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Mark Ginocchio of the Stamford Advocate has a piece today focusing on Mike Richter's decision not to run against Chris Shays, which we reported here three days ago.
Ginoccio gets a new player on the record about his interest in testing the waters (or ice -- I can't let go of the hockey analogies!):
State Democrats have received several inquiries from people who want to run against Shays. Shays beat former Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell last year and is the only Republican congressman in New England.
State Rep. James Shapiro, D-Stamford, and Jim Himes, Greenwich Democratic Town Committee chairman, have shown interest in running for the congressional seat.
"I am considering it, and I have had conversations with a number of people within the party, but I have made no decision," Shapiro said. "It's still very early in the process."
 Jim Shapiro is a talented and energetic state rep from Stamford. Prior to his election in 2004, Jim served for seven years on the Stamford Board of Representatives. A Stamford native, Jim attended Stamford Public Schools from K-12, Yale University, and Vanderbilt School of Law.
Jim Shapiro hung out with a small group of bloggers on Wednesday night up at the Capitol, where we were treated to a tour and enjoyed some great conversations in the Democratic caucus room and later at a local pub. Jim and I spoke at length about the race in the 4th, and while I know he is still in the decisionmaking process, I'm enthusiastic about the depth of talent here in the 4th. I can forgive Shapiro from having Westhill rather than Stamford High as an alma mater (thought Black Knights still rule, my friend) and I am really impressed with Shapiro's commitment to affordable housing and civil liberties issues. Like Jim Himes, Jim Shapiro also has an appreciation for the potential for blogs to invigorate "small d" democracy and bring more people into the democratic process.
Overall, this was a great article, but I was once again stunned by the shallow hackery of people who are considered political "experts" here in Connecticut:
One political observer said Richter's exit from the race could be a major blow for Democrats.
"He had some star power," said Gary Rose, professor of politics at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. "With some of these other names, it's almost like we've been there before. People come up through the ranks, but they lack the sparkle you need to unseat a congressman."
Seriously. Sparkle? Would Gary "Glitter" Rose like it better if Jim Himes wore a feather boa and Jim Shapiro sported sequins? (Assignment for Photoshoppers out there: an illustration of our own Gary Glitter.)
It would make Rose's life more interesting if a B List celebrity was coaxed into a flashbulb matchup against Shays, but voters aren't that shallow. Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney were hardly glamorous, but they impressed voters with their competence and commitment to good governance. Both Jim Himes and Jim Shapiro have strong resumes and a decency, integrity, and commitment to the common good that is more valuable in politics than celebrity. And as we saw with Ned Lamont, a great candidate with grassroots credibility creates his own "star power".
 Jim Himes also got some good press here:
Himes has criticized Shays' support of the Iraq war and his lack of oversight of the Bush administration, and he said the problems do not end there.
"We haven't had a discussion about things that really matter in this district, like health care and transportation," Himes said.
No date has been set for Himes to enter the race, but "it has to be soon so we can begin the process of raising money," he said.
He hopes his candidacy could help mend the split in the party since Ned Lamont defeated U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Lieberman then ran as an independent and kept his seat.
This is the second time Himes has been quoted in the media recognizing the real need for Democratic unity after last year's primaries. And while I sense that there is no strong appetite for another primary here in the fourth, I'm proud that yet another strong potential candidate is emerging. Previous news reports implied that we were scraping the barrel for B-list celebs here in the 4th because no other great candidates were available, but the emergence of Himes and Shapiro demonstrates otherwise.
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