what's the latest on Shays-Farrell?

[CTyankee]

First, the reference to Chappy then the Abu Ghraib torture being porn. I'm guessing that things are getting pretty rough for Shays. What are the poll numbers?

[NewJeffCT]

1. I've seen widely divergent polls on this race

One had Shays up 6 or 7 , another had Farrell up 8.

[CTyankee]

2. Do you think it's the closeness of the race that has Shays so

unhinged lately? I've followed his career for years now and have never heard him act like such an asshole before.

[NewJeffCT]

3. I honestly don't know

Since he has an R next to his name, I've always wanted him voted out... but, he's always seemed one of the decent Rs until this past week. Even seemed pretty soft-spoken on most things.

[CTyankee]

4. I'll check with some of my political friends who

are in touch with his office. I'll post what I hear from them.

BTW, in tomorrow's NY Times there is a piece in the Connecticut section entitled "The American Lamonts" which explores the rich history of Ned's family stretching back to the 1600s. It is a wonderful OpEd article. I'll try to get a link tomorrow (I had no luck online today). DU folks who don't get the NY Times should read it. It probably won't make any difference in the campaign but it's nice to read anyway.

Since I'll be in Rome on Election Day I am voting at City Hall this coming week. It's not far from Ned's NH headquarters so I'll go phone for him again. I feel bad because I can't sit at a desk and phone for more than 1 1/2 hours at a time. I get too antsy. So I keep making extra trips...

[NewJeffCT]

6. Should be an interesting difference

The NY Times article should be an interesting contrast to the Waterbury Republican-American's hatchet job on Lamont being from a family of (I kid you not) pinko Commies. Yes, back to the era of McCarthy & Red Scares for them folks from Waterbury. Anybody who wonders why Tom Swan later made those comments on Waterbury?

[connecticut yankee]

9. on Lucianne.com

they always refer to him as "the Commie."

[CTyankee]

5. I heard back from my buddy who does gov. rel. work at Planned Parenthood

and is often in touch with Shays office. She thinks we're right that the closeness of the campaign is making Shays crazy. She says that from what she hears the race is too close to call. I guess after all these years of sailing into victory he is in a real fight. Good.

I like Diane Farrell. We would do well to watch her. If she wins, her star will rise nationally. I'd put money on it. She is smart and tough (also good looking and that doesn't hurt). And she's strongly prochoice and says so.

[NewJeffCT]

7. That's good to hear

I just responded to you above... but, the first time I heard Diane Farrell on radio, I was not too impressed. She just spouted off talking points and did not really do any spontaneous talking. The last few times, however, I was very impressed... she seemed much more relaxed, spoke naturally, etc. I guess she was just having a bad day that first time.

[CTyankee]

8. Remember Bill Clinton's speech at the convention of ????

It was in San Francisco and he went on and on and was finally booed off the stage. Of course, later he became a spellbinding speaker and it was so incredible. I couldn't believe it!

I think it takes a while for really good people to develop their speaking style. I'm rooting for Diane. I think she's got a future. (You heard it here from me!)