From Brian Lockhart’s Political Capitol blog….
According to a Democratic source, mogul Russell Simmons, labeled by music channel VH1 as “the most important businessman in the history of rap music,” will host President Barack Obama’s rally in Bridgeport on Saturday.
The politically active Simmons famously took some time to decide to publicly endorse candidate-Obama in 2008.
This will be President Obama’s third appearance in Connecticut over the past year, and his second since late September.
The president visited the state in October, 2009 to stump for the embattled U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, who ultimately decided to retire earlier this year after a 30-year career.
Obama was in Stamford in late September as the guest at a pricey fundraiser for the Democrat hoping to succeed Dodd – state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal – who is facing tough, self-financed Republican opponent Linda McMahon.
Saturday’s rally is intended to boost freshman U.S. Rep. Jim Himes’ prospects for re-election Tuesday. Himes is battling former Republican state Sen. Dan Debicella ,and Himes’ 2008 victory has been credited by some to turn-out in Bridgeport, which was attributed to Obama’s popularity.
The free Obama rally begins at 2 p.m. at The Arena at Harbor Yard. Doors open at 1 p.m.
Blumenthal has said he plans to be there.
This is a busy weekend for Harbor Yard. On Tuesday night the venue hosts World Wrestling Entertainment’s Smackdown.
McMahon is the former CEO of WWE. Democrats allege her husband Vince, the company’s chairman, purposefully scheduled Smackdown for Election Night to boost support for Linda and cause hassles for voters trying to head to the polls in the heavily-Democratic Bridgeport. WWE has denied the charge.
I can’t end this blog post without noting Simmons teamed with WWE’s voter outreach initiative a few years back.
Blumenthal and his supporters have been highly critical of how the McMahons have run WWE and of the sexual and violent content of some of the company’s programming.
The McMahons have countered it is hypocritical for Democrats to bash WWE when so many, Obama included, have used the company as a platform to reach out to young voters.
“…I am proud as hell of what we have accomplished…
…I stand behind what we have done and what we have voted for…
…I stand behind what this president and this congress has been able to do…
…I am proud as hell, not just on the economy…
…I am proud as hell…I’m just proud as hell.” – Jim Himes
Jim Himes voted in favor of the $787 billion dollar stimulus plan. After saddling your family with over ten thousand dollars in additional debt, we still have a ten percent unemployment rate.
Himes voted the healthcare bill into law, a law which is already projected to cost more than was advertised.
Himes voted to increase our national debt by a record $1.9 trillion dollars, bringing our total debt to a new high of $12.4 trillion dollars.
Himes voted with Nancy Pelosi-led Democrats 95% of the time.
After two years of votes that create too few jobs but too big a role for government, most voters in Fairfield County disagree with each of these votes. Two-thirds of these voters think that Washington is on the wrong track. If you want more of the same, then there is an incumbent congressman who is “proud as hell” of our current direction, but if you think that there is a better way, then you should know that Dan Debicella ( http://www.debicella.com ) thinks so too. If you would like to help Dan get across his message of free enterprise and individual liberty, than you can do so here: https://debicella.blue-swarm.com/donate . Please give what you can because Fairfield County deserves better.
Comment by ccdemuth — October 28th, 2010 @ 7:44 am
It’s going to be a Deaf Jam! However, if won’t be like one story that seems to be falling on Deaf Ears!!
Comment by Tom Kelly — October 28th, 2010 @ 12:54 pm