Conn. Republican Says He Offers Best of Both Obama, McCain

Brad Haynes reports on House races. Another Republican incumbent running to keep his seat in Congress is linking himself to both Barack Obama and John McCain in a television ad. A spot airing in Chris Shays ’s Connecticut district opens with an image of Obama and the word “HOPE,” saying the congressman possesses “the hopefulness of Obama.” The ad then flashes an image of McCain and says Shays also possesses “the straight talk of McCain.” Shays represents the only Republican held seat in New England after a Democratic wave in 2006 unseated five Republicans in the five most northeastern states. Shays faces a strong challenge from businessman Jim Himes in November; both candidates have raised more than $2 million dollars for the race. Shays is strongly aligned with McCain—the two men were the lead Republican sponsors in the House and Senate of legislation to overhaul campaign finance laws. In June, Republican Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon began airing an ad  ... (link)