The presidential campaign finally came to Connecticut this week, but it was a snooze.   Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney went to Stamford for a private fundraiser, but no cameras were allowed, and his campaign chose to pass on a public appearance in a state that has a primary next month.    Local Republicans in this very blue state were disappointed, as were reporters who’ve been clamoring for just a morsel of the excitement already enjoyed by their colleagues in New Hampshire, Florida, and a host of others states.

I,  along with other politicos, have been lamenting the lack of attention Connecticut seems to be getting in the presidential process in recent years, so this week’s Face the State flashback takes us back to another time when our state was a must-make campaign stop.   

This was a far cry from 1988, when Ronald Reagan’s two terms were up, and both parties had a big field of candidates.   Most of them came to Connecticut to campaign for our primary, some several times.

We have two reports from March of 1988.    Bertha Coombs was covering a visit by then Vice-President George Bush, and  Ginny Musante was assigned to a visit by then Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.    As you’ll see, supporters of both candidates were not at all pleased with what happened during those campaign visits.

You can watch the Flashback right here: http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6848652

Also read:  http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/what-about-a-saturday-primary-or-an-earlier-one/