Mr. Himes Goes to Washington for Crash Course for Candidates
HIMES
Norwalk Hour
Erin Kutz
Boston University Washington News Service
February 29, 2008
WASHINGTON –Democrats welcomed Jim Himes and other congressional hopefuls to Washington this week for a two-day crash course in policy formation, networking and responding to third party attack ads that plague the later days of elections.
The training is aimed at widening the Democrats’ congressional majority in November. Himes compared the attempt to strengthen a troop of challengers to the nation’s desire for change—a popular buzzword in the Democratic presidential primary.
“I did get charged by the level of energy, excitement and optimism,” Himes said while waiting for a train at Washington’s Union Station on Thursday. “It’s just so clear that Americans around the country are going to be voting for change.”
Himes, who is running against Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, did say the desperation for reform has a “dark underbelly” because it is spurred by the public’s pressing concern over economic disarray and the war in Iraq.
The retreat drew challengers – around two dozen by Himes’ count – from the most high-profile House races in the nation, including districts in Illinois, West Virginia, Colorado, Washington and Florida, said Carrie James, northeast regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which sponsored the training.
“It’s not all-encompassing, but yes, these are races where we believe we have strong candidates,” she said.
The retreat included training in how to respond to attacks by 527 groups, so-called for the section of the U.S. tax code that covers them. Himes said that the committee cautioned the candidates against giving the groups something to feed on, noting that the guidance was a “constructive and positive thing.”
“It’s an area where everybody could improve,” he added, saying that he expects the ads to come his way. “The Republicans have so bungled the management of the country that they certainly are not going to run on the issues. They have to run on personal attacks.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee hosts programs that guide incumbents on how to respond to attack ads and “candidate schools” for challengers, said spokeswoman Julie Shutley. She said the offerings are available to anyone who wishes to participate.
For the Democratic training, Himes said he and the other candidates also received guidance on issues and developing solutions to constituent concerns. “All of us are running because they are so many challenges that require thoughtful new solutions,” he said. “But sometimes the process of campaigning can get in the way of forming those solutions.”
Though Himes has more than a decade of experience at Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs, he said he welcomed the party guidance on current economic problems, calling it “a good refresher course.”
Shutley discounted how much the sessions would help Himes.
“Himes is welcome to receive as much guidance and as much training as he needs, but that doesn’t come close to meaning he will be able to stand up to the record Chris Shays has,” she said.
Though the crop of challengers met with a host of members and grassroots organizations alike, Himes said a speech delivered by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) on Iraq’s need for diplomacy rather than a surge in U.S. troops was particularly inspiring. Murphy is the first and only member of Congress to have served in Iraq.
“When a politician gets up there and shakes his fist at the war, that’s one thing,” Himes said, adding that when a “young veteran” says the nation can’t stay the course, it’s “very meaningful.”
He did note that the broad community support he’s received from voters makes his race more significant than a clash between Democrats and Republicans.
“There’s a sense this isn’t about politics this year, but a return to a sense of responsibilities and fundamental American values,” he said. “It changes it from a political activity to something a bit nobler.”
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