Est. 1802 ·

What, No Follow-Up?

By Reese On The Radio
November 16, 2025
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Connecticut, land of steady habits—except when it comes to our so-called "watchdog" press corps holding politicians' feet to the fire. Picture this: A gleaming press conference room in Hartford, Governor Ned Lamont or one of his Democratic cronies strides up to the podium, flanked by flags and a backdrop screaming "Progress for All" or whatever platitude du jour they're peddling. Cameras whir, lights flash, and the assembled media—those intrepid truth-seekers—nod along like bobbleheads on a dashboard. The pol delivers a scripted soliloquy, tosses out a few softball answers to pre-vetted questions, and... crickets. No follow-ups. No probing. Just a collective shrug and a rush to file the story as dictated. It's like watching a bad infomercial where the host asks, "But wait, there's more?" and everyone just changes the channel.

I've been broadcasting from the trenches for years, calling out the nonsense on my show where the airwaves are still free enough for actual discourse. But lately? I've grown tired—nay, exhausted—of this status quo. It's not just lazy journalism; it's a betrayal of the public trust. Our ruling class in Connecticut, predominantly left-leaning Democrats who control the legislature, the governor's mansion, and most local offices, sashay through scandals and policy blunders unchallenged. They announce initiatives, dodge accountability, and the press corps acts like they're at a cocktail party, not a crucible of democracy. And why? Because apparently, in the Nutmeg State, "freedom of the press" means the freedom to press record and call it a day.

Let's get real: This isn't good for anyone except the politicians themselves. Sure, it's a cushy gig for them—spout talking points, avoid scrutiny, and keep the gravy train chugging. But for the people they ostensibly "serve"? Serve being the key word here, folks. Remember when "public servant" meant exactly that—humble folks dedicated to the greater good, not imperial overlords treating the state treasury like their personal piggy bank? We've strayed so far from those days that our elected officials might as well be wearing crowns instead of ties. The lack of tough questioning lets them perpetuate policies that burden taxpayers, ignore corruption, and prioritize ideology over results. And the press? They're complicit, showing up with cameras but no real reporters, seemingly content to do the bidding of these left-leaning luminaries.

Talk about “No Kings!”

Take the last three years—2022 to 2025—as a masterclass in journalistic malpractice. Exhibit A: The ongoing saga of state government scandals that somehow never get the grilling they deserve. In March 2025, Connecticut Republicans held a presser blasting the Lamont administration and legislative Democrats for fostering a "culture of corruption." They pointed to ethical lapses galore, from misuse of state resources to outright cronyism. House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora and his crew laid it out: Democrats ignoring corruption issues, letting scandals fester without consequence. Did the press corps swarm Lamont's next appearance with follow-ups like, "Governor, how do you respond to accusations that your office has turned a blind eye to ethical breaches?" Nope. Instead, we got puff pieces on "bipartisan progress" or whatever euphemism du jour masks the rot.

Then there's the Doug McCrory debacle. In a scathing opinion piece just days ago, columnist Chris Powell detailed how state Sen. Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) was caught steering anti-poverty grants to his girlfriend—classic "Corrupticut" behavior. This wasn't some isolated incident; Powell noted three more scandals in state government enduring without much fanfare. At press conferences following these revelations, where were the reporters demanding details? "Senator, can you explain how these grants weren't a conflict of interest? Follow-up: Why hasn't there been an independent audit?" Crickets again. The media showed up, cameras rolling, but acted more like stenographers than sleuths, regurgitating official statements without a whiff of skepticism. It's as if they were there to capture the optics for the politicians' social media feeds, not to inform the public.

Flash back to October 2023, when auditors revealed that Governor Lamont's office had failed for years to maintain proper controls over state vehicles. We're talking potential misuse of taxpayer-funded rides—limos, SUVs, you name it—zipping around without accountability. At the subsequent press conference, Lamont's team spun it as a bureaucratic oversight, and the press? They lobbed softballs like "How will you fix this going forward?" No one pressed: "Governor, who exactly used these vehicles improperly? Can we see the logs? What disciplinary actions are being taken?" Instead, the story faded faster than a New England autumn leaf, buried under headlines about "fiscal responsibility" from the very folks responsible for the mess.

And don't get me started on the police accountability bill from May 2025. A sneaky provision in a Senate-passed bill aimed to shield pending complaints against police from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. This was a direct assault on transparency. Left-leaning lawmakers pushed it through, claiming it protected officers' rights. Fair enough, but where was the press corps demanding follow-ups at local and state pressers? "How does this square with your promises of police reform? Won't this enable cover-ups?" Nada. Cameras captured the announcements, but no real reporting ensued. It's like the media decided their job was to amplify the narrative, not interrogate it—perfect for Democrats who dominate the conversation.

These aren't anomalies; they're the norm. In 2022, amid the tail end of COVID restrictions, Lamont held press conferences touting his handling of the pandemic. Remember the mask mandates, school closures, and business shutdowns that hit small towns hard? Reporters could have hammered him: "Governor, why no data on the economic fallout for working-class families? Follow-up: How do you justify extending emergency powers without legislative oversight?" But no, the coverage was glowing, with media outlets like NBC Connecticut—rated lean left by media bias trackers—focusing on "success stories" rather than failures. Local papers, accused of promoting the Democratic platform, followed suit.

Even in the 2024 election cycle, as Connecticut towns shifted red due to declining Democratic votes, the press barely scratched the surface. Why the voter apathy? High taxes, energy costs, housing shortages—all under Democratic rule. At post-election pressers, did anyone ask Lamont or Sens. Blumenthal and Murphy pointed questions like, "What does this red shift say about your policies' failures?" Instead, we got analyses blaming national trends, not local accountability lapses.

I've had enough. Day after day on my show, I dissect these issues, taking calls from frustrated listeners who feel voiceless. I've grown tired of watching the ruling class glide through unchallenged, treating public service like a perpetual victory lap. This complacency isn't just bad journalism; it's dangerous. It allows corruption to thrive, policies to flop, and the people—the actual bosses—to suffer. High energy bills? Unaffordable housing? Crumbling infrastructure? All go unprobed because the press won't risk upsetting left-leaning allies.

And let's talk about those media excuses. For years, they've whined about tightening purse strings—layoffs, budget cuts, the death of print. Boo-hoo. Sure, the industry is hurting, but that's no excuse for abdicating responsibility. If you can't afford real reporters, don't show up at all. Instead, they trot out cameras for the spectacle, capturing soundbites that serve the politicians more than the public. It's symbiotic: Pols get free PR, media gets content without effort. But who loses? Us, the taxpayers footing the bill for this charade.

We need to reclaim "public servant" from the dustbin of history. Back in the day, officials answered to the people, not vice versa. Journalists were adversaries, not accomplices. Today? It's a club, and we're not in it. But here's the silver lining: We're just going to have to do it for them. On shows like mine, podcasts, citizen journalism— we'll ask the tough questions, dig into the scandals, and hold feet to the fire. The legacy media can copy off our homework if they want; Lord knows they need the help. After all, in a state where the press corps plays nice, someone has to play hardball.

In the end, Connecticut deserves better. Our ruling class shouldn't fear accountability; they should embrace it. It's good for them—keeps them honest—and essential for the people they serve. Serve, not rule. Until the press wakes up, I'll be here, mic in hand, filling the void. Tune in, folks; the real questions are just getting started.

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