The House GOP needs to work on its acronyms. CHOMP, or Challengers Helping to Obtain the Majority Program, is a series of big fundraisers designed to help out Republican congressional challengers. The only Connecticut candidate on the list so far is David Cappiello (Sean Sullivan is absent), who will start reaping the benefits pretty soon:
The event, which is set for Oct. 24 at the Capitol Hill Club, has raised between $75,000 and $100,000 per candidate in the past and is expected to raise a similar amount this time. A letter distributed to House GOPers on Tuesday asks them to contribute $2,000 from their campaign committees and $5,000 from their leadership PACs to each of the nine candidates.
“It is crucial that we start on the offensive this fall instead of playing catch-up next spring,” the letter states.
[...]
“The candidates selected for the first round of the CHOMP effort are all running strong campaigns and have excellent chances of winning in some of our high-priority districts,” NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said. (Blake)
I’m still not convinced that anyone can touch Murphy in 2008 given his strong 2006 showing, but at least Cappiello has the full backing of his party in Washington. That should guarantee that Cappiello will at least be able to stay within sight of Murphy monetarily. Other Republican challengers in the state probably won’t be so lucky.
Source
Blake, Aaron. “First round of CHOMP beneficiaries will include former Reps. Bradley, Hart, Ryun.” The Hill 19 September, 2007.
48 responses so far ↓
>>I’m still not convinced that anyone can touch Murphy in 2008
Whole scenario changes dramatically, particularly in western Connecticut; with Rudy as the nominee. The Republican turnout would go through the roof, probably resulting in a virtual GOP landslide in the western section of the state.
Yes… no one can touch Murphy. Mua ha haha!
I hope he believes that too.
If Rudy was the nominee that would probably guarantee Shays re-election, and make Cappiello-Murphy a very close race. The GOP would erase the Stupormajority that the Democrats have now in Hartford–which I think they’ll probably manage regardless.
But, that depends on Rudy actually getting the nomination.
It’s a little early for predictions, but Democrat Murphy will have the considerable advantages of incumbency, including the possibility of receiving from Earmark King John Murtha an additional submarine in his Christmas stocking. It can’t hurt any of the new House members, and ABSCAM happend long ago.
Murphy has raised A LOT of money. And conditions in 2008 look (at least right now) like they’ll favor Democrats still.
Again, ACR is right about the presidential campaign’s possible influence. But I think only Rudy could bring any piece of Connecticut along with him–everyone else will get steamrolled as usual.
>>But, that depends on Rudy actually getting the nomination.
He would be the best candidate for CT; I don’t know that he would win nationally however.
Conceivably (pun intended) we could get him past the pro-life crowd, but to do that *and* waltz him by NRA supporters simultaneously will require a lot of heavy lifting.
If he cleans up his act regarding guns, he could do it.
He needs to go west on a campaign trip and have an epiphany; return to the campaign trail as a born again gun rights candidate and profess the error of his ways having finally seen the light.
Let’s not forget what the NRA did to Gore in his own home state, which is what really cost him the election 7 years ago.
An anti-gun Republican can not win nationally.
>>I hope he believes that too.
Headless – I’ve seen the guy in action; he’s scary.
Has that tall well dressed Irish deal going for himself with the quick wit and matching smile. He can be engaging in an instant.
His ability to feign concern is beyond belief; as his talent as it regards outright lies.
Since he invariably disappoints his supporters and thus brings few from one campaign to the next; his ability to attract new volunteers is nothing less than miraculous.
He is without question the finest con man operating in the United States at this time; far exceeding legendary Billy Sol Estes.
The man is so dangerous that I’ve been re-thinking Rudy, solely as a vehicle to dump Murphy as I otherwise have no real use for Gulliani and have stated publicly in the past that I would just as soon support Hillary as him.
Dumping Murphy at any cost might well be worth it; he’s **that** dangerous.
>>I’m still not convinced that anyone can touch Murphy in 2008
I agree with Headless I also hope Murphy really believes that.
I think a lot of people will be surprised exactly how well Cappiello will do against Murphy, with or without Rudy’s help. Murphy’s strong showing in 2006 was the result of a district who wanted change from a long standing incumbent but it was definitely not the kind of the change that district will settle for. As the campaign starts to heat up and voters start to take a look at what their member of Congress has accomplished or lack there of for that matter they’ll see that Cappiello was the change they were looking for in ‘06 not Murphy.
Two things are critical to any challenger of Murphy: (1) a compelling Republican Presidential candidate at the top of the ticket and (2) successfully demonstrating to the district that Murphy is the Rosa DeLauro of the west. (Certainly not a “Blue Dog”!!) There’s no question that if the voters want a so-called “moderate” they will vote for Cappiello.
I admit that I have drunk the kool-aid and think Murphy is a very good congressman. I worked (volunteered) on his campaign. I could understand the disagreement with his politics but all I see above hate filled rhetoric.
And alot of self delusion. Rudy will not be nominate for many right wing reasons but if he is he will not take CT. When people find out that he directed the Emergrncy Command Post be placed in the World Treade Center office owned by one of his biggest contributors, they will think otherwise.
And again, I predict, Unless he’s found in bed with a minor or a envelope of cah in his hand, Murphy will beat Cappiello by at least between 52-48 and 54-46.
ACR–
If you want to take down Murphy the GOP might do better by running someone other than a fly-by-night mortgage broker against him. (What’s the name of the outfit Cappiello currently pimps for?)
Which is not to mention the fact that Cappiello’s wife is a friggin’ lobbyist for Anthem/Blue Cross. Now that’s a popular, sure-fired winning combination!
The one thing I’ll grant Arab-American Cappiello is that he’s right on Iraq. What did he say? Oh yeah, “it was a mistake from day one.”
>>Unless he’s found in bed with a minor or a envelope of cash in his hand,
Or if his earlier supporters ever get together and compare notes.
>>other than a fly-by-night mortgage broker against him.
You’re aware that banks such as Webster are not actual mortgage holders?
No – they’re brokers.
Further – when did Murphy ever actually work at all?
The poor guy had to take perspiration lessons down at the Y in the sauna as he’d never seen that before. (scared himself half to death according to witnesses…“what is that? Omygod I’m leaking..what’s happening to me?”)
[quote comment="19458"]ACR–
If you want to take down Murphy the GOP might do better by running someone other than a fly-by-night mortgage broker against him. (What’s the name of the outfit Cappiello currently pimps for?)
Which is not to mention the fact that Cappiello’s wife is a friggin’ lobbyist for Anthem/Blue Cross. Now that’s a popular, sure-fired winning combination!
quote]
Cranky today, too, I see. Not enough sleep? Exercise?
What makes you so unkind, True Blue?
We can have differences on politics, that’s what makes it fun. But you are really an angry, bitter guy.
Hey, I have a lot of fun in politics. In fact there are only a few people across all of America who had more fun in 2006 than I did!
What’s so bitter about pointing out to ACR that you guys are hoping to win with a mortgage broker who changes companies every other year? To me that’s funny.
Add in the fact that Cappi’s wife is a lobbyist for the health care industry and I’m ROTFLMAO. It’s just not a winning combo, and the fact the GOP and the NRCC are wasting scarce $$$ in CT-05 puts a smile on my face.
scarce money?
Yeah. Scarce.
This cycle Dems are outraising you guys, big time. 2008 isn’t going to be like past years where we were routinely outspent.
Yes scarce money. Dems are outraising Republicans by about 2-1.
And ACR, when I volunteered for Murphy I met alot of people who worked with him in previous cmapaigns who conyinue to work and volnteer from him. I think you’re just spewing rhetoric
Bad spelling day
TrueBlue going right for the personal attacks.
Okay, donate money to Cappiello, then wonder why it goes to waste as he is out of the campaign before election day, due to more Galante info coming out.
>>And ACR, when I volunteered for Murphy I met alot of people who worked with him in previous cmapaigns who conyinue to work and volnteer from him. I think you’re just spewing rhetoric
Uh…no.
I live in Southington and even had young Chris in the house when he 1st ran for PZC (not a particularly partisan board) and have known for years many of his earliest supporters virtually all of whom now regret it.
His concept of honesty is very different than most people I know regardless of their political stripe; as far as I can tell he has no honor what-so-ever. To lie about the health of an incumbents child is so far over the line you can’t even see it from it here.
BTW – my typing is awful and my spelling even worse; I fake it better than you do with this: http://www.iespell.com/ A quick right click and it fixes most goof ups on the spot.
ACR,
You are so far gone it’s not funny. I’d love to pull up all of your predictions before last years elections. Your sanity flew the coop with Schlesinger.
When a supporter of a candidate, Republican or Democrat, starts taking shots at their opponents personal life and tries to imply that there is some kind of scandal behind that person it ususally means that they are concerned. I take it from the cheap shots leveled by TrueBlue & Jujubee that there is more than just a little concern in the Murphy camp.
Mr. Reality, if you want to see someone who gets personal, check out ACR. He’s Mr. Grudge.
His views on DeStefano and Murphy aren’t issue based at all. Strictly personal.
OTOH, I don’t see what’s wrong with pointing out that subprime mortgage brokers aren’t well-regarded, just like lobbyists and Anthem/Blue Cross. Those are matters of fact, not opinion, and I have nothing against Cappiello b/c unlike Chris Shays he’s not insane about Bush’s Iraq experiment.
Saying people in Southington don’t like Murphy is a lot different than saying Cappiello is involved in some scandal with the mob or is a chop shop mortgage broker… Also, bringing up his wife as a lobbyist is pretty nit-picky too, unless you can point a specific vote that would somehow compromise his integrity.
Hey, I haven’t made any mob accusations against Cappi, and from all I’ve gleaned I doubt he has mob ties.
What is a chop shop when it comes to mortgages? I’ve never heard of the term.
As to lobbyist wives, it’s a big deal when a supposed representative of the people has a good chunk of his family’s bills paid by corporate interests. There ought to be a law, or at least better disclosure.
TrueBlueCT & Jujubee should check their personal attacks at the door…
Remember, the record shows Chris Murphy accepted MORE money from companies ran by alleged mobster James Galante than State Senator David Cappiello.
During the 2002-2004 State Senate campaign cycles, Congressman Murphy – then a State Senator – accepted $750 from those same companies associated with Galante. Senator Cappiello accepted $500.
Here are the amounts that Murphy’s Senate Campaigns accepted in the form of ad-book donations from Galante businesses.
From the State Elections Enforcement Commission Records:
2002 (February 2003 Report) Superior Waste Disposal $250
2004 (April 7, 2004 Report) Automated Waste Disposal $250
2004 (October 26, 2004 Report) TSI-MSW $250
So he 50% more corrupt?
No. Not infeering either of them are corrupt.
Murphy’s supporters have continually acted like “pots” that call “the kettle” black on the issue of ties with Galante.
I wonder what led National Republicans to invest so early in Cappiello. Perhaps they know that Murphy’s win had more to do with Johnson than Murphy. They also would not make such a decision without some internal polling, and those polls must show some weaknesses of the incumbent.
Heck, Congress is at 11% approval.
That’s right, only 11% approve of the job Congress is doing. Even the lame duck and unpopular President is more popular than the Democrat Congress. Maybe it’s not such a bad time to be a challenger.
The President is always more popular than Congress – at ever point in American (polling) history save just before the impeachment of Nixon.
Also, while the overall approval rating of Congress is lower than normal (and it normally is always fairly low), that does not generally reflect the approval rating of any particular member of Congress…
[quote comment="19505"]No. Not infeering either of them are corrupt.
Murphy’s supporters have continually acted like “pots” that call “the kettle” black on the issue of ties with Galante.[/quote]
Well looks like others are inferring what they want, because I never said I was a Murphy supporter. I’m just critical of Cappiello, and how he has suddenly shyed away from DeLuca whom at times he treated as a father figure at the state capitol. And no, I don’t have proof that he is tied at the hip with Galante, but it sure wouldn’t surprise me as it wouldn’t surprise any of you. I didn’t in any way state a fact or provide info, not that there isn’t any out there. But, ACR is full on lying when he states that most of Southington is anti-Murphy. All you have to do is look at election results from last year, which prove you wrong. So, in summary, I may be implying that there could be stronger ties with Cappiello as more info comes out in the DeLuca probe, but not stating a fact, because there is nothing out there to prove it. Unlike ACR who states things as fact even when the evidence shows otherwise. Kind of like DeLuca and Waterbury’s Chief of Police. Oooooooohhhhh maybe…..
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its third annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress today.
Guess who is on it (as one of only four Democrats).
Murphy’s vote for Majority Leader.
What is Union Thug talking about? In the words of Bill O’ “Look again pal.” TIMOTHY Murphy, Republican of Pennsylvania is on the list, not Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Yeeesh.
[quote post="984"]What is Union Thug talking about? [/quote]
He’s talking about John Murtha, who Chris supported for majority leader. The guy is absolutely corrpupt, and I’m really disappointed in Chris’ support of him. Still, I don’t think it reflects on Murphy in any way. His betrayal of Hoyer, who did a lot to help Chris, is more upsetting than anything else.
>>Southington is anti-Murphy. All you have to do is look at election results from last year, which prove you wrong
Don’t look now….but Southington is entirely within the 1st Cong. district; Murphy was not on the ballot here.
Further – those that helped him originally (PZC) were no where to be found when he ran for the house and those with him in that race (his 2nd run there was a joke; the GOP hadn’t gotten used to the idea that Angelo had lost) were not around when he ran for the vacant 16th senate seat …which he barely won.
Once again – for congress he assembled an entirely new flock of volunteers and his ability to do so is in fact a testimony to his leadership and organizational skills both of which are considerable.
He’s a tireless campaigner
His knowledge of the mechanics of a winning political campaign are consummate and encyclopedic.
He’s good (more like great) on his feet.
He’s a fast wit with a ready smile and a firm (but meaningless) handshake.
He’s also a snake and that’s a fairly serious downside.
I seriously doubt you’ll get a string of current Democratic Party officials and/or office holders to go public with any negative remarks regarding a sitting Democratic member of Congress; but I work on other non-political projects with these people and have with some of them for over 30 years.
But what do I know? I only live here and watched him go from PZC to Congress in less than a decade.
ACR–
What are you going to do when Congressman Murphy becomes our next United States Senator!
Frankly your testimony against Murphy is about as vacuous as your beef with DeStefano.
Tell you what TBCT; why don’t *you* answer anything ever?
Try it once.
Until then this is the last response you’ll ever see from me.
[quote post="984"]Frankly your testimony against Murphy is about as vacuous as your beef with DeStefano.[/quote]
I’m one long time volunteer for Murphy who thinks he’s quite respectable, and a man of character. Even though we disagree on a lot, he’s the honest kind of person we need in government. So I’d agree with you that ACR’s criticism of Murphy is vacuous.
But his beef with DeStefano is completely justified and substantive. The guy’s just lousy at his job. He’s a bad mayor and a worse candidate for governor.
Great Jim. The best mayor New Haven’s ever had, one that’s about to be re-elected to his eighth term, is “lousy at his job”.
Your conclusion is that New Haven voters don’t know what’s good for them? Based on effing what?
You’re as bad as ACR!
>>criticism of Murphy is vacuous.
You might check with the doctors at Bradley Memorial.
Be ready for an earful.
But I don’t need an earful on tort reform. We’ve all heard it over and over, and I’m not sure it’s a big surprise that Murphy, an attorney and a liberal, doesn’t support tort reform. I think he’s always been quite honest about that.
ARC,
I am also a Southington resident who many years ago fell victim to exactly the same Murphy campaign magic as you say you did….. We both know what he is, and is not, but I don’t think he is as bad as you seem to think. I will admit however I wish I never opened the door when he knocked on it that day. Actually my son did, so I can at least claim it’s not all my fault!!!!
He’s just another guy who is looking to make a living. Sure, I am just as upset as you are at how he can look you square in the eye, and tell you he supports your concerns when he has no intention of ever doing so…… and more…..But that only makes him a politician, not any more dangerous than many others….. We elect, and then re elect these guys, so who is really at fault???
I suspect the voters of the 5th district will soon see the change they think they voted for they are not getting but that is their problem, we are in the 1st district….. He moved away. remember??? So in my mind this guy is out of my life!!!!!!!
Of course TBCT correctly comments Congressman Murphy will someday soon become Senator Murphy…… It’s just a matter of time, so I suggest ARC you just get over it…..If this is what CT wants for “leadership” then that is what it will get. In my case anyway Wyoming is a better place, so why sweat the small details??
>>I think he’s always been quite honest about that.
Not at all.
He trotted in to a function at Bradley; gave the doctors a dog and pony show with big promises to help them and so on and so forth.
Then, after collecting enough cash to fill a Brinks truck from them; he stabbed them in the back.
I can’t recall ever seeing anyone play politics quite like that before in my life.
After raising a a ton of cash and working with/for Murphy for years and after holding multiple fund raisers for him at her home; a local real estate agent was stunned to learn he had purchased a home using a complete stranger as his agent.
Not a particularly warm fellow and certainly not one anyone I know would consider loyal.
My distaste for Murphy has little to do with his politics; the man has no character and even less class.
I’ve already listed his rather lengthy upside – which is considerable.
It’s understandable why others that have not watched him closely for over 10 years would be taken by him.
>>I>and tell you he supports your concerns when he has no intention of ever doing so…… and more…..But that only makes him a
No one ever accused Angelo of that sort of behavior. Like him or not, agree with him or not – he never lied to his constituents or anyone else. Ever. I could list 20 or 30 more including a lot of Dems too – but I’d get thrown out of the party for doing so.
>>In my case anyway Wyoming is a better place
Have you noticed they talk kinda funny? They like to put “r’s” into words that don’t have any, like “wash” which they tend to say as “warsh”. I guess that’s where the R’s that Bostonians don’t use go. Wyoming must buy them on the wholesale market for cheap.
My wife and I looked at real estate in Mass early this month; prop. taxes are a LOT lower there; like 25% of what we pay here now. Gas is cheaper, cigarettes are cheaper and they don’t tax retirement income which CT (and only 4 or 5 other states) does.
[quote comment="19530"]>>I think he’s always been quite honest about that.
Not at all.
He trotted in to a function at Bradley; gave the doctors a dog and pony show with big promises to help them and so on and so forth.
Then, after collecting enough cash to fill a Brinks truck from them; he stabbed them in the back.
I can’t recall ever seeing anyone play politics quite like that before in my life.
After raising a a ton of cash and working with/for Murphy for years and after holding multiple fund raisers for him at her home; a local real estate agent was stunned to learn he had purchased a home using a complete stranger as his agent.
Not a particularly warm fellow and certainly not one anyone I know would consider loyal.
My distaste for Murphy has little to do with his politics; the man has no character and even less class.
I’ve already listed his rather lengthy upside – which is considerable.
It’s understandable why others that have not watched him closely for over 10 years would be taken by him.
>>I>and tell you he supports your concerns when he has no intention of ever doing so…… and more…..But that only makes him a
No one ever accused Angelo of that sort of behavior. Like him or not, agree with him or not – he never lied to his constituents or anyone else. Ever. I could list 20 or 30 more including a lot of Dems too – but I’d get thrown out of the party for doing so.
>>In my case anyway Wyoming is a better place
Have you noticed they talk kinda funny? They like to put “r’s” into words that don’t have any, like “wash” which they tend to say as “warsh”. I guess that’s where the R’s that Bostonians don’t use go. Wyoming must buy them on the wholesale market for cheap.
My wife and I looked at real estate in Mass early this month; prop. taxes are a LOT lower there; like 25% of what we pay here now. Gas is cheaper, cigarettes are cheaper and they don’t tax retirement income which CT (and only 4 or 5 other states) does.[/quote]
So, what you’re saying, and this explains why you openly support DeLuca, is that he should take these campaign contributions in order to influence his votes and who he does business with??? Okay, I’ll lay off, you are definitely firmly entrenched in the Republican rhetoric and their level of ethics. And Murphy is supposedly the one with no class? I know the party pays you to post on here all day, but you don’t have to make yourself sound like a moron.
ACR is old school. His politics are all about relationships, the old “who knows who.”
In his world the first principle is loyalty, and issues come second.
Of course there are many old school Dems who operate in the same mode.
Horrible? I don’t know. But ACR isn’t alone in the way he sees/plays the game.
I don’t like the idea that any entity could buy material or immaterial influence, whether it be a corporation, a small business, a labor union or an individual. But I also believe that any entity that pays taxes to our government, should have a voice in how those taxes are used. So I cautiously accept that lobbyists (representing business, labor, non-profit, etc.) have a legitimate mission to fulfill so long as campaign finance and ethics restrictions are sufficient, equally applied and strongly enforced.
Senator Cappiello is married to a lobbyist. Not only is she a lobbyist, she is a lobbyist for a healthcare company. Not only is she a lobbyist for a healthcare company, she is also a registered Democrat. And, hey, not only is she a registered Democrat, she used to be Democratic Senator Billy Ciatto’s legislative aide. Not only that, she is the loving mother of two children. She and Senator Cappiello do a good job balancing their careers with being superb, devoted parents, which is not an easy task as most dual-income families know.
It is very easy to smear people when you don’t really know them. People should fact-check there own opinions before accusing someone of being anything less decent.
Every Birthday gift, Anniversary gift and Christmas gift shared between Senator and Mrs. Cappiello have been documented in the ethics reports, above and beyond what most legislators bother to report. They even reported gifts from each others’ families. And one should also examine Senator Cappiello’s voting record regarding health care issues, including those cast within the appropriations committee and not just those cast on the Senate floor, before assuming that he has been bought and paid for by the healthcare industry. I’m sure there have been some very quiet dinners in the Cappiello household following some of his votes.
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