http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-debates2oct01,0,3487326.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines

Long line of debates to come for Shays, Farrell

By Mark Ginocchio
Staff Writer

October 1, 2006

Fourth Congressional District candidates will get their first chance this week to introduce themselves to voters and try to punch holes in their opponent's positions.

The first of 11 scheduled debates between U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Bridgeport, and Democratic challenger Diane Farrell will be Wednesday in Stamford.

The Iraq war is expected to dominate all of the debates, as Farrell has made it a central issue of the campaign.

Political observers said Farrell must stay focused but provide more specifics about her positions, while Shays needs to tout his experience and avoid reacting defensively when his opponent attacks.

Farrell "needs to make the case for change in an articulate way," said Gary Rose, chairman of the department of government and politics at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Shays' "experience is vital. He needs to convince people that his longevity is very beneficial," Rose said.

Wednesday's 1 p.m. debate at the Stamford Marriott was organized by the Business Council of Fairfield County and sponsored by The Advocate and Greenwich Time and the League of Women Voters, among others. The three-way debate will feature Libertarian Candidate Phil Maymin, but Green Party candidate Richard Duffee was excluded because of his lack of organization and resources.

Farrell, who has been critical of Shays' support for the Iraq war, needs to start addressing details, "because that is something she is missing right now," said Ruth Sherman, a communications consultant from Greenwich who has coached political candidates.

Donald Greenberg, chairman of the political science department at Fairfield University, said if Shays stays consistent in his message, keeps his composure and effectively defends his record, his re-election should be safe.

To prepare for the debates, Farrell has been listening to the issues voters are asking most about at various meetings, said Jan Spiegel, a spokeswoman for the campaign.

These meetings did not feature "select audiences," and Democrats and Republicans attended, Spiegel said.

Shays is "excited and looking forward to debates," said his campaign manager, Michael Sohn.

The incumbent will focus on his "wonderful record of accomplishment, a record of independence," but he also is preparing for the unexpected, Sohn said.

"He can't rest on his laurels," Sohn said.

Something Shays must avoid is appearing too defensive during the debate, experts said. During a recent breakfast in Washington D.C., Shays snapped at reporters that they were damaging his credibility as he explained his evolving position on Iraq.

Rose said a similar tone from Shays would be "awful" in this debate. Greenberg said the incumbent must avoid appearing "like he doesn't like to be challenged. That could hurt him."

Despite holding office for nearly 20 years, it would help his image if Shays assumed voters were unaware of his record, Sherman said.

"He has to tell us about his record and not act like we should know or we should look it up," Sherman said. "He's clearly been in Congress a long time and there are people who like him. But he still has to inspire and motivate voters."

Still, the experts were divided as to how much the debates will affect the election.

"The debates will decide the election because it is that close," Rose said, while Greenberg said the high number of debates will negate their importance because "the voters will only be paying attention to a few of them."