Least Likely to Maintain his Senate Seat - Dodd with Obama - photo: Boston.com
In an about face, due to rock-bottom approval ratings, a 2010 challenge from an increasingly popular, Republican Rob Simmons (16 Point Lead in Polls), a personal problem with mortage giant Countrywide and a larger professional problem with AIG bonuses - Dodd has begun to reshape his image, just in the nick of time.
With Ted Kennedy’s health problems this year, Dodd was given the job dealing with Obama’s Health Care Plan and those Lobbyists that were working with the aforementioned Kennedy. With all of the above haunting Dodd, the decision was made to “distance” him from these lobbyist, so a less than honest Internet ad was aired by the Dodd Campaign (NPR). The gist of the ad is that Dodd is no friend to lobbyists - lobbyists quotes were used in the ad implying that the "ethical" Dodd would not work with lobbyist – except - those quotes used were taken out of context. To make matters worse, the campaign sent out emails announcing the “New and Improved Chris Dodd” to - those same lobbyists.
Dodd’s political and personal issues are legion, and any attempt to give him an ethical makeover will not sit well with Connecticut voters who are not in lockstep with any particular party (see Joe Lieberman). Understanding that Dodd’s campaign contributions come mainly from those “special interests” he is attempting to distance himself from, the Connecticut Democrat Party did not help this past week when they issued a statement “sneering” at his opponents quarterly fundraising reports.
The man that apparently can’t get anything right (or gets caught in the act), is handling the nation’s health care reform? (Which, without the support of all Democrats (Blue Dogs in Committees), may fail.) Although Dodd’s campaign remains upbeat, the issues dogging him are far too numerous and too recent, to allow him time to “fool” the Connecticut electorate, regardless of any "make-over".
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