(MYSTIC) - Raj Shah, Communications Director for Simmons for Senate, made the following statement in reaction to Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's denial that President Obama has offered to campaign for him, one month after a widely reported phone conversation in which the President offered his full support. Now, Blumenthal the President may not want to, due to Blumenthal's so-called independence:
 
"Barely a month ago, it was widely reported that President Obama called Dick Blumenthal and personally offered to do everything to help his campaign.  Now, he's denying that he has spoken to the White House about having the President campaign for him.  It is abundantly clear that Blumenthal is not telling the truth about what transpired, and that he regards President Obama as a liability to be avoided.  This goes to show just how toxic the political environment is for Democrats that Blumenthal would fudge the truth in order to distance himself from a President who just 15 months ago won this state by 23 points.  Republicans must take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity by nominating qualified and proven candidate they can be proud of."
 
FACTS
 
At An Event Last Night, Attorney General Blumenthal Argued That President Obama "May Not Want To Come Here" Because He'd Be Such An Independent Senator. "Barack Obama shouldn't expect an invitation from fellow Democrat Dick Blumenthal anytime soon: Blumenthal said in a New Haven stop that the president 'may not want to come here' to stump for his U.S. Senate campaign, given how independent he claimed he'll be if elected." (Melissa Bailey, "Blumenthal Runs Away From Obama," The New Haven Independent, 2/16/10)

Blumenthal Claimed He Hasn't "Presumed To Ask" President Obama To Campaign For Him, And Said "I Don't Know Whether He Would." "'Would you like President Obama to come to Connecticut to campaign on your behalf?' the Independent asked Blumenthal after his talk. 'I, you know, haven't reached that point in making a decision one way or the other. I haven't presumed to ask, I don't know whether he would, and I don't know whether we would ask. At this point it's an open question.'" (Melissa Bailey, "Blumenthal Runs Away From Obama," The New Haven Independent, 2/16/10)

But Just Last Month Upon Entering The Race, President Obama Called Blumenthal "And Told Him He Would Be Happy To Help If There Was Anything He Could Do To Assist." "Obama called Blumenthal this evening to congratulate him on announcing his candidacy, according to a source at the White House. The President reportedly wished Blumenthal well and told him he would be happy to help if there was anything he could do to assist." (Daniela Altimari, "White House Reaches Out To Blumenthal, Offers Help," The Hartford Courant's "Capitol Watch" Blog, blogs.courant.com, 1/6/10)
 
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