08/09/08 PRESS RELEASE: Himes Calls Shays Solution a Gimmick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2008 Contact: Michael Sachse, 646 265-0556, Michael@HimesforCongress.com HIMES CALLS SHAYS SOLUTION A GIMMICK Democratic candidate says Republican has had 20 years to solve energy crisis BRIDGEPORT, CT - Today, 11-term Congressman Chris Shays joined former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and some of the most conservative Republican partisans in Congress in a political gimmick that will take 20 years to deliver results - almost as long as Shays has been in Congress. Shays, who has praised high gas prices in the past, joined the protest despite the fact that Republicans have voted against 13 Democratic energy bills this session. Jim Himes issued the following statement in response: "Real leadership means addressing a problem before the polls tell you we're at a crisis point," said Democratic Congressional candidate Jim Himes. "Chris Shays thinks that raising gas taxes is a good idea, and that high gas prices are a good thing. Now he tells us a gimmick that won't help with gas prices for 20 years is the answer. I think our families need lower gas costs and real energy solutions right now. " "This stunt demonstrates that on high gas prices, as with so many other important issues, Chris Shays has lost touch with Connecticut and is in the dark," said Himes campaign manager Maura Keaney. "Chris Shays thinks people want higher gas taxes and that high energy costs are good. Now that he has finally seen how much gas prices are hurting our families he is offering a solution that won't work. Chris Shays has had his opportunity to address our energy crisis, but he's failed. It's time for new leadership in Congress, and Jim Himes will provide that leadership." Background: - Chris Shays supports increased gas taxes. (New Haven Independent, 2/26/08.) - At a "Transportation and the 21st Century" forum held in Westport on June 16, 2006, Shays said, "The irony of our high energy prices is that a lot of good things will come from it, even though we never should have gotten ourselves to this position." - The U.S. Department of Energy says that off-shore drilling would not have a "significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices" for almost 20 years. http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/otheranalysis/ongr.html

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