The Connecticut Republican Party has started a new, weekly email called “The Republican Heard” to better inform Connecticut Republicans about the activities and events in progress at CTGOP.

The second edition of this new publication has just been distributed via email to recipients. While they are learning about all the exciting things going on at CTGOP, you are reading about them. Seems silly doesn’t it? Perhaps you should go to the CTGOP main website, scroll to the bottom of the page and on the left hand side (below the navigation column) put in your email address where it says (cleverly) “Sign Up for Updates”. Then you can start reading “The Republican Heard” too.

Today, Representative Chris Van Hollen from Maryland, the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), makes a campaign stop for Greenwich’s Jim Himes who plans on running to unseat Representative Chris Shays. The Democrats have their eye on the Fourth District for the upcoming congressional elections in 2008. This is the only Republican Congressional seat left in New England.

Last night, Van Hollen was in Manhattan for a $250 per person cocktail reception for Himes to bring in donations and this afternoon he is in Westport for a private luncheon costing $200 a plate. The DCCC has failed in the last two elections in taking over the Fourth district after Westport’s First Selectwoman, Diane Farrell, lost to Shays in 2004 and 2006.

Van Hollen hopes to capture this district and add Himes to the other new congressional rubber stamps, Representatives Courtney and Murphy. Like Courtney and Murphy, a “Representative Himes” will prove to be just another rubber stamp and “yes-man” that is a part of the “Do Nothing Congress.” Himes may want to rethink his run, however, because it seems that Congress is none too popular with the American people. A recent NRCC poll in 50 of the vulnerable Democrat controlled seats, only 35% of Americans would like their Democratic Congressman re-elected, and 50% prefer someone new in Congress.

The Democrats have only a few legislative achievements and have failed with the rest. They have gone back on the rhetoric of the 2006 campaign and are proving their own double standard. The American people and the people in the Fourth Congressional district do not need another rubber stamp in Congress to add to the failed leadership.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-himes4aug21,0,3645918.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines

http://nrcc.org/news/view_article.asp?ID=57

http://www.nrcc.org/pdf/DoNothingMemo.pdf

The Wilton Republican Town Committee featured my editorial on my internship with the Connecticut Republicans on its website.

I didn’t notice the post until now, but I thank the Wilton Republicans for the mention!

As my internship ends, I think the words I wrote in June are even more true now.

Happening now - Republican State Central Committee Member John Nazzaro of Stonington is soon to appear before the Judiciary Committee. Turn on CTN in your area to watch the confirmation hearing for Mr. Nazzaro.

AP story on Representative Belden with kind comments from Speaker Amann

Courant article with this quote: “former Gov. John G. Rowland said, “Dick Belden was a great friend for 25 years - from the first day I walked into the state legislature. He was unquestionably one of the most thoughtful, hard working, conscientious lawmakers in recent history. He was truly a `man of the House’ and had no greater ambitions than to serve his district.”

CT News Junkie

Stamford Advocate - Chairman Healy quoted: “Dick Belden was a gentleman and a gentle man and there are few who ever had a cross word with him,” Healy said. “He could work across party lines, be resolute in his beliefs and always took the time to counsel the next generation of leaders.”

Waterbury Republican-American

My Left Nutmeg blogger Maura with kind words: “May he rest in peace.”

As reported today in the New Haven Register, the memorial services for the “Dean of the House”, Representative Richard O. Belden, will be held at the end of the week.

The wake will take place from 5-8pm at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd, in Shelton.

Funeral services begin at 11am on Friday morning at St. Margaret Mary Church, 380 Long Hill Avenue, Shelton.

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, already under attack from fellow Democrats for [pick whichever attack seems fit to you] (1) his support of Senator Lieberman in the 2006 campaign, (2) gross incompetence and negligence, (3) creating bitter enemies from his vicious style, (4) corruption, or (5) political opportunism, is the subject of a twofer today in the Courant.

It appears that the Mayor’s aides have rallied around the leader, like pioneers rallying around George Donner. They claim that the Mayor had no influence in the retention of Costa as a city contractor, despite the fact that numerous reviews found fault with Costa’s work, mostly for his apparent inability to finish the work on time.

We also learned that the Mayor favored polished brass in his biscuit-colored bathroom - and that’s just the title of the article! While crafting what surely was a handsome la Salle de Bains, Mr. Perez thought that the contractor had ascertained the appropriate permits, while the contractor believed that Mr. Perez had taken care of them. Sadly, the “historic increase in building permits” touted as an accomplishment on Eddie Perez’s campaign website didn’t include a few keys ones from the Mayor himself. But, you know, when you are the Law, you need not live under it.

Be Encouraged Hartford, Change is Coming.