Connecticut Local Politics

Apparently, Congressman Chris Shays crashed Jim Himes’ press conference at the Congress Street Bridge in Bridgeport this afternoon.

Nothing says confident like a sitting Congressman crashing his opponents press conference…

The candidates argued over who is to blame for the failure to fix the span � stuck upright for more than a decade � when U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, crashed a press conference called by Democratic challenger Jim Himes at the East Side end of the bridge.
…
[Himes] reiterated his previous claim that Shays has devoted more attention to issues in Iraq, and cited the bridge as a symbol of veteran Republican’s neglect of the city. “The bridge is a symbol of a much larger issue. It symbolizes the need for renewal,” Himes said of the span, which links downtown to the heart of the East Side.

This is a very odd display by a 21-year incumbent. For Shays to be crashing press conferences, he must be very concerned about this challenge (BTW, it isn’t even September 1). And he should be. His actions smack of desperation. For their part, the Himes campaign knocks the beachball-sized frame out of the park, with a spokesman saying, “It’s too bad that it took a camera and a gaggle of reporters to get Chris Shays to focus on issues that matter here in Connecticut.” Indeed.

Shays’ predictable brand of telling everyone what they want to hear truthiness was on display as well…

Shays, who arrived uninvited, said he felt it was important to personally address Himes’ “outrageous” claims that the Democrat had made last week.

During 21 years in office, Shays fumed, “I’ve never had someone make this kind of claim. The facts are clear, [the Congress Street bridge] has never been a priority of the city. In the end, it’s [the city's] decision.”

Unfortunately, the facts were less clear to the city…

Adam Wood, the mayor’s chief of staff, however, said the mayor has indeed discussed the Congress Street bridge with Shays.

“He actually has had conversations with Congressman Shays. Bill definitely brought it up to him,” Wood said after the press conference. “They clearly discussed the Congress Street bridge.”

In fact, Wood said, Shays told the mayor “it would probably be easier to take [the bridge] down.”

Several of the City Council members who attended the Himes press conference said they had also spoken to Shays about the broken bridge several months ago.

“We met with [Shays] personally. He stated that it was a waste of money,” said council member Leticia Colon, D-131. Shays told Colon, though, that he looks to the mayor to set the city’s priorities.

And…

“And it’s not that [the bridge] is not important,” he said today.

Vs.

Shays told the mayor “it would probably be easier to take [the bridge] down.”
…
Several of the City Council members who attended the Himes press conference said they had also spoken to Shays about the broken bridge several months ago.

“We met with [Shays] personally. He stated that it was a waste of money,” said council member Leticia Colon, D-131.

This race is going to be one of the most interesting in the country come November. Stay tuned.