A day after a leading national Democrat endorsed her opponent, Susan Bysiewicz says she's happy to play the role of the Washington outsider in her run for U-S Senate. As WNPR's Jeff Cohen reports, Bysiewicz held a conference call to talk about her policy priorities and some political strategy.
Bysiewicz, Connecticut's former secretary of the state, is one of several Democrats running to fill the seat currently held by Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman. The election is next fall, and one of Bysiewicz's opponents is U-S Representative Chris Murphy -- who, so far, has raised significantly more money than Bysiewicz has.
And his political advantage grew earlier this week. The newspaper Roll Call reported that Murphy got the endorsement of Washington state Senator Patty Murray -- head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
But Bysiewicz who has spent the better part of two decades in elected office, says she's happy to be the non-establishment candidate.
"I've never been the insider favorite. I say my opponent is the favorite of K Street and that my supporters are on Main Street. And I'm very pleased to have the support of thousands and thousands of people in Connecticut. That's what important to me. The Washington special interests are not important to me."
At that, Murphy's campaign scoffed - saying their candidate got national support not because he's an insider, but because he's the strongest local candidate. They're already calling Murphy the consensus choice of Connecticut Democrats.
In her conference call with reporters, Bysiewicz unveiled various policy priorities -- everything from getting rid of earmarks to reducing international troop levels to making Wall Street pay. On the last one, Bysiewicz is pushing for a transaction tax on each trade of stock. The proceeds would go, in part, to homeowners facing foreclosure.
"If we want fix our economy, we have to stabilize the housing market."
Also seeking the nomination is State Representative William Tong. Republicans Chris Shays and Linda McMahon are also in the race.
