Greenwich Roundup: 09/19/08 Greenwich Politics: Pelosi stumps for Himes, talks middle class struggles

Friday, September 19, 2008

09/19/08 Greenwich Politics: Pelosi stumps for Himes, talks middle class struggles

Nancy Pelosi came out to support Jim Himes in his race against U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays. Susanne Gonzalez, right, and her husband Richard played host to the event. —

(Ken Borsuk / Greenwich Post photo)

QUOTE:

“I think people see a sense of urgency that they may not have been fully aware of two years ago,” Nancy Pelosi said. “The American people are always optimistic and hopeful that some good thing can happen, but it isn’t happening.”

THE STORY:

Cos Cob resident Jim Himes’ campaign to unseat longtime incumbent Rep. Christopher Shays (R-4th) got a boost this past weekend from one of the most powerful Democrats in the country, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Ms. Pelosi, who represents the 8th District in California and was elected speaker in 2007, said that Mr. Himes’ election is a “high priority” not only because the Democrats wanted another seat in the Congress, but also because of the quality of the leadership he would bring. Ms. Pelosi previously made an appearance in 2006 for Democratic candidate Diane Farrell, who lost in a close race to Mr. Shays....

...Ms. Pelosi said when Congress discussed the concerns of America’s families, they were talking about families like the Gonzalezes “sitting around a table asking how they’re going to make ends meet and pay for health care that Chloe so desperately needs and the family should have.”

Ms. Pelosi said Mr. Shays’ comments were “almost unbelievable” and repeated a claim she made four years ago when campaigning for Ms. Farrell by calling Mr. Shays’ “an enabler for President Bush” and his policies....

....“My opponent is pointing to growth rate when he says the economy is fundamentally strong and he forgets to mention that for years now American growth has not been shared,” Mr. Himes said on Saturday. “It has done well by the very top of our society, but it has not made it in to the vast bulk of living rooms and kitchens in the United States of America and in the 4th Congressional District.”

State Senator Andrew McDonald (D-27), a Himes supporter, is a longtime friend of the family’s and he helped arrange the appearance. Mr. Gonzalez joked that Ms. Pelosi’s visit was his “15 minutes of fame” and said the family was honored to meet her and have her hear their story.

“It’s not every day that you get to meet someone of her stature,” Mr. Gonzalez said.