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The Shays-Farrell slugfest
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| BRAD DURRELL, Perspective |
October 19, 2006 |
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Democrat Diane Farrell held up a recent Republican campaign mailer that showed a bio-hazard symbol next to an unflattering photo of her.
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Farrell was firing back at GOP U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays' claim that she is running a negative campaign and wouldn't be able to work with Republicans in Washington.
"I have put forward things; Chris just hasn't been listening," said Farrell, adding she worked well with Republicans during her eight years as Westport's first selectman.
Shays claimed Farrell didn't seek a third term in Westport because she would not have been re-elected, and that she pushed off a painful revaluation until her successor took office.
He said Westport has the highest taxes in the state, and that Farrell greatly increased spending and the town's debt during her tenure. Shays also pointed out he almost won Westport in their 2004 race for Congress.
Farrell said she was "aghast" at Shays' criticism of her record in Westport. She pointed out that she won re-election in 2001 with 71 percent of the vote and claimed a 2005 Republican poll showed she would have been victorious again if she had sought another term.
This exchange took place at last week's Shays-Farrell debate at Congregation B'nai Israel in Bridgeport. It was one of 11 debates in the closely watched race, and included Libertarian candidate Phil Maymin.
Maymin wants a smaller role in government, and conceded some of his ideas seem extreme (he would phase out the Social Security system and eliminate any federal role in transportation).
"I'm the only one saying maybe government is the problem and we should get rid of regulations," said Maymin, a Russian immigrant who is an impressive speaker but likely will get only 1 or 2 percent of votes in the district.
Those votes, of course, could make the difference in whether Shays or Farrell wins in a close contest.
Recent polls show the race to be a toss-up, but I would give the edge to Farrell right now. Shays has been a big supporter of the Iraq War, and that position - even if principled -may haunt him.
Both major party candidates have been highly critical of each other. The difference from the 2004 campaign is that Shays is being much more aggressive this time.
Two years ago, he remained mostly positive and allowed the race to be almost exclusively about his record in Congress since 1987. He almost lost. After that election, he vowed to make sure Farrell's record in public office received the same scrutiny as his.
Another difference from 2004 is that the Iraq War continues with no end in sight, and Republican President George W. Bush's popularity continues to decline.
Farrell wants the race to be about the war, Shays' support of the president and Republican leaders in Congress, and a need for change.
"With Shays, you don't get change but more of the same," she said.
"Let's get the problem solved - that's leadership," is a line Farrell uses a lot.
Shays stresses his independence and reputation for being a straight shooter, even if that often involves a few minutes of explanation.
"Leadership means telling the truth regardless of the consequences," he said. "You have a choice between answers and attacks."
Both candidates have pushed the envelope too far at times.
Shays was upset when U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, the Massachusetts liberal, came to the 4th District to campaign with Farrell and complained about the U.S. House page scandal involving now ex-Rep. Mark Foley, a Florida Republican.
In response, Shays alluded to the Chappaquiddick incident of 1969 and said at least Foley hadn't killed anyone. A woman died in Kennedy's car when he drove off a bridge into a pond in Chappaquiddick, Mass., and didn't report the incident to police for hours.
Farrell now is running a TV ad that highlights people who voted for Shays in the past and now plan to vote for her. No doubt, there are plenty of these people around due to the war.
But, of all the people she could select for the ad, it features Dennis Murphy of Bridgeport, who owes his current job to Stamford's Democratic mayor and is a Democratic State Central Committee member and civil union partner of Bridgeport's Democratic Town Committee chairman.
Murphy may or may not have quietly voted for Shays in the distant past, but I don't remember any public declarations. He's a strong Democrat, and the wrong person for the ad.
To add to the mystery, Farrell's campaign now is refusing to even release the names of the other people in the same ad. Makes you wonder.
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f the race is about the war and George W. Bush's policies, Farrell wins.
She said the country had the world's sympathy after 9/11, but Bush's do-it-alone approach and "stubbornness" have since alienated just about everyone. "We can't afford to not talk to people," she said.
She also said she thinks the Iraq War has emboldened the terrorists as well as Iran and North Korea. "Let's be honest," she said.
Shays strongly disagreed, calling the world a more dangerous place since the end of the Cold War. "We are world leaders and have obligations," he said.
He said America allowed itself to be attacked - with bombings of Marine barracks, embassies and ships, and even the first World Trade Center attack - without fighting back. "Finally we woke up," he said.
At the debate, the candidates also were asked about transportation, Social Security, energy policy and the environment. Farrell took a jab at Shays, complaining he has focused too much on foreign affairs.
Shays said he frequently travels to the Middle East - including Iraq- because that's where the world's attention is, with its oil, unrest and the need to build democracies and credible economies.
One slip by Farrell was insisting Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Last time I checked, Iraq - despite its flaws and a potential civil war - also is a democracy. Remember those fingers dipped in purple ink?
On Election night, Shays surely will lose Bridgeport big, but the overall race will be close. The final controversy in the campaign or the last national news story may decide the race. Both sides are nervous. Few people are placing bets on the outcome.
This column reflects the opinion of Brad Durrell and does not necessarily represent the views of Hometown Publications.
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©Hometown Publications 2006
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