Wait, who’s the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate?

Unaffiliated voters, meet Linda McMahon.

Some of you may have heard she’s the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.

Don’t be fooled.

You haven’t seen her latest campaign mailer, directed right at you.

The term “Republican” appears once, and even then as almost an afterthought.

“Linda wants to go to Washington and work with Independents, Democrats and Republicans to find common ground on important issues…”

I’m sure Republicans are grateful they’re listed third ;)

When she names Senators she’d emulate, there’s no mention of party affiliation, either.

“She will lead in the tradition of respected independent leaders like Senator Joe Lieberman (the self-described independent Democrat who backed a Republican for president in 2008 and whose retirement gave Linda an opening for this second run for U.S. Senate), Senator Susan Collins (a Maine Republican), Senator Scott Brown (a Massachusetts Republican) and others who buck the party line and do what is best for the country.”

McMahon successfully petitioned her way on to the November ballot as the Independent Party candidate, allowing her to also state in the mailer that she “is the Independent Choice for the U.S. Senate.” (Although, frankly, she was also the only game in town for a third party trying to remain relevant in Connecticut politics).

The mailer – which you can view in the photos below – really is something.

GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola hadn’t seen it when I phoned him. But when I read Labriola the contents he called McMahon “a stalwart Republican” who has been very supportive of the party, its candidates and the fundamental Republican principal of fiscal responsibility.

“It’s no surprise to me,” Labriola said. ““We have a long tradition of Yankee Republicans who have shown an independent streak while at the same time voting in a pro growth, fiscally responsible manner and putting the interests of Connecticut at the forefront.”

McMahon actually beat one in August’s GOP primary – ex-U.S. Rep. Chris Shays.

I’m sure some of her fellow Republicans may cringe when they learn McMahon is promising to “buck the party line.” But the smart ones know whether she means it or not, McMahon needs the support of unaffiliated voters to win in blue Connecticut. And they can take comfort knowing at the end of the day she still has that “R” next to her name.

Here’s the mailer, in four parts:

Front

Inside Left

Inside Right

Back


Brian Lockhart