Posted on 09/02/2010 8:06:49 PM PDT by Kaslin
Chris Murphy could very well be the victim of his own fortune on November 2nd. Riding high on the waves of the anti-status quo sentiment that swept him into office in 2006, he also held on to his seat in 2008 thanks to Obama fever. But Americans have woken up to the disastrous policies of this Congress and Administration and once again are hungry for change—and that spells trouble for Murphy. As his opponent, Sam Caliguiri, puts into motion a calculated campaign, Murphy may find himself, for the first time, out of luck.
While Connecticut leans Democratic, the Fifth District is the most Republican in the Nutmeg State and voters are ready to put some red in the state’s all-blue congressional delegation. Comprising much of the state’s western region, it encompasses the northern part of Fairfield County and includes cities and towns such as Danbury, Waterbury, and Meriden. Republican Rep. Nancy Johnson represented the area for nearly 25 years before she was defeated by Murphy in 2006. George W. Bush and John Kerry essentially tied here in 2004--each pulled in 49% of the vote in 2004--while the district went to President Obama in 2008 after he garnered 56 percent of the vote. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+2, this District is by no means safe for Democrats—and they know it.
Murphy got lucky: he was opportunistic and capitalized on the Democrat wave in 2006 and beat longtime Republican Rep. Nancy Johnson. He can thank the emotional frenzy the Obama campaign ushered in for his reelection in 2008. Unfortunately, he viewed that luck as a mandate to completely abandon the district’s independent tendencies for a liberal national agenda. Murphy seems to have forgotten the meaning of the word ‘independent’ as he has consistently voted for the Democrats’ irresponsible tax-and-spend ways: the stimulus, health care reform, and the bailouts all received his support. So while his constituents want jobs and economic stability first and foremost, he’s busy voting for measures that will drown future generations in debt and sink local businesses. Even worse, he’s doing this all the while eyeing his next move up the political ladder.
Connecticut state Senator Sam Caligiuri won the primary last month and is looking to help right the wrongs of Murphy’s tenure. A former mayor of Waterbury, Caligiuri is ready to forge a tough and aggressive campaign to boot Murphy out of his seat and to let his constituents know they have an ally for less spending and lower taxes in Congress. His track record proves that he’s a committed public servant who has effectively reined in budgets and created jobs. And during his time as mayor, Caligiuri also led the most aggressive municipal ethics reform effort in Connecticut history.
Where Murphy put his own best interests first, Caligiuri is ready to go to bat for his constituents. His support reaches beyond just Republicans. Caligiuri recently picked up the backing of state’s Independent Party, a significant group of voters who share Caligiuri’s values of less spending, lower taxes, and more jobs. On in their endorsement, the Independent Party of Connecticut cited Murphy’s role in a “Congress [that] has promoted policies of over-taxation and over-regulation,” stripping him of any credibility as an independent-minded representative. Caliguiri, however, “will help combat this agenda by fighting for individual freedoms and supporting our free market economy”.
As we know all too well, the Democrats’ loyal support for their party’s reckless agenda has proven disastrous for our country. This fall, that can change. Voters have the opportunity to send a very strong message Washington, and people like Sam Caligiuri can help write it. Americans want leaders. They want to be heard. Murphy forgot this, but Caliguiri won’t.
For more information, or to show your support, please visit www.samforcongress.com, or visit his Facebook and Twitter pages.
Riding high on the waves of the anti-status quo sentiment that swept him into office in 2006, he also held on to his seat in 2008 thanks to Obama fever.
Murphy's law of combat #16: tracers work both ways.
5.56mm
I hope that Sam Caligiuri wins this and that he’s part of a massive freshman class of 2010.
Any polling data on this race?
Sam Caligiuri actually shows up at local Tea Parties to meet the folks, whereas Chris holds dopey "town halls" in extremely remote locations to avoid his critics... tries to anyway.
Murphy Must Go!
No Blumen Way!
Thanks a lot for posting this.
I wanted Justin Bernier, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan to win the primary for the CT 5th District against Chris Murphy. So be it, Caligiuri of course I will vote.
Chris Murphy never meets with the citizens of CT without a plan.
He shows up in a city and you hear about it later. Labor unions unite is his stick.
Murphy has to go.
FYI for Jim Vicevich show
Love the phrasing. And Kerry leans liberal, and Obama leans socialist, and Stalin leaned socialist too.
For those of you geographically inclined, here is a map of the district:
http://www.chrismurphy.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=125&Itemid=58
Fortunately, this election is poised to be quite different than the usual Connecticut 'no contest' (if you're the Democrat) easy win and Chris Murphy apparently doesn't get it. Good. He will - on the morning of November 3rd, 2010. Sam Caligiuri is the right man at the right time. Politically conservative, well educated, personable, with an excellent record in public office, he is clearly a far superior candidate than the bland, party-line hack, Chris Murphy. In this election, where the same-old, same-old isn't going to cut it with fed-up voters, even in a 'blue' state, Chris Murphy is toast and Sam Caligiuri is going to Washington.
I live here so I know that by CT standards the area is pretty conservative and they do have an active tea party group here. If you'll notice, the district was drawn so that it went out of its way to include Waterbury, which is a statist stronghold. It easily overwhelms the rest of the mostly suburban middle class, center right voters. As a result we get hacks like Murphy. I've called his office and written letters about various issues both local and national and I'd get more response from talking to a wall. The only thing that I get are the standard form letters and campaign ads. What I read about Calligeri is mostly good.
The good news about this election cycle is that the socialists are pretty apathetic, but judging by the town halls I attended in the district the conservative base is fired up. I'd bet the house at Foxwoods that Murphy is done.
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