The Chris Murphy interview

5th CD Democratic candidate Chris Murphy is a man on a mission.

This 32-year old State Senator representing the 16th District is currently taking one of President Bush's strongest Republican supporter, Nancy Johnson in on of the most competitive and closely watched Congressional races in the nation.

For someone who's been in politics far less than Rep. Johnson, his political resume is quite impressive.

During his first year in the Senate, Murphy steered the passage of an impressive array of landmark bills advancing public health, including the state’s workplace smoking ban. He also authored legislation that prohibits hospitals from engaging in overly aggressive collection practices against uninsured patients. In addition, he authored bills that expand low-cost prescription drug access for the uninsured, establish new government powers to be utilized during a bioterrorism attack, and increase whistleblower protections for hospital employees.

In 2004, Murphy worked to pass legislation increasing standards for auto emissions in Connecticut, and he authored and passed bills protecting nurses from being forced to work overtime shifts and implementing new patient safety protections for hospitals. He also led the fight for increased federal funding for Connecticut nursing homes.

That same year, Murphy introduced legislation that would provide vital funding for stem cell research here in Connecticut. Murphy's work that year helped lay the groundwork for future victory on this important issue, and in 2005 Murphy succeeded in passing Connecticut's landmark stem cell investment act, one of his proudest accomplishments.

His message is simple and easy enough for anyone who's had enough with the status-quo to understand...it's time for a change. Unfortunately for Johnson, it seems like Murphy's message is resonating with the voters in the fifth district.

Although Johnson has over 4 million in her warchest and is a 24 year incumbent, according to the latest poll by Democracy Corps, Johnson only leads Murphy by five points (49-44) making this race almost a dead heat and once you look at the numbers closely, you can understand why there is concern in the Johnson camp.

How would you rate the job being done by Nancy Johnson as U.S. Congresswoman -- excellent, good, just fair, or poor?

Excellent...11
Good...32
Just fair...32
Poor...18

Excellent/Good ...43
Fair/Poor...50

If the election for U.S. House of Representatives were today and the candidates were Democrat Chris Murphy and Republican Nancy Johnson -- for whom would you vote, Democrat Chris Murphy or Republican Nancy Johnson?

Democrat Chris Murphy ...40
Lean Democrat Chris Murphy ... 4
Republican Nancy Johnson...45
Lean Republican Nancy Johnson...4
(Undecided)...7

Total Democrat Chris Murphy...44
Total Republican Nancy Johnson...49

Based on what you have seen on TV lately, are you feeling more favorable or less favorable toward Nancy Johnson?

Much more favorable...11
Somewhat more favorable ...21
Somewhat less favorable ...20
Much less favorable ...17
(No difference)...6
(Have not seen anything)...17
(Don't know/refused) ...7

Total More favorable ...32
Total Less favorable...37

Based on what you have seen on TV lately, are you feeling more favorable or less favorable toward Chris Murphy?

Much more favorable...10
Somewhat more favorable ...18
Somewhat less favorable ...13
Much less favorable ...10
(No difference)...6
(Mixed)...1
(Have not seen anything)...28
(Don't know/refused)...16

Total More favorable...27
Total Less favorable...23

Recently, I had a had a chance to sit down with Chris Murphy and discuss why he's running for Congress as well as why he feels that he can do a better job in Washington than his Republican counterpart.


One thing is for certain; this is going to be a very interesting campaign to watch as the fall election cycle gets underway.

For more information on Murphy and his campaign, check out his website and make sure to meet Chris as his travels across the 5th district on his 41 towns on 41 days tour.