Posts Tagged Chris Dodd
MORE BREAKING: CT-Sen: Dodd to Retire
Posted by michael in 2010 Elections on January 6th, 2010
Both the Post and Times are now reporting the embattled Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd will not seek re-election this fall. It would appear the Senator Dodd will make his announcement later today/tomorrow in his home state.
This may offer quite the twist to an already interesting campaign in a solidly Democratic state that Cook Political Index has leaning Republican. It would seem that this certainly has the potential to put a damper on Republican hopefuls Linda McMahon and Rob Simmons, who’s potential for success has largely been tied to Dodd’s unpopularity. It sounds as though this may also offer an opportunity for Richard Blumenthal, the state’s popular attorney, general to jump into the ring.
As with Sen. Dorgan’s recent moves, we’ll certainly be following this one in the coming days.
CT-Sen: New Strategy for Dodd is Bring Home the Bacon
Posted by jaren in 2010 Elections on December 23rd, 2009
With a backdrop of health care legislation supporters, Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut along with other colleagues did a brief speech on their legislative achievement in the Mansfield Room of the US Capitol. Upon hearing the crowd’s applause, he jokingly stated that he hoped all of those in the audience were from Connecticut.
All joking aside, Dodd is in the fight of his political life and as Politico reported in a piece today, he is pulling all of the punches he can to bring home in the bacon in an attempt to win back good favor with the voters of Connecticut. Among some of the goodies Dodd has brought back to Connecticut, according to Politico, are: “…senior citizen centers, low-income heating assistance, education programs, new buses and highway funds in Connecticut.” Also, Dodd is pushing transportation dollars to build high speed rail systems in Connecticut as well as trying to get the Pentagon to buy more Connecticut made aircraft engines. Furthermore, Dodd managed to get an $100 million grant for a university hospital in Connecticut, and speculation is that this hospital will go to the University of Connecticut.
If Dodd’s own internal polling numbers are a valid indication of his progress, his strategy of unapologetically bringing home the bacon may be working. Real Clear Politics reported on Tuesday that Dodd released internal polling numbers showing him tied at 46-46 with WWE CEO Linda McMahon and just 6 points behind Republican frontrunner Rep. Rob Simmons at 51-46. That is a significant improvement from the Rasmussen poll released earlier this month that showed Dodd behind Simmons at 48-35 and behind McMahaon at 44-38.
If Dodd can continue to bring home the bacon for Connecticut, perhaps he can transcend his lagging poll numbers and remind Connecticut voters why it is wise to vote for the experienced incumbent with enough prestige to bring home the goods. It will be interesting to see how his strategy is working once external polling numbers are released in the future.
CT-Sen: Dodd Now Has Primary Challenger
Posted by jaren in 2010 Elections on May 19th, 2009
Today, the Hartford Courant has reported that Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut has a new challenger in the Democratic Party in the form of Connecticut businessman Merrick Alpert. While about two months ago it seemed Dodd was in real political trouble in his own state, the Hartford publication largely down plays this challenger as being an overambitious candidate with little political experience and with a very small chance of defeating Dodd.
At the moment, it seems that Dodd has for now at least temporarily repaired his reputation enough to not be in any real danger of losing a primary. He will also have a strong base of fundraising support especially with the pledged support of President Obama. Still, it is worth noting that he now has an opponent. Two Republicans have already dropped their hats in the Senate race as well.
McCain Has Viable Far Right Primary Opponent for 2010
Posted by jaren in 2010 Elections on April 23rd, 2009
Ben Smith reported in his Politico blog that John McCain is now facing an opponent running to the right of him for the 2010 Arizona Senate race. The article makes several points that could make this race tough for McCain. First, McCain never delivered on his comprehensive immigration legislation so now he does not necessarily have Hispanic support, and the right is not necessarily happy because he attempted that legislation that broke with most in his party.
Meet Chris Simcox. He is the founder of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, a citizen formed militia that takes immigration issues essentially in its own hands. While McCain is obviously a very well known and influential Senator and not necessarily in political trouble in his state, as Smith mentions Simcox could have fundraising support from all across the country (I.E. people who may enjoy Lou Dobbs Reports). With increasing danger at the border, the people of Arizona may be more likely to support a candidate tough on immigration. We will be watching closely as McCain is added to a new list of powerful endangered Senators along with Specter and Dodd.
PA-Sen Week in Review: Could Specter Be Considering…Retirement?
Posted by jaren in 2010 Elections on April 12th, 2009
I am so confused about the intentions of Arlen Specter as I look back upon this week. How badly does he want to remain a Senator? We all know he would be practically handed a victory if he were to switch to the Democratic Party like the short lived rumor that was floating earlier this year. But after abandoning one of the Democratic party’s biggest constituencies with going against the Employee Free Choice Act which he once co-sponsored, that is now all but completely quelled.
As we have stated like a broken record on this blog, now with a shrinking Republican party in the increasingly left leaning state of Pennsylvania, Specter is endangered by Pat Toomey who will very likely be running against him in the primary from the right. Polls overwhelmingly show that he would be in great political danger with this possibility. That being said, one would think Specter would be spending his recess re-connecting with Pennsylvania Republicans.
Instead, we see behavior of someone who one would think is a safe incumbent. Currently, Senator Specter is on vacation in Cancun instead of shaking hands in his home state like another endangered Senate colleague Chris Dodd. Another strange act of polarization was Arlen Specter appearing on the Howard Stern Show earlier this week, where Howard Stern emphatically stated he would supporting Senator Specter. Pat Toomey ought to be sending a postcard to Cancun thanking Senator Specter for the free potential soundbites linking Specter to Stern. I can honestly imagine them in my head right now.
Now back to the original subject line, Specter is now 79 years old, a survivor of cancer and quite an accomplished statesman. Could he, somewhere in the cobwebs of his mind, be considering a retirement? After all, if he wanted to maintain his Senate seat with every bone in his body, would not he be out at the town halls and VFW’s shaking some hands this week like almost every other Senator? Would not he avoid appearing on shock jock radio shows that would greatly offend the deeply socially conservative Pennsylvania Republican base that he needs to win over very quickly? I tend to believe that Specter wants to fight another day as most of his other political actions before this week have seemed to show. But, this past week has been like the strange twist in a novel that mostly reverses back to what you originally expected by the end of the book. But maybe, this twist isn’t so farfetched. Maybe, he’s ready to hang it up…
CT-Sen: More trouble for Dodd, DSCC helping
Posted by Devin in 2010 Elections on April 3rd, 2009
Yesterday a Quinnipiac poll pegged Rep. Rob Simmons’ lead over Connecticut’s senior United States Senator Chris Dodd at 16 points–a poll where Simmons, at this early stage, hits 50%.
This led to a flurry of speculation that Dodd, who previously seemed untouchable, could be beat–and even if the Democrats should primary Dodd in hopes of retaining the seat.
The DSCC quickly answered that question: a resounding no from DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez: “Are you serious? Chris Dodd is going to be re-elected. He’s a great senator.”
Instead the DSCC launched a quick attack aimed at Simmons, attacking him for links to lobbyists and special interests. The NRCC quickly responded by calling the spot hypocritical.
Despite the response, Ben Smith at Politico has suggested that Menendez, in tandem with the White House, may try getting Dodd to step away from the race by offering some high-profile appointment. Other options could be head of the Peace Corps or Ambassador to Mexico. That way, popular Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal could run. Presumably Blumenthal would be able to retain the seat.
It seems unlikely to me that those options seem “high-profile” to Dodd, as he stands front and center to the current banking crisis. If he does end up following through on his intentions to run, it will be an uphill battle; he even acknowledged yesterday, “I am the underdog.”
CT-Sen: Dodd in trouble, but determined
Posted by Devin in 2010 Elections on April 1st, 2009
Sen. Chris Dodd has to fight for his re-election, and he knows it.
Bloomberg is reporting that Dodd spent a significant chunk of his re-election coffers on his failed presidential run, and he’s far behind his numbers (less than half) from a comparable time last cycle, according to Bloomberg (via CQ).
A recent e-mail obtained by The Daily Horse Race indicates John Kerry is sending a fundraising e-mail to supporters, calling him a “progressive” partner of Ted Kennedy’s over the past 20 years and touting past successes such as the Family Medical Leave Act. It’s not odd for fellow Democrats to send e-mails for other Democrats, but Dodd is no freshman, and he’s in a solidly Democratic state.
Dodd is also polling poorly. According to DailyKos/R2000 (3/23-29/09):
Dodd (D): 45
Simmons (R): 40
Incumbents under 50% are usually considered in trouble.
Probably as a result of that polling, Dodd has hired Jay Howser, a veteran campaign hand, who previously worked on Al Gore’s presidential campaign, and for Sen. Paul Wellstone, Rep. Brad Ellsworth, and Sen. Mary Landrieu–the last two of which needed a significant boost in order to win their respective races. The hire indicates Dodd knows very well that this is do right or go home; a veteran can stretch that money as far as possible.
Many Dem, Rep incumbents could be in trouble in 2010
Posted by Devin in 2010 Elections on March 27th, 2009
In addition to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), both facing stiff competition in primaries and chronicled in detail by The Daily Horse Race, there are a number of other 2010 races with endangered incumbents.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) The raw numbers indicate while Lincoln may have trouble being re-elected, Republicans have been unable to find a suitable, top-tier opponent to take full advantage of her weakness. Forty five percent of respondents approve of the job she’s doing; any number under 50% is troublesome for an incumbent.
Deval Patrick (D-Mass.) is another incumbent with bad numbers. A big supporter of candidate Obama last year, Patrick may have to channel a much more popular Pres. Obama if he hopes to win next year. In a recent poll, Patrick is losing to Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill in a general election matchup–Cahill, a Democrat, has said he’s considering running as an independent.
Chris Dodd (D-CT) is, like Patrick, a rare breed: a Northeastern Democrat in electoral trouble. While the Democrats have swept many Republicans out of seats, 2010 may change that. Dodd is facing a credible challenger in former Rep. Rob Simmons. Once considered virtually untouchable, political prognosticators are saying that Dodd’s decision to move to Iowa during his also-ran presidential campaign hurt his standing in Connecticut. Subsequent problems, such as the current AIG mess and, earlier, the report that Dodd received a V.I.P. loan from Countrywide have further tarnished his image.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) is like Dodd in that he could be stopped in the general election who stands a chance at beating him, but unlike Dodd, Burr’s challenger is not yet confirmed. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper is narrowly leading Burr in a recent poll, despite lower name recognition. After 2004, when Burr won his first term, Democrats have been making inroads in North Carolina, with Obama and newly-elected Sen. Kay Hagan winning there last year.
Interestingly, the challenges are not on purely ideological grounds, as Specter, a moderate, faces opposition to his right, and Perry, a conservative, faces opposition to his left; Dodd, a liberal Democrat, is in trouble from a Republican takeover–but so is Lincoln, a moderate Democrat.