Democrats Have Sweep Hopes
Wilton Bulletin, Monday, September 15, 2008
Written by Justin Reynolds
Tropical Storm Hanna didn't prevent Wilton's optimistic and determined Democrats from gathering in support of their party's candidates, whom they hope will sweep four contests this November.
Despite overcast skies and eerie forecasts, roughly 80 Democrats gathered at Merwin Meadows Saturday afternoon to show their support for Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, congressional hopeful Jim Himes, state Senate candidate John Hartwell, and state representative candidate Peggy Reeves.
While the Democrats have their eyes set on sending Mr. Obama to the White House and unseating 11-term Congressman Christopher Shays, New England's only Republican U.S. representative, elections on the local level in what Mr. Hartwell called a "traditionally Republican" district are just as important to them.
Mr. Hartwell is running against Republican state Rep. Toni Boucher of Wilton to became state senator of Connecticut's 26th District. Judith Freedman, the 11-term Republican incumbent, earlier this year announced she would not run for a 12th.
"People say this is not a winnable district" for Democrats, "but in fact it is," Mr. Hartwell said, adding that Senator John Kerry carried the district with 51% of the vote in the presidential election of 2004 and that Senator Chris Dodd carried the district with 60% of the vote in the same year to win his fifth senatorial term. "The fact is that it is not a Republican area" and voters will "choose the person best suited for the job," he said.
Mr. Hartwell said the largest group of voters in the district are unaffiliated with any party, and that in order to win their votes, it was "vitally important" for fellow Democrats to spread his message face to face to undecided voters.
For Mr. Hartwell, the most important issues facing the area are the lack of transportation alternatives, affordable health care and environmental protection. He wants to increase the capacity and frequency of trains, getting people off Route 7 and onto the railways, pass legislation enabling affordable health care for small businesses and individuals and protect Connecticut's rivers.
Ms. Reeves, one of Wilton's registrars of voters, will run against Second Selectman Susan Bruschi for state representative of the 143rd District, a seat held by Ms. Boucher since 1996.
"I'm not in this race to finish second," Ms. Reeves told her fellow Democrats. "Stay up and positive and believe that the Democrats will sweep the ticket this year."
John Kalamarides, chair of Wilton's Democratic Town Committee, complimented Ms. Reeves on her "meticulous work" as registrar and said he was certain these skills would translate well in Hartford.
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut's attorney general, relayed his support of both Mr. Hartwell and Ms. Reeves.
"People are beyond party these days" and elect the best candidate, he said. "Peggy and John are going to carry Barack Obama on their coattails."
Mr. Himes, who announced his candidacy against Mr. Shays in May 2007 at Trackside here, said it was important for America's future "that we come together."
Along with the help of other Democrats, "I'm the guy that's going to turn this district blue," Mr. Himes said. "The future belongs to us and our party. We are doing something very sacred, very noble."
Dan Malloy, mayor of Stamford, called Mr. Himes "a rare individual."
"He decided to change career and commit himself to those less fortunate," Mr. Malloy said, adding Mr. Himes is a man of "great integrity, great intelligence and great accomplishment."
Selectman Ted Hoffstatter said he likes his party's chances this November.
"We have three incredible candidates, all with solid backgrounds," he said. "I think they're going to do very well."
Presidential race
After eight years of a Republican living at the White House, the Democrats loudly voiced their desire to see Mr. Obama, who's running against Arizona Senator John McCain, take up residency there next year.
"We need change in Washington and we're going to see a change with Barack Obama," Mr. Blumenthal said, adding George W. Bush's Presidency has been "the most lawless presidency in the history of this country. I know it from personal experience because I've sued them."
The Republicans "have wrecked our country and trampled our Constitution," Mr. Himes said. It's time to "stand up for the Constitution."
Martha Aasen, a Democrat who lives in Westport and was a delegate at the Democratic National Convention, said that upon seeing tears streaming down people's faces, she knew the country needs to elect Mr. Obama this fall.
"We are going to work our proverbial tails off to elect Barack Obama," she said. "There is not disunity in our party."
Denise Nappier, Connecticut's treasurer, said we were living in "one of the most demanding and difficult times in the history of this nation."
"There's no question that the next President of the United States is going to have to face the unduly task of fixing the misguided policies of the Bush administration," she said.
Ms. Nappier said Mr. McCain's "campaign for change is shortsighted, misguided and deceptive" and that Mr. Obama was a "true visionary" who will "place the nation's priorities in order" and "restore a sense of balance."
Mr. Malloy said he thought it was "dangerous" that Mr. McCain "has decided he will say or do anything to get elected" President.
"For McCain, change is what's left after you buy your seventh home," he said. "What really has changed is John McCain."
Mr. Himes said Americans were lucky to have a candidate like Mr. Obama, and that in ancient Arabic, the word "barack" means "blessing."
"Let's not waste this blessing," he said. Electing Mr. Obama would "say to the rest of the world, ‘We are Americans, and we are back.'"
