Republican Tom Foley did not have an easy time during the gubernatorial election against Democrat Dannel Malloy.
He was questioned on a regular basis about the bankruptcy of The Bibb Company in Georgia, his two arrests that were later dismissed, and other issues in a bitter campaign. But Foley never lost his cool in public, despite the intense negativity of the 2010 campaign season.
During a long campaign, tempers often flare and the skin of the candidates and their operatives often gets thinner and thinner as the days grind down. The atmosphere gets more shrill, and that has been the case for decades among both Republicans and Democrats.
In his concession speech Monday, Foley pointed out that the reporters had covered his campaign fairly.
"Finally, I want to thank all of you in the press corps,'' Foley told reporters in Hartford. "We have been fellow passengers on an interesting journey. I have enjoyed getting to know you and look forward to our continuing friendships. And without exception, I have found you serious, hard-working, and well-intended and only occasionally tempermental. You have treated me very fairly and covered this race well. I learned early on that it is a mistake not to take your questions after a press conference, so I am happy to answer any questions you may have now.''