Yesterday U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy's campaign manager, Kenny Curran, dismissed Republican Sam Caligiuri as someone who hasn't been able to gain any traction with party big wigs in DC.
Not true, says Greg Blair, deputy press secretary of the National Republican Congressional Committee. "Absolutely he has buzz,'' Blair said. "Murphy's brand is extremely damaged because of his votes on health care and wall street bailouts...and Caligiuri is proving himself to be very competitive here. Murphy's empty attacks are only proving that he's feeling the heat.''
Blair said the NRCC is heartened by trends in both CT-5 and CT-4. "Connecticut is taking a turn here,'' he said. "These races are moving up on the radar bsed on the strength of our candidates and how much Murphy and Himes are damaged.''
Does that mean the NRCC is ready to start writing checks on Caligiuri and Himes' opponent Dan Debicella's behalf? Blair wouldn't comment.
Blair also questioned the Murphy campaign's rejection of Caligiuri's internal polling, which shows the race essentially even.
"If he's got a poll that shows Caligiuri's is wrong, where is it?'' Blair asked.