Shays wants assurance of senior House post or it's time 'to move on'

Greenwich Time (Greenwich, CT) ^ | September 15, 2007 | David Lightman

[Stingray51]

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays is in line to be chairman of a big House committee.

But, he said yesterday, if his turn comes and he's denied that chance -- he's leaving Congress.

"I'm 61 years old; I've been in Congress 20 years," he said, talking quickly and emotionally during a brief interview. "If I have to fight to become chairman of a committee, given the job I've done, I need to move on."

.....

Shays said if it is clear that he won't get one of these top posts, he either won't run for Congress in 2008 or, if re-elected but then passed over for chairman or ranking Republican, would resign.

......

But yesterday, he vowed that he won't draw the ire of the leaders again, so he's talking to his colleagues, looking for support -- and threatening not to run for another term if it looks like he won't get the post he is seeking

....

Then there have some recent controversies. In July, Shays shouted obscenities at and touched the badge of a Capitol police officer. He quickly apologized for his behavior. Jim Himes, the Greenwich Democratic town chairman who is vying for Shays' seat, found the congressman's attitude strange.

.....

If Shays got re-elected, and then lost the committee's top spot, chairman or ranking Republican, "I would resign," he said.

.....

[Stingray51]

What a whining RINO wuss. (And by the way, who believes that this weasel would actually take his marbles, go home and get a real job?)

Hey Chris, don't let the door hit you on the way out!

[nonliberal]

Good riddance.

[goldstategop]

Chris Shays will be replaced by a Democrat. Every other Congresscritter from New England is a Dem. Hey Chris - there's a solution - just switch parties and you can have that committee chairmanship now!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Non-Sequitur]

Someone had better tell him that the GOP has to take back the House first.

[counterpunch]

GOP leadership should tell him flat out he’s not getting a senior post, and then start looking for a conservative to run for his seat in 2008.

[Shady]

This elitist attitude is precisely why we need to elect real conservatives and why we need term limits. Go home Chrissy!

[geezerwheezer]

But...but...if he doesn’t run and win, who will be nominated for “Dork of the House” award each year?

[Stingray51]

BTTT

[Enchante]

[SHAYS]: "I need to move on"

No argument here, Mr. RINO -- go ahead, move on, and don't let the door hit ya.....

[Dutch Boy]

Is it me or are the RINO’s leaving? Even few weeks it seems that a RINO announces he will not seek re-election pulls what Shays is pulling.

[BusterBear]

I think he has realized that he doesn’t have much of a future in the GOP. He could switch to Democrat, but then he would have to win a Democrat primary in 2008, which he probably would not be able to do.

[lowbridge]

I'm taking my ball and going home!

[MNJohnnie]

Bye Swish, don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out.

[RichInOC]

Door. Ass. Bang.

It's a privilege, Chris. Not a right.

[Master of Orion]

20 years? That’s 16 years too long. Get a real job, Chris.

[ChessExpert]

Which one is Chris?

[lowbridge]

Which one is Chris?

He's in the middle. The round thing filled with balloon juice.