(CNN) – New England's lone House Republican appears to have publicly broken with his party's standard-bearer, saying John McCain has not run a clean campaign and is likely to lose his bid for the presidency.
"I just don't see how [McCain] can win," Connecticut Rep. Chris Shays told the Yale Daily News earlier this week. "He has lost his brand as a maverick; he did not live up to his pledge to fight a clean campaign." Shays, who in 2006 became the only Republican congressman from New England, perennially finds himself in a heated re-election race.
The comments are the latest in a string of Republicans who have publicly criticized the Arizona senator's handling of the presidential race and predicted his defeat next week is all but certain. (Other Republicans joining the chorus include Former Maryland Sen. Charles Mathias, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.)
Fellow Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl and former GOP presidential Candidate Mitt Romney also have reportedly said they think McCain is likely to lose. Jon Kyl denied making the comments, though the Arizona Daily Star later produced audio indicating he did.
In his Yaale Daily News interview, Shays did not endorse Barack Obama, and said he remained skeptical the Illinois senator will govern from the center if he is elected president.
“It’s what all presidents should do, but [Obama] has never been there,” he said of Obama's ideological orientation.
Shays is a co-chairman of McCain's campaign efforts in Connecticut.
From CNN Politics
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I'd say right now, Obama is the LEAST of McCain's problems. His own party is killing him.
The truth is slowly coming out.
It is good to know that we, the American people, can distinguish between dirty and clean, between evil and good.
We have to again show that World that we can lead by example.
McCain and Palin have been nothing but DISGRACE to the United States of America...
The international news papers are full of the junk that McCain and Palin have thrown into this campaign.
OBAMA is really the only chance to restore our moral values both nationaly and internationaly.
OBAMA 2008 – 2016
HOORAY for Shays and other honest Republicans that are emerging!
Shame on Elizabeth Dole's sordid gambit. A truly Godless thing to do. Try to lose gracefully instead of doing a F A I L I N Palin!
CNN you can't moderate the election....
CNN, please print this.
Mr Shays You are a gentleman.
Call MCcain and Palin and tell them to SHUT UP. This is enough.
MCcain, I was listening you today...you are nothing but a cry baby. You said that you are going to bring troops home after winning from IRAQ...
Do you think this nation is going to buy (believe) what you are asking us to ? I want to see your scars and also the BRUISES on your KNEES too...oops.. By the way what are you trying to prove with your scars you mention every time.
Let me tell you some thing.....a fighter never shows scars...HE SHOWS ACTIONS...in which you have miserably failed....
Give yourself a break and accept that you are NOTHING BUT A LOOSER....you want to be our commander in chief...lay off man. You can not control even one "PALIN"...who is on the loose like a mad bi..h.
Scott if you had an even slight idea of what you were talking about or just did not lie you would know the tax plan was the same from the start. only those making over 250000 would see an increase those under 200000 would see a decrease and those in between 200k and 250k would see no difference.
Shays is one of the only straight talking republicons there is. The only question is why he is still a republicon? He really is a Democrat, but will lose his seat because he is the party of bush and mckane.
Scott L: More koolaid with your daily dose of Rushpublican hate?
I don't blame anyone in any party for talking down their candidates for president. This country is on the brink of hell and there is no way out. McCain will ruin us financially and Obama will ruin us with his Socialism. I am going to pray that in 4 years, we'll get two worthy candidates and wake up from this surrealistic nightmare.
Get over it – being Liberal is no longer a bad word. Times they are a changing – I am proud that a black man has come this far and will be our next president (I am white). He won it not because of his race, but in spite of it (many are too prejudice to vote for him, even though they like him).
We are living in a historical time for our country.
Palin was a foolish choice, and now most Republicans are realizing the mistake.
When there is this level of endorsement to an opposing candidate – it becomes clear that that candidate is head and shoulders above the other. this is not about McCain – but the hope and positivity that Senator Obama is engendering in all corners of the American populace, regardless of color, creed or party membership for that matter.
I don't even think Bush ran a dirty election, and that's saying lots. At least he addressed important issues at the time when terrorism and Iraq were hightened issues. I don't agree with Bush's decisions, but he is looking more and more of a saint compared to this McCain-Palin ticket.
Republicans, who wish to choose Sarah Palin as their leader, have an advantage of not needing a new name for their party. It already exist: It is called KKK!
You libs say MCain is not truthful. obama is a bigger lier by far. Biden is retarded and keep sticking his foot in his mouth. Why would any one vote for some one they know nothing about. WHAT IS OBAMA HIDING and WHY. All obama has going for him is that he is a slick talker. He can lie to your face and make you belive he is telling the truth. He is a WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING. Learn the truth about him before you vote. Or maybe you don't want to know the truth.
Chris Shays has run an extremely "clean" upscale campaign here in Connecticut. It is no surprise that he would condemn the dirt that he saw coming out of the presidential campaign. Nice job Chris Shays!
Enjoy the swim. I hope you have your life jacket with you. The water is going to be very cold this fall.
His negative campaign and his choice of running mates sealed the deal for me--Obama all the way!
Another rat jumping ship. At least he admits McCain hasn't run a clean campaign!
Obama/Biden '08
The Republicans would vilify and destroy 49% of this nation if it won them 51% and POWER. There Party is all about destroying this nation from within by turning Americans against Americans.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ACORN:
VOTE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN - WE'RE HERE TO HELP!
Mitt Romney publicly saying McPlain will lose is HUGE.
OBAMA/BIDEN NOV 4 2008