Analyst: Rep. Himes raises national profile at impeachment inquiry hearings

Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat representing Connecticut’s 4th District, has become one of the most visible and persistent questioners this week during the impeachment inquiry.

News 12 Staff

Nov 21, 2019, 10:50 PM

Updated 1,611 days ago

Share:

Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat representing Connecticut’s 4th District, has become one of the most visible and persistent questioners this week during the impeachment inquiry.
This week, President Donald Trump's ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland implicated him in a scheme to shake down Ukraine in exchange for political favors. He also implicated the president’s inner circle.
Southern Connecticut State political analyst Kevin Buterbaugh thinks this week’s findings won't be good for President Trump.
"I think this will hurt him, and hurt him rather significantly,” he told News 12. "As [Sondland] said, there was a very clear quid pro quo. There was, ‘if you want to meet with the president, you have to agree to an investigation of the Bidens.’"
Buterbaugh believes Rep. Himes “raised his national profile significantly” through his questioning of witnesses in such a public forum.
However, Buterbaugh wonders whether Americans are already tuning out.
“I think there's a larger number of Americans that are not watching and actually don't care,” says Buterbaugh.
Even though the impeachment hearings were on almost every channel, Sondland's testimony only drew 12 million viewers. The biggest ratings went to Fox News.


More from News 12
2:06
STORM Academy basketball coach recalls teen fatally shot in Bridgeport

STORM Academy basketball coach recalls teen fatally shot in Bridgeport

2:08
Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

Rain is on the way for tonight and early Saturday, warmer temps on the way

0:25
New Haven PD releases form to better serve individuals with disabilities during emergencies

New Haven PD releases form to better serve individuals with disabilities during emergencies

2:33
Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

2:25
CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:02
Broadway star takes over Fairfield SHU Community Theatre

Broadway star takes over Fairfield SHU Community Theatre

1:14
Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

1:50
FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

0:29
Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

0:21
Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

0:29
Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

2:34
Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2:11
Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

2:27
17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

2:17
Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

2:05
Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

Monroe police say they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case