The Romney-Ryan team loves Connecticut Republicans — for their money. They just don’t want to spend any time in public with them.
Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan has at least three events in Connecticut on Sunday, but they all are private fundraisers.
Jerry Labriola, the state GOP chairman, declined comment when asked about any disappointment over Ryan staying under the radar as he sprints from West Hartford to Darien to Greenwich collecting checks.
Ryan will start the day at the home of Arnold Chase atop Avon Mountain and work his way south to the Greenwich home of state Sen. Scott Frantz, Labriola said.
Of course, it is unclear how big a boost Ryan, whose name is synonymous with austerity budgeting, would be to local GOP candidates. Democrats celebrated his selection by Mitt Romney.
U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon has no plans to meet with Ryan. Her schedule won’t permit it, she said.
It’s not just Connecticut Republicans who are popular for their money. President Obama’s last trip to Connecticut revolved around two private fundraisers. He made no public pitch to the electorate.