The New York Times story about Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal's misrepresentation of his military record helped shape the GOP convention in several ways.
Several delegates said the story helped shift support to Republican Linda McMahon, who has openly taken credit for providing "research" to the Times.
"It reinforced to people that she has the fire in the belly to go out and get that seat,'' said Moira Wertheimer, a delegate from Simsbury. "I think it tipped the balance for people were undecided."
But other Republicans said disclosures that Blumenthal misled audiences about his military record also helped convince Republican Rob Simmons, the former congressman and decorated military vet, to push for a primary, even though some party insiders are counseling against it. Simmons came up short at Friday night's nominating convention.
If Blumenthal's integrity and character are now going to be central themes in the race, McMahon, a political newbie who was formerly the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and has withstood intense criticism about the company's sexually explicit and violent content, is not the best candidate to make the case, Simmons supporters say.
"McMahon, like Blumenthal, is an untested candidate who voters know next to nothing about,'' said Simmons' spokesman Raj Shah by e-mail today. "Given the array of disturbing revelations and unanswered questions about her candidacy, the best thing Rob Simmons can do for the Republican primary is offer them a strong alternative."