going to talk about Super Tuesday and what it means in the broader context, as well as have a chat with two organizers from Wolf-PAC Connecticut, a group fighting for free and fair elections in our state and country. 

State Senate candidate from the 30th District, former New Milford mayor, David Gronbach, joins us for a talk about the need for quality health care, Connecticut small businesses, and the links between them. He talks about the challenges faced across his district spanning 14 towns, and how he plans to achieve the gains that have been elusive for the out-of-touch incumbent. Plus, the latest news across the state and nation from clean slate legislation in CT, to the absolute chaos from South Carolina on Tuesday in what will be remembered as the most poorly moderated debate in modern history. Plus, some book recommendations from the former book store owner!

Fearless mother/daughter duo Terra and Katie Volpe stop by to talk about their activism as a conduit for their patriotism. It’s time to mobilize voters around a common cause and around issues that we need to address. Plus, a lunch debt stigmatization bill in the legislature,  the toll vote is postponed due to a threat by Republicans to essentially filibuster, and Trump is pardoning criminals as a precursor to his own future pardon. Happy Presidents Day week! 

State Representative Josh Elliott, and President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, Jason Ortiz, join James for a chat about the likelihood of seeing recreational marijuana legalized and regulated this year, plus some vaccination talk with a Rep. Elliott, a guy who is very, VERY unpopular with the David “Avocado” Wolf set. Plus the New Hampshire primary, raising the age in Connecticut’s jails, and an update on the Coronavirus. 

After the whole Iowa caucus debacle, our call with Zack Campbell (Working Families Party, Central CT DSA) had to be postponed because, as a field volunteer and precinct captain, he was stuck in counts all day Tuesday. Fortunately, we got them now! James and Zack hopped on the phone on Thursday morning to recap the week that was in America’s Field of Dreams, and how things are looking for the top-4 with 97% of precincts reported. (No idea why it’s taken over 48 hours now to tabulate all 100%, but hey…) And yes, that is a “Saved By The Bell” reference above.   

Caucus? At least take us out to dinner first! It’s Wednesday and we still don’t have an official, final update on the Iowa caucuses. James and Caitlin discuss the fiasco in corn country, and how in the hell the party rebounds from this. It couldn’t have been a better gift for Don T. the same week he gives an unhinged SOTU and will be exonerated on the corruption and bribery charges he faced in the Senate. Plus, Ned punts on weed, and the IRIS Run for Refugees was this past Sunday, with more than 3,000 people coming out to support immigrants and refugees just two days after Trump’s extended travel ban was announced. 

Corruption! Impeachment! Carbon Footprint Talk! This episode has it all as Caitlin, Ed, and James discuss the latest Sanders spat, this time courtesy of comments made by HRC, another update on Robert Hyde’s apparent mental state, and the impeachment trial starting up this week! Plus, a great conversation with biology professor and climate science expert, Dr. Mitch Wagener from WCSU. Don’t miss Ed’s plan of execution on … executions for corruption, graft, and all sorts of villainy plaguing our political system.   

The CT2030 transit revitalization plan is making its rounds, and it’s, well, not really future-focused. The gang talks with State Representative Anne Hughes about it, about her re-election campaign, turning CT into the healthcare capital of America instead of the insurance capital, and the waning number of cares post-menopausal women have left in reserves to give. Plus, Rosario Dawson’s boyfriend hangs up his spurs, Bernie and Warren in a he said/she said/CNN said, and plenty more to laugh and be mad about! 

New year, new co-host! A recuperating James and reinvigorated Caitlin sit down (sans Ed this week) for the first episode of 2020 to look back on 2019’s biggest and best stories and legislative wins, and preview a look ahead at what’s coming down the (currently toll-free) road for us all in the year ahead.  

A double-episode for the end of the year! Friend of the show Caitlin Clarkson Pereira is back as co-host to talk about the news from around the state, including the new college for all plan in CT, plus a deep dive on a candidate running for Congress who has shown his true colors in all their MAGA glory, and should be jettisoned by the GOP ASAP. Plus, a conversation with Secular Coalition for CT’s Pat McCann on being and doing good without God, and Connecticut’s overall growing lack of belief in the supernatural.  Happy New Year!

A conversation with Chris George, Executive Director of IRIS, from Geneva at the Refugee Conference taking place. He talks about the community sponsorship model, and how his agency’s work has been affected in this Trump-era America. Plus: the House is voting on articles of impeachment, DJT doesn’t recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915 to the delight of Erdogan, and Governor Lamont welcomes refugees to our state. 

Executive Director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, Jeremy Stein, stops by to recap a remarkable year for the organization capped with three pieces of legislation going into effect in October to help promote safe storage, and reduce needless deaths in Connecticut. Plus, articles of impeachment talk, ICE with the tone-deaf tweet of the year, and UCONN tuition skyrocketing over the next half-decade. 

Kamala Harris has exited the race, but two billionaires have entered it. James and Ed discuss the field, the path forward for progressive policies, and whether or not Mayo Pete is a legitimate contender, or a paper tiger. Plus, zombie tolls, Trump tries to gut SNAP benefits, and Connecticut divesting from gun manufacturers. 

An update on tolls in CT, the Trump impeachment, and more happenings. Plus, A visit with NRA-graded Caitlyn Clarkson Pereira (she gets an “F”) who is running for the state representative seat in the 132nd district. 

The dudes wrap up Election Season 2019 with Mike Farina of Blue Edge Strategies in the studio to talk about some of the results across the state, the upcoming 2020 elections in the state plus Trump’s impact on the ballot. Medical marijuana, Harris’ expanded school day legislation, and more! 

It’s Election Day 2019! Hear about some of Connecticut’s voter rules and motivational words to get out there and vote today. Plus, some background on key races across the state, and a terrific discussion with outgoing Norwalk City Councilwoman and State Democratic Party Treasurer Eloisa Melendez about Norwalk’s working class roots, an emerging city on the coast, and how to inspire and engage more people in the democratic process.   

State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan joins the pod for some marijuana legalization talk, discussions on LGBTQ rights legislation he pushed last session, and how we can retain and attract younger post-college residents. Plus headlines and more!  

James and Ed review some of the latest out of The Nutmeg State, including what AG William Tong is up to, the latest Trump grift, and vaccination rates data is released! Plus, a discussion with outgoing Middletown mayor, Dan Drew, on Medicare for All, economic growth in his city, and what’s next after he leaves office next month. Hint: more Pearl Jam. 

James and Ed discuss the recent happenings with our Kurdish allies, a video that was shown at a Trump property featuring a Trump likeness murdering and assaulting the press and political opponents, and more. Plus, a conversation with first-term State Senator, Julie Kushner on pivoting from organizing labor unions to writing legislation in Hartford. 

James and Ed, in their great and unmatched wisdom, talk about Fearless Leader’s recent tweets threatening obliteration, Bernie’s ticker, and the outlook for unions in CT. Plus, a great discussion about fascism and new American patriotism with labor leader and advocate, Steve Thornton. 

Ed and James sit down and talk with Connecticut Working Familes Party Executive Director, Lindsay Farrell, to talk about the party’s endorsement of Elizabeth Warren, the gains made in Connecticut over the past legislative session and what’s on the horizon for 2020. Plus, thoughts on justice for Botham Jean, Mike Pompeo, abuse within the Catholic church, and much more. 

James and Ed tackle the high crimes in Ukraine, Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy filing, and the latest round of presidential endorsements. Plus, Professor Greg Golda of Sacred Heart University joins the discussion to talk about Fox News and boomer brain rot, manipulation by the media, and how we can and should fight back. 

Ed and James discuss what’s happening across Connecticut and the country and are joined by political satirist and activist, Marc Moorash, to discuss the popularity of and the need for political cartooning and satire today. From the launch of Art Young’s Good Morning in 1919, to its relaunch in 2015 that he spearheaded, Marc takes us through the history and impact Art Young’s cartooning had on our culture over the past 100 years. 

Introducing Ed and James, hosts of Deep Blue CT. Check back in for weekly episodes featuring updates on what’s happening across Connecticut, the nation, and the world, and in-depth discussions with people from around the state.