That’s a question that might be the focus of campaign commercials run by the  Republican challengers to Connecticut’s congressional delegation.    It is a version of Ronald Reagan’s famous statement in 1980, that has been implemented by candidates for 30 years whenever the economy goes south.   Already a theme seems to be emerging among the five candidates seeking seats in congress, that the current delegation is responsible for the severe economic problems the state is now facing.  

On this Sunday’s “Face the State” our first guest is two term Democrat Chris Murphy, the congressman from the 5th district.   Last  week, CNN named Murphy’s seat as “vulnerable.”    An internal poll issued by the Caligiuri campaign called the race a ‘dead heat.”   Murphy’s campaign dismissed the poll numbers. 

I asked Murphy if he thinks his constituents are better off than they were two years ago, when he was re-elected in a landslide, and he said they are better off.   The number crunchers in the state labor department may disagree.   The highest unemployment rate in the state is in Murphy’s district:  Waterbury at 12.2% up from earlier this year.   The number of jobless is also up in Torrington and Danbury.   No doubt there are plenty of people who think they are not better off than they were in 2008, and Murphy will have to persuade them otherwise.

 You’ll see Murphy’s answer on Sunday and we also talk about whether he would vote for another stimulus package, the President’s low approval ratings in our state, and whether the liberal tag he has been given is accurate.   Murphy also said he disagreed with former Democratic chairman John Droney’s assessment that President Obama would hurt Connecticut Democrats in the fall, and that shouldn’t come here.   Murphy responded, “I would proudly stand with President Obama,”  and blamed the economy on former President Bush.

Our other guest is Janet Peckinpaugh, the Republican candidate for congress in the 2nd district.   The former television news anchor is challenging three term Democrat Joe Courtney. 

Peckinpaugh plans on using a playbook similar to the one being used by Murphy’s challenger Sam Caliguiri.   The former television anchor wasted no time criticizing Courtney for his close ties to President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.     

Peckinpaugh’s strong showing in the primary and the President’s low approval rating in the district (46%) caught the attention of Minority Leader John Boehner, who would replace Pelosi if the GOP wins the House.   Peckinpaugh says in a recent meeting Boehner told her the national party could help her if she raises a quarter of a million dollars by October.  She told me is already nearly halfway there.  Still, it pales in comparison to the war chest her challenger has, but national dollars could even the playing field.

I also asked her about her focus on Naval Station New London, and whether she is using the sub base in Groton for political purposes.   

Peckinpaugh also reveals the stimulus money for her district, that she feels never should have been granted.

Tune in this Sunday at 11 for Face the State.