For Immediate Release

Contact: Chris Healy 860-826-7378

June 29, 2010

Blumenthal Must Pick : Candidate or Litigator?

Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy Tuesday said it was time for Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to choose between his day job and running for U.S. Senate.

“It is clear that Dick Blumenthal wants the taxpayers to subsidize his campaign strategy, thereby hiding from reporters and voters with legitimate questions on his policy positions and record, while issuing press releases from his AG’s office to sue entities that suit politically,” Healy said. “If you notice, many of these suits provide him with national and state media exposure.”

“A series of missteps, evasions of his record and bad publicity has caused Blumenthal to hunker down in his office, rarely appearing before microphones after nearly 20 years of being a ubiquitous media machine.

“Dick Blumenthal is now in a taxpayer financed secure location,” said Healy. “If he wants to be the U.S. Senator for Connecticut, he should step out in the light and make his case, not pretend that his work is so important that the professional staff at his office couldn’t cover for him.”

Healy noted that Linda McMahon stepped down from her position as Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment, in part, because of the full commitment she has made to meeting voters and offering her positions.

“It is fair to suggest that every time the Attorney General’s media machine kicks in from its perch, one should ask whether it’s for the betterment of Connecticut or Dick Blumenthal’s Senate campaign?” said Healy.  “Dick Blumenthal should leave no doubt about this conflict and either step down or respond to questions from voters – who pay his salary – and his opponents.”

“If nothing else, Dick Blumenthal should quit hiding and man up,” said Healy. “Being a Senator is more than posing in front of flags and waving to an audience of onlookers and then scooting into a waiting car. It’s about telling the voters what you will do about the deficit, the war on terror and jobs.”

Healy said every action taken by the Attorney General and his office must be seen in a political context, and that his opponents should be given equal time by the news media to respond.

“It is fair to suggest that every time the Attorney General’s media machine kicks in from its perch, one should ask whether it’s for the betterment of Connecticut or Dick Blumenthal’s Senate campaign?” said Healy.  “Dick Blumenthal should leave no doubt about this conflict and either step down or allow his opponents the ability to respond at his office.”

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