National Democratic Party Bigwig Joins Himes
(from New Canaan News Review, Thursday, March 13, 2008)
STAMFORD - Democratic Party strategy for ending the 21-year congressional reign of Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, was the main food for political thought Friday during a press breakfast at Pellicci's Restaurant.
In outlining the victory strategy, congressional hopeful Jim Himes, a Greenwich politico and wizard on the economy, was joined by Rep. Christopher Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the National Democratic Party's Congressional Campaign Committee.
Himes, 41, a lanky Harvard graduate with 12 years as an investment banker at Goldman-Sachs under his belt, would take to Congress a terrific financial background the type of talent desperately needed at the national level "during these tough economic times," Van Hollen contended.
But there is more than economy expertise in the Himes political toolbox. He said he wants to:
* Start a new day in America, a bright day when folks can get a helping hand on their way out of the financial hole dug by the policies of President George W. Bush's administration "policies supported by Chris Shays."
* Fix the "broken contract with America." That contract, in effect and effective for prior generations, held that "if you work hard, you will succeed. Due to the failed Bush policies supported by Shays, millions of workers are finding the formula no longer applies."
* Repair the American public education system so students are well-prepared for 21st century jobs.
* End the drain of blood and money in Iraq.
Van Hollen and Himes charged that among his many failures to deliver when needed by his constituents, Shays' basic weakness stems from "being joined at the hip to Bush on the economy, healthcare, taxes and the Iraq war."
Himes revealed during the meeting that he is ratcheting up his campaign so it will be "full steam ahead" in November.
He has taken a leave of absence from the vice presidency of the New York office of Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit entity that focuses on community investments.
"I'm campaigning from dawn to dusk, day and night, to take the campaign to the voters full-time," Himes said.
He said he feels confident for several reasons. One is that "this time Shays will not have a campaign boost from having Karl Rove involved in getting out the vote for him."
Both Himes and Van Hollen charged "Defeating Diane Farrell" Shays' opponent for the second straight time was "a special Karl Rove project" during the last national election. They claimed "even secretaries" in the Bush administration were deployed to Fairfield County to get out the vote for Shays.
He won't have that kind of supplemental support this time around," Van Hollen said.
The energetic Democratic duo was asked about the prospects of victory in November. Smiling broadly as they posed for photographers, the two turned thumbs up.
"We're counting on Democrats, independents and Republicans to put me in office," Himes said.
"I didn't enter this campaign lightly," said Himes, chairman of the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. "The stakes are enormous for the economy, for bringing the troops home, for families, for the 43 million Americans without healthcare insurance, and for millions of students in public schools.
"I am a product of public education and I know it can be good. We must fix public education all over America."
