Greenwich Post, a weekly in Democratic congressional challenger Jim Himes' hometown, issued a strong endorsement of Himes in its last edition- and a condemnation of faux-moderate Republican Chris Shays (too bad the New York Times couldn't see as clearly!). Here it is:
In the race for who we send to represent us in Washington D.C. the choice is clear. Jim Himes has the fresh voice and ideas we need for the 4th Congressional District.
Mr. Himes’ experience in the financial sector as a vice president at Goldman Sachs and then in his years heading a nonprofit, creating affordable, green housing make him uniquely suited for the challenges that lay ahead. Not only will his proposals strengthen the middle class through tax cuts and a stimulus package but also focus our country on creating a green economy it needs to move forward while still providing for our nation’s residents.
Mr. Himes opposed the war in Iraq and is in favor of putting our military resources where they belong, in Afghanistan to stop the growing tide of Islamic extremism thanks to a resurgent Taliban and Al Qaeda. The Cos Cob resident will do this town and this district proud in Congress.
Christopher Shays is not the moderate he claims to be. While he makes a great presentation of claiming every bill he supports is done with a Democrat and that no one could ever be as independent and bi-partisan as he, that’s the same broken record we’ve been hearing for years. It’s time to discard it. Mr. Shays was a cheerleader for the Iraq War and the Patriot Act, supported President George Bush’s tax cuts during a time of war to make the rich richer and is the state co-chairman for John McCain’s presidential campaign.
Mr. Shays may talk the talk of a moderate but he does not walk the walk.
After 21 years, our congressman has lost touch with his constituency. His recent comments that the fundamentals of the economy are strong show that. If he really meant that the American work force and industrial base are strong but the financial sector is not, he should have said that instead of spinning his words later.
If the voters make the right choice, Mr. Himes will work as part of a Democratic majority to bring fiscal sanity back to our government, improve our standing in the world at a time of great turmoil and move this country forward when, for too long it’s been held back by the Bush administration and its congressional cronies.
We know Mr. Himes in this town. We know he is a good man with high standards and the best intentions of what he can accomplish in government.
His ideas for turning the economy around and giving America energy independence while creating jobs new jobs are right for the country and for Connecticut. He understands that our state has transportation issues that need to be addressed and has new ideas to bring change and ease commuter woes. Mr. Shays has had 21 years to make that happen and has failed. Republicans, independents and Democrats need to join together and look at the fresh opportunity that Mr. Himes’ candidacy offers us.
Now, more than ever, it is time for a change.
Copyright 2008 Greenwich Post Hersam Acorn Newspapers LLC
Used with permission. All rights reserved.