I hear you there man. I try my best to be a realistic centrist, which means by right-centrists I'm a left-wing commie pinko (and PROUD to be called that by them!)
Although, I more likely fall into Phil Och's definition of "Liberal," that is: "10deg left of center when it comes to politics, 10 deg RIGHT of center when it comes to my own affairs."
But yes, I agree. CT, hills, history... and if you listen to the right politicians, we have it better here than anywhere else in the world!
So, back to topic:
being as "10 deg to the left" as I am, I would LOVE to see as much truck-traffic taken off the roads as anyone else on this forum (except Ken, of course,) and it sure would be cool to see the midland re-laid, ... but the side of me that's "10 deg right of center" says we'll likely colonize Mars first.
Now, that being said, I did some research, and I found out the most direct routing from New London/Groton/Norwich area to Hartford would be a NECR/Midland/CSOR routing via Wilimantic and Manchester. The next most direct would be via Amtrak to Saybrook and up the Valley line. And of course, there's the only other viable option, the now existing NLON-NH change for Amtrak to Hartford.
...so if you run, I just MIGHT vote for you!
[EDIT: I forgot to say: "the most direct COMMUTER/PAX routing..." ]