<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/516332d0ecad04df62000018-2663-1997/gun-owners-of-america.jpg?maxX=400" border="0" alt="gun owners of america " width="400" /></div><p class="source">Spencer Platt/Getty Images</p></div>A <keyword id="6370015" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Connecticut">Connecticut</keyword> gun manufacturer announced on Wednesday that it would leave the "former Constitution State," one week after the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-connecticut-gun-laws-assault-weapons-background-checks-2013-4" target="_blank">state's governor signed into law sweeping new gun legislation</a>. </p>
<p>In a statement blasting the new gun laws, semi-automatic rifle manufacturer PTR Industries <a href="http://ptr91.com/news/ptr-to-move-from-connecticut/" target="_blank">said</a> it has decided to move to another state. </p>
<p><span>"The safety of its children is at best questionably improved from the day of the tragedy that triggered the events that lead (sic) us here," the company said in the statement. </span></p>
<p><span>"Finally, due to an improperly drafted bill, manufacturing of modern sporting rifles in the State of CT has been effectively outlawed. With a heavy heart but a clear mind, we have been forced to decide that our business can no longer survive in Connecticut – the former Constitution state."</span></p>
<p>PTR encouraged other firearms manufacturers to follow suit:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"We feel that our industry as a whole will continue to be threatened so long as it remains in a state where its elected leaders have no regard for the rights of those who produce and manufacture its wealth.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">We are making a call to all involved in our industry to leave this state, close your doors and show our politicians the true consequences of their hasty and uninformed actions. We encourage those in our industry to abandon this state as its leaders have abandoned the proud heritage that forged our freedom."</p>
<p>The state's new laws were hailed by Gov. Dannel Malloy as the toughest in the nation, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-connecticut-gun-laws-richard-blumenthal-high-capacity-magazine-control-2013-4" target="_blank">said they should be a "model for the nation."</a></p>
<p>Larry Keane, the senior vice president of the National Sports Shooting Foundation, the powerful gun lobby located in Newtown, Conn., <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gun-control-national-sports-shooting-foundation-nra-background-checks-2013-4" target="_blank">warned that the new laws could</a> entice additional gun manufacturers to move out of the state. <span>He also hinted that there could be a legal challenge to the laws.</span></p>
<p>Connecticut is home to a large number of gun and ammunition companies, including<span> the iconic Colt Manufacturing Co. </span></p>
<p>Keane told Business Insider that the CEO of at least one other gun company besides PTR had expressed a desire to move. He thinks that more manufacturers are looking to get out of what many perceive as an increasingly hostile environment to gun owners, noting comments made by Malloy last weekend comparing <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dan-malloy-wayne-lapierre-nra-gun-control-connecticut-newtown-2013-4" target="_blank">NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre to "one of the clowns at the circus."</a></p>
<p>"We're upset with the governor's comments," Keane said, adding that they were "offensive" and "slanderous" to gun manufacturers.</p>
<p>Keane pointed to a <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/129220378/Gun-Letter-by-gov-Malloy" target="_blank">letter Malloy sent gun manufacturers last month</a>, in which the governor wrote that he hoped "you continue to stay in our state."</p>
<p>In an interview last week, Blumenthal dismissed concerns that manufacturers would leave the state.</p>
<p>"Gun manufacturers are like other businesses in looking for the highest quality workforce, the best business environment in terms of transportation and taxes and other features unrelated to any regulatory action," Blumenthal said. </p>
<p>"Their markets are national. What happens in Connecticut affects only purchases here."</p>

Gun Manufacturer Leaves Connecticut Over New Laws And Warns That More Will Follow

<p>Connecticut Gov. <keyword id="1434288" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dan-Malloy">Dan Malloy</keyword> had some harsh words for <keyword id="181918" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NRA">NRA</keyword> CEO Wayne LaPierre on Sunday, comparing the gun lobby chief to "clowns at the circus."</p>
<p>Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley, Malloy hit back at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/megyn-kelly-wayne-lapierre-gun-control-nra-fox-news-2013-4" target="_blank">LaPierre over his dismissal of Connecticut's strict new gun laws</a>.</p>
<p>"<span>Wayne reminds me of the clowns at the circus. They get the most attention," Malloy said. </span></p>
<p><span>"And t<span>hat's what he's paid to do. But the reality is is that the gun that was used to kill 26 people on Dec. 14 was legally purchased in the state of Connecticut, even though we had an Assault Weapons Ban. </span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">But there were loopholes in it that you could drive a truck through."</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Malloy also noted poll after poll that show around 90 percent of Americans supporting a federal expansion of universal background checks.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"This guy is so out of whack, it's unbelievable — 92 percent of the American people want universal background checks. I can't get on a plane as the Governor of the state of Connecticut without somebody running a background check on me. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Why should you be able to buy a gun? Or buy armor-piercing munitions? It doesn't make any sense. He doesn't make any sense. Thus, my reference to the circus."</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/04/07/1831091/malloy-nra-guns/" target="_blank">ThinkProgress has video</a>:</span></p>
<p><iframe width="550" height="360" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/udUmnJr5GPE"></iframe></p>

Connecticut Governor Compares NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre To A 'Circus Clown'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont defeated Republican Bob Stefanowski in Connecticut's gubernatorial race. </li><li>It was one of 36 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2022. </li></ul><p>Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont defeated Republican Bob Stefanowsk in a rematch in Connecticut's gubernatorial election. </p><p>Lamont defeated Stefanowski in the 2018 election to succeed outgoing Gov. Dan Malloy. </p><p>Polls closed in the state at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.</p><iframe id="embed-6aa4a3a3-9ed8-439a-963d-c8e65c8c5b7d" src="https://embeds.ddhq.io/app/v2/client/1.0/index.html?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" frameborder="0" width="100%"></iframe><h2>Connecticut's gubernatorial candidates</h2><p>Lamont is the governor of Connecticut, with voters electing him in 2018. <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/About/Governor-Ned-Lamont">Prior to being elected governor</a>, he chaired the state investment advisory council where he oversaw a multibillion-dollar state pension fund. Lamont also made an unsuccessful run for US Senate in 2006. In 2008, he served as a <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-im-supporting-barack_b_80986">state co-chair</a> for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.</p><p>The 68-year-old governor's handling of the pandemic <a href="https://www.courant.com/politics/capitol-watch/hc-pol-lamont-approval-rating-20210304-5y2ag2nwqvfjjlvkflbsh2aakq-story.html">lifted his approval ratings</a> from the bottom to the top. </p><p><a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/10/11/ct-election-ned-lamont-governor-democrat-candidate-election/">In March 2020</a>, Lamont closed restaurants, bars, and other public venues, but kept schools and businesses open throughout most of the pandemic. When vaccines became available, he offered them by age cohorts, making the vaccines simple to administer, placing Connecticut among the leaders in vaccination rates.</p><p>Connecticut has had a Democratic trifecta — Democrats control the state's governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature —  since 2011. The state is one of 14 Democratic trifectas in the country. </p><p>Lamont defeated Stefanowski in the 2018 election by a slim margin — just over <a href="https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/connecticut/governor/">3 percentage points</a>, or about 44,000 votes. </p><p>Stefanowski, Lamont's challenger, is a certified public accountant and certified financial analyst. <a href="https://www.bobforgovernor.com/about-2/about/">Prior to entering politics</a>, he served as an executive at multiple global companies, including DFC Global, UBS, 3i Group, and General Electric. Since then, Stefanowski has worked as an independent consultant. </p><p>During the pandemic, he and his wife, Amy, co-founded and launched "Masks for Heroes" in an effort to help the state fight COVID-19 when personal protective equipment was scarce. They went on to found "Masks for CT" and "Masks 4 Schools," hosting giveaway events with cloth masks for children, teachers, and bus drivers. These <a href="https://www.bobforgovernor.com/about-2/about/">initiatives</a> earned the Stefanowskis an NAACP Award from the Waterbury NAACP Youth Council. </p><p>Stefanowski was <a href="https://wlad.com/local-headlines/375987">endorsed</a> by President Donald Trump in 2018, but as of late, has appeared to <a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Levy-and-Stefanowski-on-the-campaign-trail-A-17371637.php">distance himself</a> from the embattled former president. He said <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/07/18/bysiewicz-ad-contrasts-democrats-with-stefanowski-on-abortion-guns-donald-t/">he supports Connecticut's current gun safety laws</a>, including the universal background checks and limits on high-capacity military-style weapons that were imposed after a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He has also described himself as a <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/07/18/bysiewicz-ad-contrasts-democrats-with-stefanowski-on-abortion-guns-donald-t/">supporter of abortion rights</a>, saying he supports the state's current laws affirming a right to abortion up to fetal viability. </p><h2>Connecticut's voting history </h2><p>Joe Biden defeated Trump by a 20 percentage point margin in 2020. The state has voted for the Democratic candidate for the <a href="https://www.270towin.com/states/Connecticut">last eight presidential elections</a>. </p><h2>The money race</h2><p>Both personally wealthy, the two candidates largely self-fund their election campaigns. Lamont, who does not take the state's annual $150,000 salary for the job of governor, earned <a href="https://www.fox61.com/article/news/politics/tax-records-show-lamont-earned-more-54-million-2022/520-2f5a3ab6-5547-4a4f-9527-4e79fff0165d">more than $54 million last year</a>. Most of it came from investment earnings, <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/10/21/ct-ned-lamont-income-tax-returns-governor-race/">per newly released tax records</a>. </p><p>Lamont had spent roughly $14.8 million, <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/10/14/ct-ned-lamont-bob-stefanowski-saudi-arabia-consulting-mohammed-bin-salman/">according to reports</a> filed for the three-month period ending on September 30. His opponent, Stefanowski, had spent $9.2 million, as of September 30. </p><h2>What experts say</h2><p>The race between Lamont and Stefanowski was rated as "solid Democratic" by <a href="https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor">Inside Elections</a>, "likely Democratic" by <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings">The Cook Political Report</a>, and "likely Democratic" by <a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2022-governor/">Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics</a>.</p>

Results: Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont prevails in Connecticut's gubernatorial race against Republican Bob Stefanowski

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Gov. Ned Lamont is running against Republican Bob Stefanowski in Connecticut's gubernatorial race. </li><li>This is one of 36 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2022. </li></ul><p>Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski are engaged in a rematch in Connecticut's gubernatorial election. </p><p>Lamont defeated Stefanowski in the 2018 election to succeed outgoing Gov. Dan Malloy. </p><h2>Connecticut's gubernatorial candidates</h2><p>Lamont is the governor of Connecticut, with voters electing him in 2018. <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/About/Governor-Ned-Lamont">Prior to being elected governor</a>, he chaired the state investment advisory council where he oversaw a multibillion-dollar state pension fund. Lamont also made an unsuccessful run for US Senate in 2006. In 2008, he served as a <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-im-supporting-barack_b_80986">state co-chair</a> for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.</p><p>The 68-year-old governor's handling of the pandemic <a href="https://www.courant.com/politics/capitol-watch/hc-pol-lamont-approval-rating-20210304-5y2ag2nwqvfjjlvkflbsh2aakq-story.html">lifted his approval ratings</a> from the bottom to the top. </p><p><a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/10/11/ct-election-ned-lamont-governor-democrat-candidate-election/">In March 2020</a>, Lamont closed restaurants, bars, and other public venues, but kept schools and businesses open throughout most of the pandemic. When vaccines became available, he offered them by age cohorts, making the vaccines simple to administer, placing Connecticut among the leaders in vaccination rates.</p><p>Connecticut has had a Democratic trifecta — Democrats control the state's governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature —  since 2011. The state is one of 14 Democratic trifectas in the country. </p><p>Lamont defeated Stefanowski in the 2018 election by a slim margin — just over <a href="https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/connecticut/governor/">3 percentage points</a>, or about 44,000 votes. A recent new Western New England University survey for Hearst Connecticut/WFSB showed Lamont with a <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/09/27/ct-governor-poll-ned-lamont-bob-stefanowski-election-2022/">15-point lead</a> over Stefanowski. </p><p>Stefanowski, Lamont's challenger, is a certified public accountant and certified financial analyst. <a href="https://www.bobforgovernor.com/about-2/about/">Prior to entering politics</a>, he served as an executive at multiple global companies, including DFC Global, UBS, 3i Group, and General Electric. Since then, Stefanowski has worked as an independent consultant. </p><p>During the pandemic, he and his wife, Amy, co-founded and launched "Masks for Heroes" in an effort to help the state fight COVID-19 when personal protective equipment was scarce. They went on to found "Masks for CT" and "Masks 4 Schools," hosting giveaway events with cloth masks for children, teachers, and bus drivers. These <a href="https://www.bobforgovernor.com/about-2/about/">initiatives</a> earned the Stefanowskis an NAACP Award from the Waterbury NAACP Youth Council. </p><p>Stefanowski was <a href="https://wlad.com/local-headlines/375987">endorsed</a> by President Donald Trump in 2018, but as of late, has appeared to <a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Levy-and-Stefanowski-on-the-campaign-trail-A-17371637.php">distance himself</a> from the embattled former president. He said <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/07/18/bysiewicz-ad-contrasts-democrats-with-stefanowski-on-abortion-guns-donald-t/">he supports Connecticut's current gun safety laws</a>, including the universal background checks and limits on high-capacity military-style weapons that were imposed after a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He has also described himself as a <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/07/18/bysiewicz-ad-contrasts-democrats-with-stefanowski-on-abortion-guns-donald-t/">supporter of abortion rights</a>, saying he supports the state's current laws affirming a right to abortion up to fetal viability. </p><h2>Connecticut's voting history </h2><p>Joe Biden defeated Trump by a 20 percentage point margin in 2020. The state has voted for the Democratic candidate for the <a href="https://www.270towin.com/states/Connecticut">last eight presidential elections</a>. </p><h2>The money race</h2><p>Both personally wealthy, the two candidates have chosen to largely self-fund their election campaigns. Lamont, who does not take the state's annual $150,000 salary for the job of governor, earned <a href="https://www.fox61.com/article/news/politics/tax-records-show-lamont-earned-more-54-million-2022/520-2f5a3ab6-5547-4a4f-9527-4e79fff0165d">more than $54 million last year</a>. Most of it came from investment earnings, <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/10/21/ct-ned-lamont-income-tax-returns-governor-race/">per newly released tax records</a>. </p><p>Lamont has spent roughly $14.8 million, <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/10/14/ct-ned-lamont-bob-stefanowski-saudi-arabia-consulting-mohammed-bin-salman/">according to reports</a> filed for the three-month period ending on September 30. His opponent, Stefanowski, has spent $9.2 million, as of September 30. </p><h2>What experts say</h2><p>The race between Lamont and Stefanowski is rated as "solid Democratic" by <a href="https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor">Inside Elections</a>, "likely Democratic" by <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings">The Cook Political Report</a>, and "likely Democratic" by <a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2022-governor/">Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics</a>.</p>

Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont faces off against Republican Bob Stefanowski in Connecticut's gubernatorial election

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5abe3e6c0e910323008b468e-2400/gettyimages-677831448.jpg" border="0" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) speaks during a press conference on gun safety on Capitol Hill on May 3, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)" data-mce-source="Zach Gibson/Getty Images" data-link="https://www.gettyimages.com/license/677831448" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/license/677831448">Zach Gibson/Getty Images</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Esty will not run for reelection in 2018 after a report detailed her failure to act after her chief of staff threatened and harassed another female staffer.</strong></li><li><strong>Esty had staved off calls to resign for days following the report.</strong></li></ul><hr /><p>Connecticut Rep. Elizabeth Esty will not seek reelection to Congress in 2018, after pressure mounted for her to step down in the wake of a report detailing her lack of action in a harassment scandal in her Capitol Hill office.</p><p>"From being a room parent in a first grade classroom to serving on the library board, town council, state house and U.S. Congress, I went into public service to fight for equality, justice, and fairness. It is one of the greatest honors of my life that the people of Connecticut's Fifth District elected me to represent them in Congress," Esty said in a statement on Monday. "However, I have determined that it is in the best interest of my constituents and my family to end my time in Congress at the end of this year and not seek reelection."</p><p>Esty addressed the Washington Post <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/elizabeth-esty-didnt-act-when-staffer-threatened-employee-2018-3">report</a> from last week, which revealed she kept her chief of staff employed for several months after learning of his threats and harassment toward another female staffer.</p><p>"Too many women have been harmed by harassment in the workplace. In the terrible situation in my office, I could have and should have done better. To the survivor, I want to express my strongest apology for letting you down," Esty said. "In Congress, and workplaces across the country, we need stronger workplace protections and to provide employees with a platform to raise concerns, address problems, and work to reduce and eliminate such occurrences, in the first place. In my final months in Congress, I will use my power to fight for action and meaningful change."</p><p>The move by Esty to not seek reelection comes after various Connecticut politicians called on her to resign.</p><p>Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy called Esty's decision "the right one" in a statement.</p><p>"She has done important work on behalf of her constituents on gun safety, economic development, and much more. I spoke with the Congresswoman multiple times over the weekend and as recently as today, encouraging full transparency with the press and public, and also urging her to do what is in best interest of her constituents and her family," Malloy said. "I believe she is now doing that. The truth is, too many facts about how this incident was handled fall short of appropriate standards for responsible and responsive leadership. Fostering a safe and supportive workplace culture for staff must be a guiding principle for all managers, and especially all elected officials, from local office all the way up to the President."</p><p>Esty's district in Connecticut leans heavily Democratic. She defeated her Republican opponent by 16 points in 2016.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-1999-russian-apartment-bombings-led-to-putins-rise-to-power-2018-3">How a series of deadly Russian apartment bombings in 1999 led to Putin's rise to power</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/l7umpvvi-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Embattled Democrat Elizabeth Esty won't run for reelection after staffer's harassment scandal

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/58ecee6f8af5780c308b75e5-2400/undefined" alt="Chris Christie" /><p class="source"><span>Joe Raedle/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Chris Christie.</p>New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is now the least popular governor in the US, a poll released Tuesday found.<p>The poll, <a href="https://morningconsult.com/governor-rankings-april-2017/" target="_blank">conducted by Morning Consult</a>, found that Christie's disapproval rating stands at 71%. Just 25% of New Jerseyans polled approve of their state's governor.</p><p>Christie's disapproval rating jumped 3 percentage points since September, <a href="https://morningconsult.com/governor-approval-rankings-september-2016/" target="_blank">the last time Morning Consult conducted the poll</a>, while his approval rating dipped by 4 percentage points. He leapfrogged Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy and Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to claim the title of least popular governor.</p><p>It's the continuation of a dismal polling trend for Christie, who found himself embroiled in the Bridgegate scandal during his second term in office, which ends early next year. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-christie-terrible-poll-2016-6" target="_blank">In June, a Monmouth University poll found Christie's approval rating</a> reaching an all-time low, standing at a dreadful 27%. A total of 63% of respondents disapproved of the job the governor is performing. </p><p>A Republican presidential candidate-turned-top surrogate for now-President Donald Trump during last year's campaign, Christie found himself shut out of a top White House job after Trump's stunning November victory.</p><p>After Christie, Brownback, and Malloy, the list of the top five most unpopular governors is rounded out by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is the most liked in the country, followed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard.</p><p>Morning Consult <a href="https://morningconsult.com/2017/04/11/senator-governor-approval-rankings-methodology-april-2017/" target="_blank">polled more than 85,000 registered voters between January and March</a> for the survey. </p>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-jailed-man-putins-biggest-challenger-alexei-navalny-progress-2017-3">Russia jailed the man who may become Putin's biggest challenger in the next election</a></h3>                                    Please enable Javascript to watch this video                    

Chris Christie is now the least popular governor in America

<p>It didn't rain, but bitterly cold weather certainly appeared to put a damper on Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy's (D) inaugural parade Wednesday.</p>
<p>Photos tweeted by Christopher Keating,&#xa0;the Hartford Courant's Capitol Bureau Chief, indicate that the parade was far from well-attended, especially compared to the recently re-elected governor's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-bDtOCkDKs">2011 inaugural parade</a>.</p>
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<p class="embed-spacer">Business Insider reached out to Malloy's press office to inquire about the parade's turnout but did not immediately receive a response.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">However, video footage of the parade shows Malloy greeting <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-bDtOCkDKs">at least a few constituents</a> along the route. According<a href="http://www.ctpost.com/blogs/slideshow/PHOTOS-Malloy-Inauguration-2014-100683/photo-7358317.php"> to a Connecticut Post photo caption</a>, one of those supporters was Bill Malloy, the governor's brother. Others <a href="https://twitter.com/capitolwatch/status/552869736153755649">were also related</a> to the marchers.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">NBC Connecticut <a href="the%20weather%20in%20the%20">reported</a> that temperatures dropped into the teens and 20s statewide, about 20 degrees colder than during Malloy's inaugural last parade four years ago.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">A spectator at the parade reportedly commented that there were more people march than observing it:</p>
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The Governor Of Connecticut Had A Parade For Himself And Almost No One Came

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54c2c5ca5afbd3ed708b4570-800-535/connecticut-orders-second-round-of-budget-cuts-to-close-deficit.jpg" alt="Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy addresses the Marching On conference on gun violence prevention in Middletown, Connecticut September 28, 2013.    REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin  " data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy addresses the Marching On conference on gun violence prevention in Middletown" /><p class="source"><span>Thomson Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy addresses the Marching On conference on gun violence prevention in Middletown</p></div><p></p></div></div>Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy struck down the idea that the state would tax income from Yale's $25.6 billion endowment, <a href="http://ctmirror.org/2016/03/29/session-notes-florida-governor-invites-yale-to-relocate/">The Connecticut Mirror reported.</a></p><p>The bill introduced in the state legislature in March proposed taxing schools<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/connecticut-legislation-proposes-revisiting-taxes-on-yale-university-2016-3"> in Connecticut with endowments of $10 billion or more</a>. Yale is the only such school in the state with an endowment of more than $10 billion.</p><p>"As the governor has made clear, we don't believe that new taxes should be part of our solution as Connecticut adjusts to a new economic reality," Devon Puglia, the governor's spokesman, told the Mirror. "Instead, we should make the spending reductions necessary for living within our means."</p><p>The proposed bill gained widespread attention, leading Florida Governor <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/florida-governor-rick-scott-suggests-yale-move-to-florida-to-avoid-taxes-2016-3">Rick Scott to release a statement urging Yale move south to avoid taxes.</a></p><p>"With news that the Connecticut Legislature wants to unfairly tax one of the nation's most renowned universities to deal with the state's budget shortfall, it is clear that all businesses in Connecticut, including Yale, should look to move to Florida,'' Scott said, <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Florida-governor-invites-Yale-University-to-move-7214795.php">according to the Connecticut Post</a>.</p><p>Still, it's not the only bill proposed that would increase taxes on Yale. The mayor of New Haven, Connecticut is backing a bill a bill that attempts to distinguish between real estate that Yale holds for educational purposes, and is therefore tax exempt, and its commercial real estate property.</p><p>In her testimony supporting the proposal, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp used an example of a building that Yale recently purchased. Previously, the city received $275,000 annually in taxes for the property.</p><p>The city risks losing that taxable income since Yale, as an educational institution, owns the property - even though Yale stands to make money from the building for products and services it may sell, according to Harp.</p><p>Richard Jacob, a Yale associate vice president for federal and state relations, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/connecticut-legislation-proposes-revisiting-taxes-on-yale-university-2016-3">presented written testimony opposing the proposal backed by the mayor.</a></p><p>"Given Yale's unparalleled commitment to New Haven, and the gains made by the City of New Haven and Yale in building employment, expanding the tax base, and strengthening neighborhoods and schools, the proposal to single out Yale by imposing unprecedented, ambiguous, and sweeping new taxes on the University is troubling," Jacob said.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-best-teacher-2016-3">This Palestinian woman is the best teacher in the world</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="9sazgzMjE6V61_rAWNNfSFcsyeSKqpWa" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', '9sazgzMjE6V61_rAWNNfSFcsyeSKqpWa',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

Connecticut governor suggests it won't be necessary for Yale to move from the campus it's inhabited for 300 years

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5457c348ecad041b22c3034a-1200-924/ap226622494672-1.jpg?maxX=600" border="0" alt="AP226622494672" width="600"><p class="source"><span>AP/John Minchillo </span></p><p class="caption">President Barack Obama speaks at Central High School in Bridgeport, Conn. Sunday, at a rally for Gov. Dan Malloy.</p></img></div><p></p></div>The White House is trying to downplay the results of Tuesday's midterm elections ahead of the Democratic Party's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/democrats-are-in-deep-trouble-2014-11">forecasted heavy losses</a> across the country.</p>
<p>Polls show the GOP is on the verge of taking the Senate majority from the Democrats and expanding its majority in the House. However, speaking with reporters Monday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest stressed the differences between a national presidential election and these more local races.</p>
<p>"It is important to understand, as important as this election is ... a midterm election is different than a  presidential election - particularly this year," Earnest said.</p>
<p>Earnest noted many of the competitive Senate races are in conservative-leaning states where President Barack Obama was never popular.</p>
<p>"The electorate is different this time than it is in a traditional presidential election. So, that will be part of the calculation that's made as we consider what sort of conclusions should be appropriately drawn from the election. I guess in other words, it would not be wise to draw as broad a conclusion about the outcome of this election as you would from a national presidential election - simply by virtue of the map," he said.</p>
<p>Obama, whom polls show is unpopular, has largely avoided the campaign trail in the most competitive states this year. Instead, the president has opted to rally for Democrats in staunchly liberal who are facing tougher-than-expected opposition. Obama <a href="http://www.courant.com/politics/elections/hc-obama-malloy-bridgeport-20141102-story.html">campaigned most</a> recently for Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D) on Sunday. There are no public campaign events on his schedule Monday.</p>
<p>Earnest further suggested reporters should look at polls showing voters aren't motivated by the idea of "sending a message" to Obama by voting against other Democrats on the ballot this year.</p>
<p>"The vast majority of the people say that their vote is determined by something other than sending a message to the president of the United States. So I would take those voters at their word," he said.</p>

WHITE HOUSE: Don't Freak Out If Democrats Get Crushed Tomorrow

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/543e85e9ecad04d9067e8468-907-453/tom-foley-plane.jpg" border="0" alt="tom foley plane"><p class="source"><span>books.google.com</span></p><p class="caption">An article from "Flying" magazine featured the aircraft in 1997.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Tom Foley, a businessman running for governor in Connecticut, seems to own a pair of his own supersonic fighter jets.</p>
<p>According to a 1997 profile of Foley <a href="books.google.com/books?id=_iEYfzvnSmIC&amp;pg=PA82&amp;lpg=PA82&amp;dq=royal+air+force+trainer+jet+sothebys&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=4kLmcoEH5L&amp;sig=tn1kbaQQUT13XFfUE2bM1Ne9Ido&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=8IA-VPiZKcfLsAS3uYLACA&amp;ved=0CEkQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&amp;q=royal%20air%20force%20trainer%20jet%20sothebys&amp;f=false">in "Flying" magazine</a>, Foley purchased two Folland Gnats - British military aircraft first used in the late 1950s - and received special training to fly them and perform the "usual range of military aerobatics including, barrel rolls, loops and even spin entry." The magazine described Foley, <a href="http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Questions-Surround-Tom-Foleys-Tax-Returns-277275101.html">the owner</a> of Stevens Aviation, as someone with a "lifelong interest in airplanes, cars, boats and other machines."</p>
<p>Foley purchased the planes when the British government auctioned some of its old Royal Air Force vehicles in 1990. He reportedly leapt at the opportunity and bought two for $200,000 apiece from Sotheby's. He then spent about a million dollars "modernizing and civilizing" one of the jets.</p>
<p>Among other changes, he gave the jets a special white paint makeover that was the reverse of the color scheme the planes sported in the Royal Air Force. You can see a photo of one of the jets in its military colors <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24101413@N03/5577180023/">here</a> and another picture of it <a href="http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/gnat/survivor.php?id=853">after Foley's makeover here</a>. "Flying" also has <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=_iEYfzvnSmIC&amp;pg=PA82&amp;lpg=PA82&amp;dq=royal+air+force+trainer+jet+sothebys&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=4kLmcoEH5L&amp;sig=tn1kbaQQUT13XFfUE2bM1Ne9Ido&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=8IA-VPiZKcfLsAS3uYLACA&amp;ved=0CEkQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&amp;q=royal%20air%20force%20trainer%20jet%20sothebys&amp;f=false">a photo of Foley in the cockpit</a>. </p>
<p>"Flying" reported Foley, who had to wear an oxygen mask while piloting what the magazine dubbed <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=7_m4cxU2mBwC&amp;pg=PA13&amp;lpg=PA13&amp;dq=flying+magazine+tom+foley&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=PByNxPEfC_&amp;sig=RzSLbSImMHAm2ZCg3k_DqWl0yO0&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=eLc-VNeyELeUsQSRxYLoCA&amp;ved=0CCsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&amp;q=flying%20magazine%20tom%20foley&amp;f=false">"an unusual business jet,"</a> originally intended to sell one of the planes and use the funds to make the second one "even better." However, the magazine said his makeover of the first aircraft "took so long and turned out so well" that he did not get rid of the second jet. </p>
<p>Currently, FAA records seemingly show Foley still owns both planes. One of the jets is still registered in Foley's name at an address in Greenwich, Connecticut. The second jet is registered to a holding company at the same address. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Foley's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider about his jets.</span></p>
<p>Foley's opponent, incumbent Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D), has repeatedly sought to depict Foley as an out-of-touch millionaire who profited from heartlessly firing workers across his various businesses. Malloy <a href="http://www.journalinquirer.com/page_one/foley-spent-about-a-million-on-the-most-unusual-business/article_68775da0-4e4d-11e4-97dd-cf364210cefe.html">reportedly pointed out</a> at a recent debate that Foley owns the jet, in addition to <span class="paragraph-1">a "$10 million house and a $5 million boat," in order to press this point.</span></p>
<p><span class="paragraph-1">The Journal Inquirer <a href="http://www.journalinquirer.com/page_one/foley-spent-about-a-million-on-the-most-unusual-business/article_68775da0-4e4d-11e4-97dd-cf364210cefe.html">reported</a> earlier this month that it reached out to Foley's campaign about the "Flying" magazine account of the fighter jet. However, Foley's spokesman "ducked" and instead chose to speak broadly about his candidate's vision for the state.<br /></span></p>
<p>"What people want in leaders are strong values, the right policies, and the right experience and skills for the job," the spokesman said. "Tom Foley beats Dan Malloy on all three. Tom believes in honesty, hard work, generosity, and being a respectful, contributing member of the community."</p>

The GOP Candidate For Governor In Connecticut Owns A Pair Of Private Fighter Jets 

<p>Now it's real.&#xa0;</p>
<p>On Monday, United Technologies <a href="http://www.utc.com/News/News-Center/Pages/UPDATED-United-Technologies-Corp-Fourth-Quarter-Earnings-Advisory-to-Securities.aspx">announced</a> that its fourth quarter earnings, scheduled for Tuesday morning, have been bumped up to Monday afternoon due to the impending winter storm that is bearing down on the East Coast.&#xa0;</p>
<p>United Technologies, which is based in Hartford, CT, will announce its quarterly results after the market close on Monday with its conference call scheduled for 5:00 pm ET. Travel in Connecticut <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDomino/status/559729853445210112">has been banned</a> by Governor Dan Malloy as of 9 pm ET on Monday.&#xa0;</p>
<p>The National Weather Service <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/a-crippling-and-potentially-historic-blizzard-is-hitting-the-us-northeast-2015-1">called the storm</a>, which is expected to dump up to 2 feet of snow in areas ranging from New Jersey to Maine, "crippling and potentially historic" in a statement.&#xa0;</p>
<p>Traders, however, should probably still expect to come to work tomorrow, as CNBC's Dominic Chu noted that the New York Stock Exchange has closed only six times:</p>
<div><div>
 <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>1) Blizzard of 1888, Mar 12-13, 1888
2) Weather, 1/3/48
3) Weather, 2/10/69
4) Gloria, 9/27/85
5) 9/11-9/14/11
6) Sandy, 10/29-10/30/12</p>- Dominic Chu (@TheDomino) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDomino/status/559724153511870464">January 26, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
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<p class="embed-spacer">(via <a href="https://twitter.com/carlquintanilla/status/559725097486127105">Carl Quintanilla</a>)</p>

The Blizzard Has Forced A Huge Company To Reschedule Its Earnings Release

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5461d6e3dd0895310b8b465c-1200-924/obama.jpg" border="0" alt="obama"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Larry Downing</span></p><p class="caption">U.S. President Barack Obama talks at a campaign event for the re-election of Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy while at Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, November 2, 2014. </p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Good morning! It's going to be a sunny day in London. Here's the tech news that you need to know this morning.</p>
<p><strong>1. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/president-obama-thinks-the-internet-should-be-a-utility-2014-11">President Obama has announced plans to reclassify the internet as a utility.</a></strong> He's come out in support of net neutrality.</p>
<p><strong>2. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-messenger-has-500-million-users-2014-11">Facebook's Messenger app has hit 500 million monthly active users.</a></strong> It was at 200 million in April.</p>
<p><strong>3. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-alibaba-says-singles-day-shoppers-spend-2-bn-in-first-hour-2014-11">Alibaba sold $2 billion worth of goods in a single hour on Tuesday.</a></strong> It's Singles' Day in China.</p>
<p><strong>4. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/masque-attack-iphone-security-flaw-revealed-2014-11">A new iPhone security flaw can see your apps replaced by malware.</a></strong> Apple was first alerted to the existence of "Masque Attack" back in July.</p>
<p><strong>5. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/att-cancels-wifi-airplane-plans-2014-11">AT&amp;T has abandoned its plan to bring a 4G service to airplanes.</a></strong> It's going to focus on growing international markets instead.</p>
<p><strong>6. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-update-captions-2014-11">Instagram now lets you edit your photo captions.</a></strong> It's one of the app's most-requested features.</p>
<p><strong>7.<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dogvacay-raises-25-million-2014-11"> DogVacay has raised $25 million in funding.</a></strong> It's like Airbnb, but for dogs.</p>
<p><strong>8. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hortonworks-files-for-ipo-2014-11">Big data software company Hortonworks has filed for an IPO.</a></strong> It did $33.4 million in sales last year.</p>
<p><strong>9. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-ebola-campaign-donation-2014-11">Google has pledged to double donations to help fight Ebola.</a></strong> The company is donating up to $7.5 million.</p>
<p><strong>10. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/china-may-have-hacked-the-us-postal-service-2014-11">China may have hacked the US Postal Service.</a></strong> They could have accessed the information of over 800,000 government employees.</p>

10 Things In Tech You Need To Know Today

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5519b5dfecad04815547c8bb-1200-924/rtr4va9q-1.jpg?maxX=600" border="0" alt="RTR4VA9Q" width="600"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Nate Chute</span></p><p class="caption">Protesters declare their outrage over Indiana's new religious freedom legislation.</p></img></div><p></p></div>An extremely wide range of critics are slamming Indiana for its controversial new "religious freedom" legislation.</p><p>Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) touched off a national firestorm last week when he signed the new bill, which aims to protect religious Hoosiers from being forced to act against their beliefs. </p><p>But everyone from celebrities to local sports officials to business titans have very vocally disagreed.</p><p>Singer Miley Cyrus called Pence <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/online/miley-cyrus-calls-indiana-governor-%E2%80%98asshole%E2%80%99-over-religious-freedom-bill/">an "asshole."</a> Actor Ashton Kutcher noted his <a href="https://twitter.com/aplusk/status/581254396719316993">"#OUTRAGE."</a> And the rock group Wilco wrote on Twitter that it <a href="https://twitter.com/Wilco/status/582641088869109760">canceled an upcoming concert</a> in Indianapolis because the legislation "feels like thinly disguised legal discrimination." </p><p>"Hope to get back to the Hoosier State someday soon, when this odious measure is repealed," Wilco <a href="https://twitter.com/Wilco/status/582641201041543169">added</a>.</p><p>They were far from alone. NCAA, the Indiana-based college sports organization, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/27/sports/ncaabasketball/controversial-indiana-law-puts-pressure-on-ncaa-and-other-leagues.html">said it was</a> "especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees." Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay declared his<a href="https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/status/582622346172841985"> support for inclusiveness</a> on Twitter. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton also <a href="https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/581267449523343360">tweeted a harsh criticism</a>.</p><p>Even Twitter itself weighed in. </p><p>"We're disappointed to see state bills that enshrine discrimination. These bills are unjust and bad for business. We support #EqualityForAll," the company's public policy team <a href="https://twitter.com/policy/status/582620533562454016">tweeted</a>.</p><p>A number of government entities declared they would boycott Indiana as long as it maintains the law. Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D) issued an executive order banning state-funded trips to the state, as did Portland, Oregon, Mayor Charlie Hales (D). </p><p>Perhaps the fiercest condemnation, however, came from the business community. Apple CEO Tim Cook <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-ceo-pro-discrimination-religious-freedom--laws-are-dangerous-2015-3">penned an op-ed on Monday</a> attacking the law as part of a "dangerous" new homophobic movement. Salesforce.com <a href="https://twitter.com/Benioff/status/581108959337136129">canceled its programs in the state</a>. A Paypal founder urged his company <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/102545917">to reconsider its work in Indiana</a>. The CEO of Yelp also threatened to punish the state's finances.</p><p>"[I]t is unconscionable to imagine that Yelp would create, maintain, or expand a significant business presence in any state that encouraged discrimination by businesses against our employees, or consumers at large," Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman <a href="http://officialblog.yelp.com/2015/03/an-open-letter-to-states-considering-imposing-discrimination-laws.html">wrote in an open letter</a>. "I encourage states that are considering passing laws like the one rejected by Arizona or adopted by Indiana to reconsider and abandon these discriminatory actions. (We're looking at you, Arkansas.)"</p><p>Indiana lawmakers <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/us/indiana-legislators-say-theyll-clarify-beliefs-law.html">reportedly</a> said Monday that they would look to amend the controversial bill to make it clear it does not legalize discrimination against gays and lesbians.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-earth-would-look-like-if-ice-melted-world-map-animation-2015-2">Animated map of what Earth would look like if all the ice melted</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="5xam5iczrSx4Ibx8MvarDsu3zOG88omE" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', '5xam5iczrSx4Ibx8MvarDsu3zOG88omE',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

A whole bunch of famous people are shredding Indiana for its 'odious' new 'religious freedom' law

<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5458e58fecad04d53a8b456a-1200-800/rtr4cjob.jpg" border="0" alt="obama"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Larry Downing</span></p><p class="caption">U.S. President Barack Obama talks at a campaign event for the re-election of Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy while at Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, November 2, 2014. </p></img></div><p></p></div></div>The Obama administration's plan for Iraq - train 20,00o Iraqi troops and incorporate Sunni tribes into a new national guard - is off to a rough start:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">First, many</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> details of the training program <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/03/world/middleeast/iraqis-prepare-isis-offensive-with-us-help.html?smid=tw-share&amp;_r=0">have yet to be</a> worked out, </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">and the new national guard won't be ready for at least six months.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Second, the situation continues to deteriorate. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Islamic State militants have consolidated control of about 80% of Iraq's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/18/world/middleeast/isis-keeps-up-pressure-near-baghdad-as-iraqi-troops-stumble.html">crucial</a> Anbar province by killing resisting tribesmen </span><a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/isis-executions-1000-iraqi-civilians-killed-isis-controlled-towns-june-hundreds-more-found-1718076#.VFgJSuL4JII.twitter">by the hundreds</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. Meanwhile, Shia militias - some of them backed by Iran - are using the fight against ISIS to </span><a href="t.co/rEDpR0iwfW">burn Sunni communities</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> to the ground.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Third, Shia Iran remains a huge obstacle as it pulls the strings in Iraq's Shia-dominated government and interfere with plans to arm Sunni tribesmen.</span></span></p>
<p><span>"The United States is not the first player in Iraq. Iran is the first player in Iraq. They think Sunni fighters will be like militias for the Sunnis," Najim al Jabouri, a retired Iraqi army general who now is a fellow at the National <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">Defense</keyword> University in Washington, <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/11/03/245528_slaughter-of-anbar-tribesmen-shows.html?rh=1">told Jonathan Landay of McClatchy</a>. "I think Iran is working very hard to stop the United States' strategy in Iraq."</span></p>
<p><span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The US won't incorporate the Sunni tribes until the new Iranian-backed Shia government agrees to provide them with arms. The US also has to figure out how to train the Iraqi police - and the new interior minister, who is now in charge of the police, was previously a senior official of the Badr Organization, a Shia militia trained and armed by Iran.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The problems facing Obama's plan to defeat ISIS are ironic given that the Obama administration effectively handed off Iraq to Iran as a way to remove U.S. troops and still stabilize the country.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The opposite happened in the years after Washington <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-back-room-deal-that-explains-the-chaos-in-iraq-2014-6">went along with the plan</a> created by <span>Qassem Suleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Qods Force, by continuing to support the authoritarian Iran-backed regime of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Ali Khedery, the longest continuously serving American official during the Iraq war (2003-09), </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/worst-case-scenario-in-the-middle-east-2014-8">recently said</a> <span>that </span>America's </span>continued support<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> of  Maliki in December 2010 made it so that</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> "Iraq's path toward civil war was really inevitable."  </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>That's because Maliki's new lease on life led him to steer</span><span> Baghdad "toward a very pro-Iranian and sectarian agenda, which inevitably disillusioned and disenfranchised Sunni Arabs for a second time."</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span><span>Baghdad Bureau Chief of The New York Times Tim Arango </span><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2fu159/im_tim_arango_baghdad_bureau_chief_for_the_new/?sort=confidence">told Reddit in September</a><span> </span><span>that "after 2011 the administration basically ignored the country. And when officials spoke about what was happening there they were often ignorant of the reality."</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Khedery argued that </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">the Obama administration "betrayed the promises that the U.S. government had made to the Sunni tribal leaders," who had previously fought with American troops against ISIS-predecessor Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) during the Iraq War.</span></p>
<p>Now those same tribes that US needs again are being co-opted or slaughtered by the ISIS militants who regrouped (with the help of <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/06/19/323691052/saddams-ex-officer-weve-played-key-role-in-helping-militants">Saddam-era officials</a>) while Maliki polarized the country.</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Reuters" title_caption="Syria and Iraq, also known as " Syraq="" given="" the="" lack="" of="" effective="" border="" between="" countries.="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5458fec06bb3f7e00f6ccb3c-960/screenshot%202014-11-04%2011.18.46.png"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5458fec06bb3f7e00f6ccb3c-685-872/screenshot%202014-11-04%2011.18.46.png" border="0" alt="iraq" width="800" /></a><p class="source"><span>Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Syria and Iraq, also known as "Syraq" given the lack of effective border between the countries.</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Saving Iraq is also contingent upon political stability in Syria, where the Iran-backed regime of Bashar al-Assad continues to rain <a href="http://t.co/PSZ0yTN05A">barrel bombs</a> on civilian areas while al-Qaeda's Syria affiliate <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/11/01/245423_in-setback-islamic-state-nusra.html?sp=/99/117/&amp;rh=1">routs</a> US-backed rebels, ISIS runs a self-declared caliphate, and Tehran sends <a href="http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/irans-afghan-shiite-fighters-in-syria">more fighters</a> to bolster Assad.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Obama administration is limited in how much pressure it can put on Iran since it is trying to sign a nuclear deal with Iran - the <a href="http://www.aei.org/publication/iran-nuclear-deal-the-mystery-solved/">centerpiece</a> of Obama's foreign policy - in the next three weeks.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">So while </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Syraq burns and the White House scrambles for a nuclear deal, Tehran is</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-iraq-crisis-benefits-iran-2014-6">using the ISIS crisis to its full advantage</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p>

The Obama Administration's Biggest Problem In Iraq Is Painfully Ironic

<p><strong><table class="image-container float_right" width="200"><tr><td><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51634071ecad04f47a00000d-446-334/barack-obama-connecticut-gun-control.jpg" border="0" alt="Barack Obama connecticut gun control" /></div><p class="source">AP</p><p class="caption">Obama and Nicole Hockley</p></td></tr></table>WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — </strong>At the beginning of a crucial week for new gun legislation in Congress, President <keyword id="15962" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Barack-Obama">Barack Obama</keyword> delivered an impassioned plea before a packed gymnasium here, almost four months after the horrific massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.</p>
<p>The speech served as one of the most emotional and forceful on <keyword id="1127786" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gun-control">gun control</keyword>, as he spoke with urgency at a rally that at times sounded more like a campaign stop.</p>
<p>Obama chided Republican Senators <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gun-control-filibuster-rand-paul-ted-cruz-john-mccain-nra" target="_blank">who are hinting at a plan to filibuster new gun legislation</a> — a group that now <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mitch-mcconnell-filibuster-gun-control-2013-4" target="_blank">includes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell</a>. It prompted a raucous crowd to begin chants of, "We want a vote!" Obama joined in, pushing the crowd to cheer for new measures on expanding background checks, limiting magazine capacity, and banning assault-style weaponry.</p>
<p><span>“Some back in Washington are already floating the idea that they might use political stunts to prevent votes on any of these reforms," Obama said. "Think about that. They’re not just saying they’ll vote “no” on ideas that almost all Americans support. They’re saying they won’t allow any votes on them at all. They’re saying your opinion doesn’t matter. And that’s not right."</span></p>
<p><span>Later, in the most forceful line of his speech, he added: "What's more important — our children or an 'A' grade from the gun lobby?"</span></p>
<p>It was Obama's first trip to Connecticut since the days after the Sandy Hook tragedy. His visit also came the week after <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-connecticut-gun-laws-assault-weapons-background-checks-2013-4" target="_blank">Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy signed sweeping new state gun reforms into law</a>.</p>
<p>Obama was introduced by <span>Nicole Hockley — the mother of slain first-grader Dylan — who delivered a tearful plea of her own.</span></p>
<p><span>Obama himself got choked up near the end of his remarks, while retelling how Hocklys would tell Obama of her dreams of her slain child. </span></p>
<p><span>"I've got to tell you, I've had tough days in the presidency — I've said this before. The day Newtown happened was the toughest day of my presidency," he said.</span></p>
<p><span>"But I've got to tell you, if we don’t respond to this, that will be a tough day for me, too. Because we've got to expect more from ourselves, and we've got to expect more from Congress. We've got to believe that every once in a while, we set <keyword id="6358883" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Politics">politics</keyword> aside and we just do what's right."</span></p>
<p><span>Closing his speech, Obama pleaded with the crowd to stand up — for the victims from Sandy Hook and other recent mass shootings, and for the change that he hopes comes from them.</span></p>
<p><span>They obliged, and they cheered until he left the stage.</span></p>
<p class="p1">"This crowd can happen anywhere in America," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who accompanied Obama on the trip along with Sen. Richard Blumenthal. "It's really amazing. But it's not the first time we've seen a Washington disconnect from the rest of the American public."</p>

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