Posted on 03/02/2006 7:12:26 PM PST by neverdem
HARTFORD, March 1 — Even as he faces opposition among some in his party for his continued support of the war in Iraq, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman has secured the endorsement of every prominent Democrat in the state and polls show his approval ratings have stayed above 60 percent.
Now he has won another endorsement, but from an unlikely source — United States Representative Christopher Shays, a Republican who represents southwest Connecticut.
Mr. Shays said in interviews this week that he intended to vote for Senator Lieberman this fall, and that he had encouraged other top Connecticut Republicans to do so as well, including Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Representatives Nancy L. Johnson and Rob Simmons.
Recalling his conversation with Mrs. Rell, which he said took place "a long time ago," Mr. Shays said in a phone interview on Wednesday that "she kind of laughed at me and said, 'Chris, it's not going to happen.' "
Ms. Johnson and Mr. Simmons responded in similar fashion, he said.
"I didn't get many receptive ears," he added. "I would love for the party to support him."
If other elected Republicans do not share Mr. Shays's public enthusiasm for formally endorsing Mr. Lieberman, they also do not face the same political dynamic Mr. Shays does. First elected in 1987, Mr. Shays is running against the same Democratic opponent, Diane Farrell, whom he defeated in 2004 with 52 percent of the vote. That margin was down significantly from 2002, when he won with 64 percent of the vote against Stephanie Sanchez, who raised far less money than Ms. Farrell.
Ms. Farrell has made Mr. Shays's continued strong support for the war an important part of her campaign this year. At the same time, she has endorsed Senator Lieberman and points with pride to his...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
ping
That's no surprise. Shays is a Democrat in everything but Party Affilation.
Shay's is a grandstanding, anti-nuclear RINO.
Shays only gets attention because he's a vocal RINO. It's his only claim to fame.
Great post.
Shays is a Republican ??????
Does Ann Coulter still live in Shay's district?
Republican political incest..
I wish a conservative Jew would run for the GOP nom and get it. LOL, I'd love to cast one vote for that person before I fly away...
I used to like Lieberman. But he sold his soul to run for VP with algore. I'll never trust him again.
Shays is a Republican?
And hell will freeze over. That being said I could vote for that ticket.
It sure would be interesting watching the debates. :)
All this talk of choice and America is good would be too much. Lol!
Thanks for the heads up... I'll ping my CT list.
Connecticut ping!
Mr. Shays said in interviews this week that he intended to vote for Senator Lieberman this fall, and that he had encouraged other top Connecticut Republicans to do so as well, including Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Representatives Nancy L. Johnson and Rob Simmons.
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
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