Why has a GOP Rep. been comparing himself to Obama?

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/14/art.shays.cnn.jpg
caption="Why’s a GOP congressman comparing himself to Obama?"]
(CNN) - Call Christopher Shays one of the last members of a dying breed. The Congressman from Connecticut is a moderate Republican - the lone remaining GOP member of the House of Representatives who hails from New England.

The overall political climate isn't helping either. An unpopular President, an unpopular war in Iraq, and an ailing economy are all working against the Republican Party this cycle.

House Democrats are again targeting Shays' seat this November.

So maybe it's no surprise that Shays is has been running a campaign commercial for the past few weeks that uses visuals of Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, as well as his party's presidential nominee, John McCain.

The ad, starts with pictures of Obama, with the announcer saying "the hopefulness of Obama, the straight talk of McCain. It's what Christopher Shays has always stood for."

The announcer continues the bi-partisan theme, saying that Shays "goes where the truth takes him, never afraid to take a stand or oppose his own party. In a sea of partisanship, Shays is different. It's not what is Republican or Democrat. It's what is right for America."