Chris Shays (R-CT) to run for U.S. Senate

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Former Rep. Chris Shays (R) will be challenging Linda McMahon for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2012. Shays survived the 2006 wave despite heavy targeting, but was defeated in 2008 due to strong Presidential-level turnout.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/shays_running_senate_connecticut-208086-1.html

[Vosem]

Mike Castle 2.0

EDIT: Apparently a poll shows Shays only two points behind Murphy (within the margin of error). That probably makes him ahead of Bysiewicz, who generally polls weaker than Murphy (again, within the margin of error). So says Wikipedia on its biographical of Shays, linking to this blog (http://blogs.courant.com/rick_green/2011/07/luntz-poll-the-real-bad-news-i.html).

[Heimdal]

Excellent news. Assuming McMahon doesn't win the primary, we can put forward a candidate fit for office.

[DrScholl]

If he's the nominee, it will end up being a 56-44 win for Murphy in the general.

[Brittain33]

McMahon is running again?!?!!

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

If he's the nominee, it will end up being a 56-44 win for Murphy in the general.

I don't think you can seriously argue that Shays would do worse than McMahon.

McMahon is running again?!?!!

That is what is being assumed by Connecticut Republicans, yes.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

If Ned Lamont would of won and Lieberman wasn't a spoiler candidate he would of been the incumbant. Now, we have to defend what should be a safe Democratic seat to another moderate republican. Chris Shays has an even chance or better of winning this seat.

[DrScholl]

I don't think you can seriously argue that Shays would do worse than McMahon.

That's not really worse than McMahon's number. In a Presidential year, I honestly don't see how he wins. At best, his number would be 54-46.

[tmthforu94]

I don't think you can seriously argue that Shays would do worse than McMahon.

That's not really worse than McMahon's number. In a Presidential year, I honestly don't see how he wins. At best, his number would be 54-46.

There are many instances that prove Presidential elections don't necessarily reflect Senatorial elections. Maine is a perfect example of this, as well as Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Arkansas, New Hampshire, etc.

[DrScholl]

There are many instances that prove Presidential elections don't necessarily reflect Senatorial elections. Maine is a perfect example of this, as well as Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Arkansas, New Hampshire, etc.

Maybe so, but I still don't see any compelling argument that Shays will win.

[Landslide Lyndon]

If Simmons couldn't survive a primary against a joke like McMahon, then I can't see how an even more moderate/liberal Republican can do it.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

If Simmons couldn't survive a primary against a joke like McMahon, then I can't see how an even more moderate/liberal Republican can do it.

Money.

Shays district is one of the wealthiest in the country, and he's got a lot of very strong corporate contacts from his time as a congressman. Not saying he'd win a primary, but he's a much stronger candidate than Simmons on most every level—especially seniority and ability to fundraise.

[Keystone Phil]

If Simmons couldn't survive a primary against a joke like McMahon, then I can't see how an even more moderate/liberal Republican can do it.

Money.

Shays district is one of the wealthiest in the country, and he's got a lot of very strong corporate contacts from his time as a congressman. Not saying he'd win a primary, but he's a much stronger candidate than Simmons on most every level—especially seniority and ability to fundraise.

It probably also hurt that Simmons effectively ended his campaign then resurrected it. What a joke move.

[Landslide Lyndon]

If Simmons couldn't survive a primary against a joke like McMahon, then I can't see how an even more moderate/liberal Republican can do it.

Money.

Shays district is one of the wealthiest in the country, and he's got a lot of very strong corporate contacts from his time as a congressman. Not saying he'd win a primary, but he's a much stronger candidate than Simmons on most every level—especially seniority and ability to fundraise.

It probably also hurt that Simmons effectively ended his campaign then resurrected it. What a joke move.

He suspended his campaign when he lost the Republican convention, which was expected to be a cakewalk for him.

[Keystone Phil]

If Simmons couldn't survive a primary against a joke like McMahon, then I can't see how an even more moderate/liberal Republican can do it.

Money.

Shays district is one of the wealthiest in the country, and he's got a lot of very strong corporate contacts from his time as a congressman. Not saying he'd win a primary, but he's a much stronger candidate than Simmons on most every level—especially seniority and ability to fundraise.

It probably also hurt that Simmons effectively ended his campaign then resurrected it. What a joke move.

He suspended his campaign when he lost the Republican convention, which was expected to be a cakewalk for him.

That doesn't mean he would have gotten demolished in the primary especially since I believe McMahon was beginning to show her...eh...colorful side more often.

[Landslide Lyndon]

If Simmons couldn't survive a primary against a joke like McMahon, then I can't see how an even more moderate/liberal Republican can do it.

Money.

Shays district is one of the wealthiest in the country, and he's got a lot of very strong corporate contacts from his time as a congressman. Not saying he'd win a primary, but he's a much stronger candidate than Simmons on most every level—especially seniority and ability to fundraise.

It probably also hurt that Simmons effectively ended his campaign then resurrected it. What a joke move.

He suspended his campaign when he lost the Republican convention, which was expected to be a cakewalk for him.

That doesn't mean he would have gotten demolished in the primary especially since I believe McMahon was beginning to show her...eh...colorful side more often.

Republicans were clearly in a mood for colorful candidates last year (Angle, O'Donnel, Buck, etc.).

[Keystone Phil]

I never said Simmons would have won. 

[Phony Moderate]

The Republicans need more people like Chris Shays.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I hope he wins, but I'm not hopeful. McMahon has all the money in the world to throw at the race. Shays will beat Simmon's performance for sure, but I assume he'll lose like Castle lost.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Shays hasn't actually lived in Connecticut in the past few years. He moved to St. Michaels, Maryland (a town on the Eastern Shore where Dick Cheney also maintains a residence), after he lost.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

I think his best bet is to form a "Connecticut for Shays" Party.  Sadly, he can't win the primary.

[Napoleon]

If Simmons couldn't survive a primary against a joke like McMahon, then I can't see how an even more moderate/liberal Republican can do it.

Money.

Shays district is one of the wealthiest in the country, and he's got a lot of very strong corporate contacts from his time as a congressman. Not saying he'd win a primary, but he's a much stronger candidate than Simmons on most every level—especially seniority and ability to fundraise.

It probably also hurt that Simmons effectively ended his campaign then resurrected it. What a joke move.

He suspended his campaign when he lost the Republican convention, which was expected to be a cakewalk for him.

No, no he wasn't.

[Napoleon]

I hope he wins, but I'm not hopeful. McMahon has all the money in the world to throw at the race. Shays will beat Simmon's performance for sure, but I assume he'll lose like Castle lost.

Castle had the full establishment backing, which wont be the case here. Im sure both What's and McMahon would have sizable party support and even without Healy at the helm I expect McMahon's money to win out. Not that it is that significant to put so much effort into losing to Chris Murphy, but you know how it goes.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Connecticut, like a number of other states, has a system where candidates for election can be nominated by more than one party.

In 2010, the Democratic nominee for Governor received 540,970 votes on the Democratic line and 26,308 as the Working Families candidate, thereby outpolling the Republican nominee who received 560,874 votes.  Without the votes as the Working Families nominee, the Democratic candidate would NOT have had a plurality!

This circumstance has given the left in Connecticut considerable political clout.

It has been suggested that conservatives in Connecticut may follow a similar path.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

I for one welcome Senator Murphy.