13 Days to Go: Morning Roundup
As things come down to the wire, here's what's going on this morning:
- Social Security privatization advocate Newt Gingrich holds a fundraiser for Social Security privatization advocate Chris Shays in Greenwich:
"You know that almost 100 people showed up at 7:30 a.m. on a cold Tuesday morning," said Michael Sohn, campaign manager for Shays. "I think that people are curious to hear what speaker Gingrich is saying. He's one of the most intellectual people in politics."
- The New Haven Register was at a press conference with Rosa DeLauro and Jim Himes in Shelton, on the importance of protecting Social Security:The two Democrats spoke about the faltering economy and the financial difficulties retirees face every day.
Himes said there is "a general need to preserve and strengthen the economy and preserve the security of our senior citizens."
Himes, a former executive at Goldman Sachs & Co., said he understands the need for senior citizens to save and invest prudently in the stock market.
However, he supports the "basic promise" made to retirees that because of Social Security benefits, they will not face poverty in their golden years.
- The Politico thinks Shays might be ousted this year:
Two years ago, Shays survived by about 7,000 votes after turnout in the city dropped dramatically and failed to offset Republican votes in the wealthier towns in lower Fairfield County. Anecdotal evidence, especially the continued pace of new voter registration, suggests this election will tell a different story.
"That is a great example of how motivated they are," says Angel De Para, a 33-year-old Bridgeport councilman, telling of meeting applicants at the registrar's office. "They want to be part of this monumental election that is definitely going to set the tone for decades to come."
- Down With Tyranny on Shays trying to run away from the "McTaint":
Meanwhile, a far bigger factor is coming into play that independents: "McCain Drag", or reverse coattails, on down-ticket races. McCain has already proven himself a disaster for GOP House candidates in special elections in red districts of Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi, all of whom were beaten by Democrats. Bush rubber stamp Chris Shays has been successful in distorting his record enough to trick many independents in CT-04 into thinking he wasn't a Bush clone. Now he's trying to persuade them that he's down with Obama, who is polling 20 points ahead of McCain in the district.
But progressive Democrat Jim Himes is looking like the man to finally put an end to Shays' disgraceful and dishonest political career.
What else is happening today?
