Spring Break
It's time for a change in Chris Dodd's seat
Aaron Igdalsky
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: Commentary
Our state's senior senator, Democrat Chris Dodd, is in the midst of the campaign of his life. And the election isn't until November 2010.
Several promising Republican challengers have recently made official announcements stating their intentions to run against Sen. Dodd, including former Congressman Rob Simmons and State Sen. Sam Caligiuri. As a recent lightning rod for a plethora of self-inflicted controversies, Dodd now finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to lie in the bed that he made himself.
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why Dodd's popularity has dropped so precipitously in recent months. Hartford Courant columnist Helen Ubiñas phrased it best: "Could be the one about the funky mortgage deals, the precious Irish cottage, the obscene AIG bonuses or even the latest about his tanking poll numbers. Reader's choice, really."
Speaking of polls, a recent Quinnipiac University poll released last week found that Dodd is more vulnerable now than at any other point in his five-term, 30-year senate career. Dodd's approval rating among Connecticut voters is a meager 33 percent, a whopping 16 percent lower than just a month ago (since that earlier poll back in March, Sen. Dodd admitted to inserting language in the recent economic stimulus bill that ensured AIG could pay out its executive bonuses). When asked whom they would support in a race between Dodd and UConn's Rep. Joe Courtney's Republican predecessor, Rob Simmons, 50 percent of respondents favored Simmons while only 34 percent favored Dodd. Republican State Sen. Sam Caligiuri edged Dodd in the recent poll by a margin of 41 percent to 37 percent. For a sitting senator to be down 16 percent (as is the case with Rob Simmons) in a two-person poll is almost unheard of. In a sign that he is gearing up for a fight, Dodd recently hired political heavyweight advisor Jay Howser to manage his campaign.
Time is the one thing still working to Dodd's advantage: with more than a year and half until the election, Dodd has a political eternity to rebuild his image and reputation here in the state. But that rebuilding effort will be a monumental task. After so many lapses in judgment, voters will be hard-pressed to forget all of Dodd's mistakes come voting time.
Several promising Republican challengers have recently made official announcements stating their intentions to run against Sen. Dodd, including former Congressman Rob Simmons and State Sen. Sam Caligiuri. As a recent lightning rod for a plethora of self-inflicted controversies, Dodd now finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to lie in the bed that he made himself.
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why Dodd's popularity has dropped so precipitously in recent months. Hartford Courant columnist Helen Ubiñas phrased it best: "Could be the one about the funky mortgage deals, the precious Irish cottage, the obscene AIG bonuses or even the latest about his tanking poll numbers. Reader's choice, really."
Speaking of polls, a recent Quinnipiac University poll released last week found that Dodd is more vulnerable now than at any other point in his five-term, 30-year senate career. Dodd's approval rating among Connecticut voters is a meager 33 percent, a whopping 16 percent lower than just a month ago (since that earlier poll back in March, Sen. Dodd admitted to inserting language in the recent economic stimulus bill that ensured AIG could pay out its executive bonuses). When asked whom they would support in a race between Dodd and UConn's Rep. Joe Courtney's Republican predecessor, Rob Simmons, 50 percent of respondents favored Simmons while only 34 percent favored Dodd. Republican State Sen. Sam Caligiuri edged Dodd in the recent poll by a margin of 41 percent to 37 percent. For a sitting senator to be down 16 percent (as is the case with Rob Simmons) in a two-person poll is almost unheard of. In a sign that he is gearing up for a fight, Dodd recently hired political heavyweight advisor Jay Howser to manage his campaign.
Time is the one thing still working to Dodd's advantage: with more than a year and half until the election, Dodd has a political eternity to rebuild his image and reputation here in the state. But that rebuilding effort will be a monumental task. After so many lapses in judgment, voters will be hard-pressed to forget all of Dodd's mistakes come voting time.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Howard Harper
posted 4/07/09 @ 3:36 PM EST
and why wait for the 2010 elections
Dodd should resign NOW !
Big D
posted 4/22/09 @ 7:31 AM EST
Christopher Dodd has spent too much time in Washington DC and has forgotten who his constituents are. Instead of campaign contributions from CT residents, Dodd has decided to turn to corporations who think that CT residents are so stupid that our votes can be bought. (Continued…)
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