We put U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., on the spot Friday about President Obama’s September fundraising trip to Connecticut.
“The president is always welcome in Fairfield County,” Himes said to Hearst Connecticut Newspapers via e-mail.
Himes’ comment is 180-degrees from a warning to Obama not to come here by former Connecticut Democratic Party Chairman John Droney, who suggested that the visit could be a liability for the candidates during a taping of the WFSB-Channel 3 Sunday talk show “Face the State.”
But Himes did not say whether he will be at Obama’s side for the upcoming fundraiser, which a Himes aide might conflict with the congressional vote schedule.
State Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Conn., who is challenging the freshman Himes, is hoping to feast on the issue.
“Here he goes again…hypocrite Jim Himes shrugging off the very coattails he rode to Washington,” Debicella spokesman Ashley Maagero said in a statement. “It’s no surprise that Himes is running from the Washington failures he’s rubber stamped for the last two years. Unemployment is still floating around 10% and Fairfield County residents know Himes is part of the problem, regardless of how creatively he tries to duck it. The voters deserve better.”