A lot of people have used a lot of different words to describe this crazy, volatile 2016 presidential campaign.

One word that certainly describes the overall tone of this election cycle is nasty, a word that has impacted women supporting Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

The past 12 months Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said many head-shaking things that have showcased his lack of compassion, bad judgement and temperament. One statement that hit home hard with female Democrats is calling Clinton “such a nasty woman” in the third and last presidential debate.

The statement has become a rallying cry for Clinton female supporters nationwide.

The “nasty woman” statement definitely made an  impact on two Cheshire women, former Town Councilor Diane Visconti and Kathy Yacavone, both Democrats, who have been motivated to the point of organizing the “Nasty Women of Cheshire Rally.” The rally, sponsored by the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee and Cheshire Democratic Women’s Club to show support for Clinton and local Democrat candidates, will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in front of Cheshire Town Hall on Route 10 (South Main St.) in Cheshire.

"We organized this rally because it was absurd and bizarre for Donald Trump to call Hillary Clinton a nasty woman,” Visconti said. “We all need to speak up and point out this craziness. So we all need to call ourselves nasty and support our extremely qualified Hillary."

The event will be held in conjunction with the annual Democrat candidates’ stationary parade held the Saturday before Election Day in front of Cheshire Town Hall. Local candidates will be there waving and greeting passing motorists.

Clinton and Democrat supporters are urged to join the rally and show support.
 
Here is what started all the nastiness:
 
During the third presidential debate, responding to a question from Chris Wallace on the Social Security Fund, Hillary Clinton said, “I am on record as saying that we need to put more money into the Social Security Trust Fund. That's part of my commitment to raise taxes on the wealthy. My Social Security payroll contribution will go up, as will Donald's, assuming he can't figure out how to get out of it. But what we want to do is to replenish the Social Security Trust Fund…..
 
At that point Trump interjected “Such a nasty woman.”
 
 

Each election cycle, whether it's for a local election or a state and national election like it is this year, one event I always look forward to is the annual Cheshire High Young Democrats Political Rally.

The rally will be held today (Oct. 28) at the Cheshire Senior Center on 240 Maple Ave. in Cheshire  from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Democratic candidates running for positions at the state and federal level attending the rally include Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, State Senator candidate Ryan Rogers (16th District), State Senator incumbent Dante Bartolomeo (13th District), State Representative Pat Reynolds (90th District), State Representative candidate Liz Linehan (103rd District), and State Representative candidate Josh Elliott (88th District).

If you live in Cheshire or surrounding towns, I urge you to attend because this is always a fun, refreshing event where Democrat candidates make it a point to circle the date of the event on their calendar and take time to attend.

This is a rare opportunity for candidates to not only give voters an update on their campaigns, but do it in a more relaxed, personal and up-close setting. Perhaps more important, candidates also look at this event as a way to publicly give thanks to the Cheshire High Young Democrats for their dedication and all the hard work they do for all Democratic candidates campaigning in districts that impact Cheshire voters and all its residents.

The Cheshire High School Young Democrats are dedicated to supporting Democratic Party candidates and to increasing the engagement of the youth of America in the political process. The Cheshire Young Democrats have been active for nearly 10 years, campaigning for local, state, and federal elections, and were recognized by the High School Democrats of America as the Best Local Chapter in the United States.
"Recently, voter turnout in America has been extremely low.," said Cheshire High Young Dems president Spencer Kinyon in a prepared statement. "Democrats, who experience the lowest turnout rates, are the most affected by this trend, and can lose elections even when in the majority. With this rally, we hope to get voters excited for the upcoming election, and to help keep the state of Connecticut a true blue state."

Admission to the event is $10 if one wishes to eat dinner, which will be catered by Disorbo’s Restaurant and will include drinks, chicken marsala, vegetable medley, baked ziti, bread, and salad.

For more information, email [email protected].

Ernie DiPietro, in his 25th year as chairman of the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee, has seen it all when it comes to local, state and national elections, or at least he thought he did until this presidential election cycle. I recently sat down for a one-on-one Q&A session with the chairman of the CDTC for his take on the current presidential election cycle.
 
Dan Nowak: What is your take on the current presidential election?
 
Ernie DiPietro: When the primaries started, I don’t think anyone anticipated what we are seeing today. You have two candidates with issues. But Hillary Clinton’s experience and temperament, I think, gives her a big edge. Donald Trump set the tone from the start. He was a symbol of change and he took advantage of being a Washington outsider. People, Republicans, gravitated to that and they embraced his scary rhetoric and temperament in the primary. He revved up Republicans to the point where he got votes from 11 million people. It’s impressive when you think of what had to be done to put together that apparatus. But he has alienated many people, including people from his own party, with his rhetoric and actions. It started when he said (Arizona Republican Senator John) McCain is not a hero because he got captured. Voters, including Republicans, are hedging their bets when it comes to Trump because they know he could turn toxic at a moment’s notice. Hillary Clinton is certainly the better, safer option.
 
Dan Nowak: Do you see Trump and his rhetoric and issues helping Democrats and impacting Republicans in state Senate and House of Representative elections?
 
Ernie DiPietro: Are Republicans vulnerable because of all the negatives associated with Trump? I have my doubts because I think the country is so divided. Democrat candidates should not, and from those I’ve talked to don’t, expect this to be a landslide event for Dems because of Trump. If Republican state politicians embrace and support Trump, sure, it could make some kind of an impact in their district. But people in both parties will likely stay true to form. You are seeing a lot of Republican candidates, many in Connecticut, hesitant and hedging their bets on Trump. On the state level I think it is still the personalities of each candidate that matter the most and how effective those personalities connect with state voters.
 
Dan Nowak: If Republicans aren’t vulnerable because of Trump, does it at least make the campaign process easier for Democrats?
 
Ernie DiPietro: Democrats can not take anything for granted. They have to work as hard as they ever have to get elected. Like I said earlier, it comes down to personalities and how candidates’ personalities connect with voters in their district. Like every state and local election, there is nothing like going door-to-door. When you knock on a door and say “Hi, I’m Ernie DiPietro,” voters appreciate your effort to connect with them and they hear your campaign message on a personal level. It’s important to do the other things, putting up lawn signs, running newspaper ads and taking advantage of technology and its social media. Phone calling continues to be a part of the election process but you are lucky to reach a third of those you call. Technology has given us caller ID and if your call is identified as a political call odds are that phone call won’t be answered. Nothing is more effective or important than going door-to-door when it comes to getting votes. People feel good and important if you stop and personally talk to them.
 
Dan Nowak: How do you see the remaining days in the presidential election leading up to Election Day on Nov. 8?
 
Ernie DiPietro: Policy issues continue to take a back seat to personal issues for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. People do not inform themselves on issues like they did in the past. They rely on the electronic media and soundbites and that’s the scary part of this presidential election cycle. The confusing thing with Trump is when policy issues are offered they are not fully explained. The average voter hears Trump say he will build a wall and they will pay for it. Voters need to realistically consider who would pay for the wall, and they don’t go that extra step, because it’s unlikely Mexico will pay for it. Both candidates continue to have their issues. When they take a step forward something happens to take them a step or two back. But I think common sense will prevail. Donald Trump’s negative rhetoric and issues, his temperament and lack of civility, gives Hillary the edge moving forward. But this has been such a wacky presidential election who knows what will emerge between now and Election Day.