Black Widow
02-10-2009, 07:19 PM
HARTFORD -- Linda McMahon, CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment in Stamford, is not taking chances with her nomination to the state Board of Education.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell appointed McMahon to Connecticut's school board, and most members of the legislature's Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee voted in favor of it.
But the full General Assembly must approve the appointment, and McMahon was at the capitol Monday introducing herself to to lawmakers, accompanied by a lobbyist from Rell's office and WWE spokesman Gary Davis, who tried to shield McMahon from reporters.
McMahon Monday confirmed she was trying to meet legislators and was happy to answer the questions of the Nominations Committee last week.
Critics are concerned that McMahon, 60, lacks a background in education and has a leading role in an industry that sells sex and violence to the children she would serve on the school board.
McMahon and her supporters say the board would benefit from her business savvy and outsider's point of view.
Sen. L. Scott Frantz, who represents McMahon's hometown of Greenwich, broke away from a meeting of the Appropriations Committee to chat with McMahon Monday afternoon.
"I think she's an excellent choice," Frantz said afterward. "These boards and commissions could always use another intelligent mind."
McMahon was overheard telling Frantz she thinks some Democrats are trying to torpedo her nomination over partisan politics, though last week she earned the vote of Sen. Martin Looney, D-New Haven, co-chair of the Nominations Committee.
"I don't think it's going to be a partisan fight," Frantz said.
The General Assembly could vote on her appointment next week.
McMahon's appointment is clearly important to Rell, who assigned her top lobbyist, Chelsea Turner, to introduce McMahon to legislators.
Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, said it is a sign the administration is concerned that McMahon's nomination, announced quietly in January, might be challenged.
"In years past people escorted around to meet legislators were nominations that had caused concern or were potentially difficult," McDonald said. "It's rare this happens."
greenwichtime.com
Gov. M. Jodi Rell appointed McMahon to Connecticut's school board, and most members of the legislature's Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee voted in favor of it.
But the full General Assembly must approve the appointment, and McMahon was at the capitol Monday introducing herself to to lawmakers, accompanied by a lobbyist from Rell's office and WWE spokesman Gary Davis, who tried to shield McMahon from reporters.
McMahon Monday confirmed she was trying to meet legislators and was happy to answer the questions of the Nominations Committee last week.
Critics are concerned that McMahon, 60, lacks a background in education and has a leading role in an industry that sells sex and violence to the children she would serve on the school board.
McMahon and her supporters say the board would benefit from her business savvy and outsider's point of view.
Sen. L. Scott Frantz, who represents McMahon's hometown of Greenwich, broke away from a meeting of the Appropriations Committee to chat with McMahon Monday afternoon.
"I think she's an excellent choice," Frantz said afterward. "These boards and commissions could always use another intelligent mind."
McMahon was overheard telling Frantz she thinks some Democrats are trying to torpedo her nomination over partisan politics, though last week she earned the vote of Sen. Martin Looney, D-New Haven, co-chair of the Nominations Committee.
"I don't think it's going to be a partisan fight," Frantz said.
The General Assembly could vote on her appointment next week.
McMahon's appointment is clearly important to Rell, who assigned her top lobbyist, Chelsea Turner, to introduce McMahon to legislators.
Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, said it is a sign the administration is concerned that McMahon's nomination, announced quietly in January, might be challenged.
"In years past people escorted around to meet legislators were nominations that had caused concern or were potentially difficult," McDonald said. "It's rare this happens."
greenwichtime.com