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Christopher H. Shays (born October 18 1945), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, representing the 4th District of Connecticut, which includes 17 towns in Southwest Connecticut.

Background

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Shays grew up in Darien, attended Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, and received an MBA and MPA from New York University. He and his wife Betsi served in the Peace Corps in Fiji from 1968–1970. He was a member of the Connecticut state house of representatives from 1975-1987, when he was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Stewart B. McKinney. Shays' home in the district is in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Shays is a Christian Scientist; in September 2006, Shays said in an interview that he was questioning his faith.

Shays married the former Betsi deRaismes in 1968. They have one daughter.

Political career

Shays began his political career in the Connecticut House of Representatives, where he would serve for seven terms. In 1987, he was elected to the US House of Representatives in a special election held to fill the vacant seat of the late Stewart McKinney. Between 1988 and 2004, Shays easily won re-election each time by margins between 34,000 and 53,000 votes.

In 2004, however, Shays defeated Democratic challenger Diane Farrell, a Westport Selectwoman, by a margin of 5 percentage points to win reelection. In that race, Shays eschewed the use of negative television ads, despite pleas from some Republicans to do so.

Now in his tenth term in the 109th Congress, Shays serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform. He is Chairperson of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations. Shays is also a member of the Financial Services and Homeland Security Committees.

Political views

Described in the press as a social liberal in the style of a "Rockefeller Republican", Shays labels himself a fiscal conservative. US News and World Report says that analysis of Shays' voting record reveals that he is a moderate, having voted historically more often with liberals than with conservatives, although it notes he voted with Congressional Republicans 80% of the time in 2002. Shays has listed former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich as his political inspiration, saying "Newt Gingrich is my hero."

Shays is labeled by his supporters as a "maverick" and "independent thinker", while conservative detractors regard him as a RINO ("Republican in name only"). Shays is pro-choice on abortion, although he voted to ban intact dilation and extraction without including an exception for the health of the mother. Shays was endorsed by the Brady Campaign for his support for gun control. The Congressman has long been for environmental regulations, and was endorsed in the past election by the League of Conservation Voters. He also advocates humane treatment of animals and ending discrimination in the workplace.

In April of 2005, he broke with most of his party over House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's alleged ethics violations. This made Shays the first Republican to say DeLay should step down from the Majority Leader post. He fought to maintain the Republican Party rule that requires an indicted leader to step down -- the rule that ultimately resulted in Tom DeLay's resignation. Shays stated that he should resign, saying, "Tom's conduct is hurting the Republican Party, is hurting this Republican majority and it is hurting any Republican who is up for re-election."

Shays is a member of or supported by the Republican Main Street Partnership, The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Environmental Protection, and It's My Party Too.

Views on Iraq

Shays voted in favor of the 2003 Congressional resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq. In 2003, he was the first U.S. Congressman to visit Iraq after the outbreak of war and he has traveled to Iraq 14 times overall, more than any other U.S. legislator.

From 2003 until August 24, 2006, Shays was a "stalwart supporter" of the War in Iraq, and of a continued US military presence there. Shays has faced a continued political challenge to his views in a district where recent polls show a solid majority of voters disapprove of the 2003 US decision to invade Iraq.

On April 10, 2003, Shays told the Connecticut Post that "The war plan has been nearly flawless." On August 19, 2004, Shays told reporters, "We're on the right track now." On June 24, 2005, Shays said "We've seen amazing progress ." On July 27, 2005, Shays said on a local radio program that he was optimistic about the future of Iraq, and that he opposed any timetable for troop withdrawal.On June 11, 2006 Shays told the Hartford Courant that his position on the war was a matter of principle and he was not going to stop talking about it.

Upon returning from an August, 2006 Iraq trip, Shays explained that his previous views on Iraq had changed, and Shays became the first Congressional Republican to call for a timetable for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Shays said he is still a supporter of the war, but supports a timetable in order to "encourage some political will on the part of Iraqis".

Shays has angrily disputed media claims that he has flipflopped his position on Iraq. "I am not distancing myself from the President," he told the Los Angeles Times on August 25, 2006. That same day, he told other reporters, "I totally support the war."

Several independent pundits attributed Shays' reversal to weak poll numbers ahead of the November midterm election.

In October, 2006, Shays called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Policy

Along with Representative Marty Meehan, a Massachusetts Democrat, Shays co-sponsored the Shays-Meehan bill, which was signed into law as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. The American Civil Liberties Union "believes that key elements of Shays-Meehan violate the First Amendment right to free speech because the legislation contains provisions that would violate the constitutionally protected right of the people to express their opinions about issues through broadcast advertising if they mention the name of a candidate and restrict soft money contributions and uses of soft money for no constitutionally justifiable reason." The Supreme Court upheld the law (McConnell v. Federal Election Commission).

U.S. elections, 2006

In 2006, Shays is in "the fight of his political life", facing a strong challenge for reelection from former Westport selectwoman Diane Farrell, in the 2006 congressional election in Connecticut's 4th District. According to U.S. News & World Report, "With money pouring in from the district and from national groups (Farrell expects to raise close to $3 million, Shays a bit less) and unregulated political interest groups targeting Shays with automated calls and negative telemarketing designed as polls, this one already has the odor of ugly." According to the US News report, Farrell says that, in 2002, Shays voted in support of Bush's post-911 agenda 80% of the time, but other analyses of his voting record reveals that historically he voted more often with liberals.

Controversies

A week after Ted Kennedy had campaigned in Connecticut for Farrell, Shays was questioned about the Mark Foley scandal. Shays said, "Dennis Hastert didn't kill anybody," referring to the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident involving Senator Ted Kennedy (D). Farrell criticized Shays for making this claim noting, "This is symptomatic of Chris losing his composure in a tight race." A spokeswoman for Kennedy said, "This just makes clear the real need for change in November. Beyond that, I'm not going to dignify such a desperate attack with a response."

Regarding Abu Ghraib, Shays stated, "It was outrageous, outrageous involvement of National Guard troops....who were involved in a sex ring and they took pictures of soldiers who were naked, and they did other things that were just outrageous. But it wasn't torture." Later, Shays clarified his remarks, saying: "It was torture because sex abuse is torture. It was gross and despicable ... This is more about pornography than torture."

See also

• United States House elections, 2006
• Factions in the Republican Party (United States)

Notes

1. Connecticut's Fourth District, Congressman Christopher Shays. Fourth District Links. Accessed October 8, 2006.
2. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. SHAYS, Christopher H. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
3. Chris Shays is Fired Up, Feels Campaign Heat. The Hill. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
4. Urban, Peter. Shays says his faith changed: No longer follows Christian Scientist views on healing. Connecticut Post September 15, 2006.
5. State of Connecticut. Register & Manuel. Accessed October 8, 2006.
6. Connecticut. The Washington Post November 24, 2004.
7. Incumbent Shays fending off Farrell. CNN November 3, 2004.
8. United States House Committee on Government Reform. National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
9. Silvers, Susan. Shays works both sides of politics. Connecticut Post September 19, 2006.
   * The independent man. The Economist September 14, 2006.
   * Lightman, David. Centrist Republicans Gain Clout on Capital Hill. The Hartford Courant March 25, 2001, pg. A1.
10. ^ Congressman Christopher Shays. On The Issues. House.gov. Retrieved October 9, 2006. "As a strong fiscal conservative, I believe national service is one of the wisest and most efficient investments our government can make." Cite error: The named reference "Issues" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
11. ^ Halloran, Liz. One Fierce Nor'easter. U.S. News & World Report May 29, 2006.
12. Shays does know the details, and he admits that "there's a part of me that wonders if it's as well thought out as I'd like it to be." But, he adds, "I'll take almost any alternative over what we've got now." And on the day the measure passed the House, Shays was standing at Gingrich's side, paying homage with the familiar phrases. "What I had to wrestle with was, in my heart I thought I was a caring person," he said. "But I realized I was a caretaking person. And today, what we have shown is that we are a caring country." And then the unlikely convert concluded with the least likely words: "Newt Gingrich is my hero." Rant, Listen, Exploit, Learn, Scare, Help, Manipulate, Lead, The New York Times, January 28, 1996, Sunday, Late Edition - Final, Newt Gingrich, Section 6; Page 34; Column 1; Magazine Desk , 7786 words, By Jason DeParle; Jason DeParle, a staff writer for the Magazine, wrote about welfare in December.
13. ^ Keating, Christopher. "Rep. Shays Facing His Toughest Race in 17 Years; Incumbent's Maverick Image Concerns Fellow Republicans". Hartford Courant. Sep 13, 2004. pg. B.1
14. ^ Buck, Rinker. Out Of Step. The Hartford Courant June 11, 2006.
15. Seelye, Katharine Q. "House, by Broad Margin, Backs Ban on a Type of Late Abortion'. New York Times. Mar 21, 1997. pg. A.1
16. Project VoteSmart. Representative Christopher H. Shays (CT): Gun Issues. Retrieved October 9, 2005.
17. D'Arcy, Janice. 4TH DISTRICT HOUSE RACE GAINS ATTENTION. Hartford Courant Jul 15, 2004. pg. A.17
18. Congressman Christopher Shays.On the Issues:Animal Welfare. House.gov. Retrieved October 9, 2006.
19. Barr, Stephen. "House Bill Would Offer Domestic Partner Benefits to Unmarried Workers". The Washington Post. Jul 18, 2005. pg. B.02
20. Associated Press. Pressure builds on DeLay. MSNBC April 11, 2005.
21. OnTheIssues.org. Christopher Shays on Principles & Values. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
22. Christopher Shays Endorsements. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
23. Congressman Christopher Shays. Shays, Leader on Environmental Issues, Comments on Global Warming Report. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
24. Advisory Board - Christopher Shays. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
25. Associated Press "Rep. Shays Calls for Iraq Withdrawal Time Frame" 24 August 2006
26. ^ Hernandez, Raymond. Congressman Shifts to Favor Iraq Timetable. New York Times August 31, 2006.
27. " Since U.S. forces attacked in 2003, Rep. Christopher Shays, a moderate Republican from Connecticut's liberal 4th District, has been a stalwart defender of the Iraq war. 'I've been carrying the bucket when it comes to the war,' Shays said in September. But facing an antiwar Democratic opponent in a tough midterm election race, Shays is starting to express reservations. " The Nation; Republicans in Blue States Rethink Iraq; Some conservative defenders of the war, facing opinion polls and antiwar challengers in November, are now talking withdrawal., Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2006 Saturday, Home Edition, MAIN NEWS; National Desk; Part A; Pg. 12, 931 words, Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writer, WASHINGTON
28. University of Connecticut CSRA poll. Shays Leads Farrell in Connecticut's 4th District. October 2, 2006.
29. Urban, Peter "Great progress,' but caution urged." Connecticut Post. April 10, 2003. "Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, said the fall of Baghdad is 'obviously a healthy sign' but also cautioned that American and coalition forces are still at risk and the task of establishing a permanent peace remains. 'The successes to date are extraordinary. The war plan has been nearly flawless. Now we need to make sure the peace plan rises to the same level,' Shays said. 'If we are able to help them form a government quickly, we will be viewed as liberators. If we are there too long, we will be viewed basically as conquerors.' "
30. "I think he has to be willing to be very candid about the mistakes we made in Iraq , disbanding the army, the military and the police, having -- not having the State Department not being more culturally sensitive. But we're on the right track now. And, you know, you're allowed to make a few mistakes when you make these big decisions. "Al-Sadr Standoff; Bush Prepping for Convention; Interview With Congressman Christopher Shays, CNN, NEWS FROM CNN 12:00, August 19, 2004 Thursday, Transcript # 081901CN.V95, News; Domestic, International, 7438 words, Don Shepperd, Christopher Shays, Robin Wright, Jeffrey Gettleman, Wolf Blitzer, Matthew Chance, Elaine Quijano, Christopher Darden
31. President Bush to Address Nation, CNN, SHOW: INSIDE POLITICS 3:30 PM EST, June 24, 2005 Friday, NEWS; International, 8635 words, Dana Bash, Suzanne Malveaux, Kristy Feig, Jamie McIntyre, Abbi Tatton, Jacki Schechner, Bill Schneider
32. Video Monitoring Services of America SHOW: The Brad Davis Show July 27, 2005, Wednesday 08:00-10:00 ET NETWORK: WDRC-AM MEDIUM: Radio TYPE: Local Radio
33. ^ Asthana, Anushka. Shays Urges Iraq Withdrawal. The Washington Post August 25, 2006; Page A03.
34. ^ Clift, Eleanor "Will Voters Buy Shays's Iraq Reversal?" Newsweek. September 16, 2006.
35. "I'm not distancing myself from the president," he said. "I believe this is a war we have to win. The people fighting this war are doing the Lord's work." The Nation; Republicans in Blue States Rethink Iraq; Some conservative defenders of the war, facing opinion polls and antiwar challengers in November, are now talking withdrawal., Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2006 Saturday, Home Edition, MAIN NEWS; National Desk; Part A; Pg. 12, 931 words, Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writer, WASHINGTON
36. "REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (R), CONNECTICUT: Let me just be very clear. First, I totally support the war in Iraq. I believe we have to be engaged militarily, economically, politically 100 percent. I believe it would be an absolutely outrage if we left Iraq right now or prematurely. We would simply -- I'm getting talk -- people are talking in the background, guys." Iran Nuclear Showdown; War on 'Fascism'; Interview With Congressman Christopher Shays; Storms Strike Both Coasts; New Therapy Promising for Skin Cancer, CNN, SHOW: THE SITUATION ROOM 5:00 PM EST, August 31, 2006 Thursday, NEWS; International, 7482 words, John King, Aneesh Raman, Suzanne Malveaux, Jack Cafferty, Zain Verjee, Reynolds Wolf, Anderson Burns, Sanjay Gupta, Jacki Schechner
37. Casciato, Don. Farrell and Shays Duel Over Iraq, Rumsfeld. Westport News October 6, 2006.
38. American Civil Liberties Union. ACLU Campaign Finance Reform Fact Sheet. February 12, 2002. Accessed October 8, 2006
39. Lightman, David. Shays Hits Hard In Page Scandal. The Hartford Courant October 11, 2006.
40. Shays on Foley handling: At least no one died. CNN October 11, 2006.
41. Miga, Andrew (October 13, 2006). "Shays says Abu Ghraib abuses were more about sex, not torture". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
42. Rep. Shays Seeks to Defuse Controversy Over Abu Ghraib Remarks Fox News October 13, 2006.

External links

• Shays' Official website
• Congressional District 4 Map
• Contributors (individuals) to Shay's political campaigns
• Peace Corps biography of Chris Shays
• 2004 campaign finance data
• Voting record maintained by the Washington Post

• 1945 births
• Connecticut politicians
• Christian Science followers
• Current members of the United States House of Representatives
• Living people
• Members of the Connecticut House of Representatives
• Members of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut
• People from Bridgeport, Connecticut
• People from Darien, Connecticut
• Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse