Experience.  Been there done that.  Trained and tested.  Demonstrated record of achievement and proven ability to provide direction in a changing environment.  Position papers and issue statements are important, but when crisis arise we need experience.  This is what the Republican Party brings to the November election.

John McCain began his career as a Naval Aviator serving his country in Vietnam.  This experience tested his character and showed that he is made of better stuff.  In 1982 he entered politics and served two terms as a Representative from Arizona, followed by four terms as a US Senator.   McCain’s Congressional experience made him a bi-partisan change agent working to reform campaign finance and pork barrel spending.  He has served on the Armed Services committee and chaired the Commerce Committee.  McCain’s bipartisan experience has caused him to lead efforts representing all voters.  He has led legislative efforts toward winning the war in Iraq, homeland security, managing greenhouse gasses, limiting unproductive filibusters, immigration reform, and taxes.    Over a quarter century of fighting for all of us in Washington have given McCain the experience to lead.

Chris Shays has represented Fairfield County in the US House of Representatives for over twenty years.  Like McCain, Chris’s experience leads him to represent all voters and not simply a party line.  On social issues Chris favors pro-choice, gun control, and gay rights. He is also a fiscal conservative and advocate for strong national defense.  He has served on the House Oversight and Government Reform, Financial Services and Homeland Security Committees.   Like McCain he was worked to eliminate Washington corruption through campaign finance reform.

On the State level, nothing is more important to Ridgefield’s voters than electing John Frey as Ridgefield’s State Representative, and Toni Boucher to the State Senate.  John has represented Ridgefield for over a decade, while Toni, represented Wilton for a dozen years.  Both have the experience to move Connecticut forward by fighting for lower taxes and reduced regulations.  For years Democrats have controlled the Connecticut legislature and have worked to increase taxes and regulations in an effort to siphon money from small towns like Ridgefield for urban constituents.  As minority party representatives, John and Toni had to gain bi-partisan support to block tax increases last year.  Having served on Wilton’s school board, on the state board of education and on the education committee of the legislature, Toni understands how Hartford’s continuing stream of mandates degrades education.  Both John and Toni have established great relationships and credibility with the Governor’s Office, state agencies and the other side of the isle that help our town. They have worked hard and attained leadership postions that also give us more clout. There is no question that both John and Toni have the experience to fight to improve Connecticut by getting Hartford off our backs and out of our wallets.

McCain, Shays, Boucher and Frey are tried and tested demonstrated bi-partisan leaders able to take us forward in a rapidly changing world environment.
James Carroll
Chairman,  RRTC
chairman  (at) ridgefieldgop.org