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Chris Murphy 2008
Oct 26, 11:46 AM
Meriden Record Journal E2
Recent Record-Journal editorial board meetings with Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional district candidates Democrat Christopher S. Murphy (incumbent) and Republican challenger/State senator from Danbury, David J. Cappiello, have proven productive in gleaning insight into each candidate’s perspective on matters local, national and international. (Also on the ballot Nov. 4 is Harold H. Burbank II, a constitutional attorney from Canton running on the Green Party ticket, and Thomas L. Winn, a retired physician’s assistant from Watertown, the Independent Party nominee.)
On local concerns in the Fifth district which are center on radar screens of both area voters and city/town officials, Murphy’s command of topics, needs, urgencies and ability to communicate effectively with essential personnel linked to all areas of government — local, state and federal — is as impressive as it is articulate.
In Meriden, for example, Murphy’s specific knowledge of the pressing demand for effective long-term flood control, downtown revitalization and transportation development (to name a few) is extensive. His well-reasoned stance on appropriate development and improvement of the basic needs of area residents has been much in evidence during his first 2-year Congressional stint. (Mayor Mike Rohde, in a recent RJ editorial board interview, spoke favorably concerning Murphy’s congenial working relationship and ease of communication with local and state officials — attributes of considerable importance when facilitating projects or policy advancement.)
By contrast, Cappiello, though willing to learn about local concerns if elected, appears detached from matters specific to this readership area but is, understandably, focused on matters affecting Connecticut on government’s larger canvas. That he could not offer more than a vague mention of Meriden’s flood control issue (coupled to a non-specific bouquet of generalities affecting most state municipalities) does not diminish his political standing as a state senator, but may be indicative of that which residents may witness from a Congressman expected to advocate from the bottom up on Capitol Hill.
Cappiello carps about Murphy’s yes vote on the recent $700 billion bailout. The decision, made by the House of Representative, Senate and Bush administration, has been a lightning rod for critical public discourse by those justifiably concerned about the magnitude and complexity of the problem but who, like Murphy, were not faced at the moment with the press to get something accomplished beyond sniping in the face of a threatened financial meltdown.
Another talking point of Cappiello’s campaign is Murphy’s taking special interest campaign contributions after Murphy derided his predecessor in the previous race, Republican Nancy Johnson, for similar practice. Fair enough — but Cappiello, too, is indulging in the same, even as Murphy makes clear that his intention is to work efficiently within the existing rules while attempting, over time, to bring about needed reform within a system perceived to be corrupt and politically tainted.
Murphy serves on the finance services and oversight and government reform committees. While not exonerated from the foibles of political webs, Murphy receives credit for his straight-forward disclosure and determination to improve the system as he finds it, not as inherited. Though Cappiello makes a valid point that Murphy, as incumbent, should set the example by refusing special interest money in order to make an inspired public statement, we’d argue that the onus is equally upon the challenger to establish credibility in this contentious debate.
Cappiello had previously vowed that he wasn’t adverse to going against his own Republican Party when deemed necessary. When asked at the editorial board meeting in what ways Cappiello differs from that which is being advanced by the Republican Mc Cain/Palin presidential platform, the most Cappiello could offer, even under repeated questioning along this line, was Mc Cain’s stance on immigration — a distant ember, it seems, of a once-burning political fire. With no other comment to proffer, Cappiello’s walk along the Republican’s bridge to nowhere would appear to be firmly guided by the GOP’s map of more-of-the-sameness.
A more exhaustive list of the Murphy/Cappiello debate can be culled by paying visits to each candidate’s website and, of course, by watching debates and reading commentaries which detail that which is espoused.
An amenable relationship between Murphy and area voters has been strengthened during his two years in Congress thus far. It’s not surprising to see him on a regular basis at all manner of local events and in the mainstream of everyday Connecticut residents’ lives. His calm, thoughtful and sincere nature rings true with his constituency. Without reservation, and with a good measure of well-placed confidence, we endorse Democrat incumbent Chris Murphy for another term in Congress.
