Billboard mocks McMahon's free-spending

"Linda : She's Out Shopping Again!" billboard, near I-95, in Bridgeport, Conn. June 29th, 2012. "Linda : She's Out Shopping Again!" billboard, near I-95, in Bridgeport, Conn. June 29th, 2012. Photo: Ned Gerard Photo: Ned Gerard Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Billboard mocks McMahon's free-spending 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Who says politicians are too busy or too self-important to sign their own names?

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., gladly made an exception for John Barrett -- no autopen required.

The Milford Democrat owns a sign company that, for a second Senate election in a row, recently unveiled a billboard satirizing Republican Linda McMahon.

The billboard, which faces southbound traffic near Exit 29 of Interstate 95 in Bridgeport, says, "Linda: She's Out Shopping Again!"

"If someone took a telescope or pair of binoculars, they might find Dick Blumenthal's signature on that sign," Barrett said. "He saw it in my shop and he couldn't resist the temptation."

While it was aware of the billboard, which uses a similar font and color scheme as the candidate's official signs, McMahon's campaign had no comment.

Neither did former Congressman Christopher Shays, who trails the deep-pocketed McMahon by 29 points in the GOP Senate primary race and could seemingly use all the free advertising possible.

Shays doesn't have the money to buy television air time before the Aug. 14 primary.

"I've supported Chris Shays in the past," Barrett said. "It's not like I'm a hard-line Democrat. If I can make Chris happy, that's great."

In 2010, Barrett Outdoor Communications, the West Haven family business run by brothers John and Bruce, displayed a similar anti-McMahon billboard at the same location.

That one said, "Linda: Because She's Bought Everything Else!"

McMahon, whose family runs WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), spent $50 million of her personal fortune two years ago, a record for self-funded candidates in Connecticut. She lost to Blumenthal by 12 points, however.

Asked what he finds so objectionable about McMahon, Barrett, 51, said her free-spending habits and lack of public service experience don't make her the right fit for the Senate.

"The whole concept, `I'm filthy rich and I'm going to buy my election,'" Barrett said. "I don't think she's qualified for it."

Blumenthal, who happened to be touring the billboard company not too long ago, is not exactly the first person who comes to mind as a prankster.

His office had no comment.

Barrett estimated that the billboard, one of about 100 throughout the state owned by his company, would rent for about $3,500 a month.

He and his sibling are the force behind Brothers for Intelligent Government, which put up the billboard about two weeks ago and has its own website.

A billboard can take as little as a half-hour to put up, according to Barrett, who has no official timetable for maintaining the anti-McMahon sign.

"It could move, though," Barrett said. "These things have a habit of moving around."

neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy