Former Stamford GOP Chairman Dan McCabe, delegate to the party convention in May, was one of the very few people in the audience tonight at Borders Books on High Ridge Road listening to author Irv Muchnick discuss his book about the high-profile 2007 death of World Wrestling Entertainment performer Chris Benoit.
Muchnick of California has for months been nipping at Stamford-based WWE co-founder Linda McMahon’s heels as she runs her aggressive, self-funded campaign for U.S. Senate.
The company and campaign, which have ignored the author, hoping the public will do the same, will be pleased to learn that book signings by WWE talent like former superstar The Rock at the same Borders were far and above more popular than Muchnick’s. His appearance drew nine folks.
(A tenth woman was standing for quite some time listening to Muchnick, but when I approached her for a comment she told me in broken English that the author was blocking access to one of the shelves. “I can’t get at a book,” she said.)
But McCabe’s appearance I’m sure will not be ignored by McMahon or former U.S. Congressman Rob Simmons, who is fighting tooth and nail to turn WWE into her albatross and win the GOP Senate nomination instead.
In my full report on the Muchnick event McCabe, a very nice, thoughtful man to talk with, admitted he is torn between Simmons and McMahon.
He said he wants the party to put forward the best candidate possible and needs to be comfortable that WWE will not prove a “distraction” as Republicans seek to defeat likely Democratic Senate nominee Richard Blumenthal.
McCabe said as a delegate he feels responsible to read Muchnick’s book.
“We cannot stumble coming out of the box,” he said, arguing in the current political climate the party has a chance of beating Blumenthal. “We have to do everything right.”
But McCabe also said he has more concerns than just WWE. He said he was a likely Simmons’ backer until he learned the former Congressman is pro-choice while McMahon at least supports banning partial birth abortion and requiring minors notify parents before obtaining an abortion.
“Quite frankly I was probably leaning his (Simmons’) way,” McCabe said.
Okay campaigns. You’ve heard why McCabe is undecided. On your mark. Get set. HEAD TO YOUR PHONES!!!
And those of you who missed Muchnick in Stamford have another chance Saturday at 1 p.m. when he visits the Borders next to the West Farms Mall in Farmington.
A delegate is a delegate.
Why would either Candidate bother to call Dan McCabe? When he was Chairman of the GOP he turned Stamford into a one Party City. He was a poor leader who was unable to get any Republican candidates elected!!