Connecticut Republicans will gather in Hartford Friday to nominate their candidate for U.S. Senate. And for the first time in a generation, the GOP actually has a shot to win. But instead, many party leaders appear ready to proudly back money (by calling it “business sense”) over experience (by calling it “the old way.”)
Linda McMahon has been gathering up town committee and Connecticut Republican endorsements all over the state. Including endorsements from Darien’s first selectman and RTC chairman. Some are saying the former WWE CEO has the experience to create jobs in Connecticut — something the U.S. Senate has little influence on. And even if you look past McMahon’s history of creating jobs by peddling a product that is barely above pornography, her ideas and platform are weak and her chances of actually winning the general election in November are even weaker.
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Chris Shays on the other hand may be a longtime politician. But he’s been the anti-politician who just happened to serve in Congress for two decades. He made a career out of taking unpopular stands, working in bipartisan ways and bucking his own party — which may be why many in the GOP are backing McMahon. Chris Shays is a true Connecticut Yankee. He’s fiscally conservative — and has an actual record to show it.
Two years ago, Connecticut Republicans picked McMahon’s hefty pocketbook over a Republican with a chance to win. This time, they have the chance to nominate a man who not only appeals to independent voters, but a chance to put the state Republican party back in the game. And while no matter who gets the convention’s endorsement this weekend, the loser has vowed to primary this summer, the party has chance to send a message that it actually wants to start winning again instead of whining.
And there’s this: A vote for Linda McMahon is a guarantee that Democrat Chris Murphy will hold Connecticut’s junior U.S. Senate seat as long as he wants it.
