Time Short For Dodd To Regain Voters’ Trust

I have never seen U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd as humble as he appeared to be on the March 15 edition of Face the State on WFSB.

He spent a full half hour with Dennis House acknowledging his low approval rating, explaining his real estate transactions, his mortgage, the presidential pardon he got for a friend, his run for the White House, his move to Iowa and how he senses the electorate is looking to make a change.

He never showed a negative emotion throughout the entire exchange, even when House delicately brought up the memory of his father. No anger, resentment or arrogance. He was a public servant, there to answer any questions he needed to. Just a regular guy, like Dennis himself. If only it were that easy.

Dodd had done a little media tour that weekend in the hope of stopping the bleeding following his handling of a mortgage scandal and a new series of articles about a cottage he owns in Ireland. But the damage done to Dodd’s standing with Connecticut voters can’t be recovered through a few select media appearances. It took 30 years to get here and it may take more than the 20 months he has before the next election to make things right. That’s why there’s nearly a half dozen Republicans running, or considering running against him in 2010.

No matter how well Dodd can explain any of the individual strikes against him, his bigger problem is a pattern of behavior that has developed over the years. His judgment can now be brought into question. Was he really serving the best interests of Connecticut when he served as chairman of the national Democratic Party? Did it really make any sense for him to run for president? What did moving to Iowa tell us about his focus? When he sought a presidential pardon for Edward Downe, was he helping a man who had turned his life around, or abusing his position to help a friend? And what about his competing stories on AIG?

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Obama and Hill had more money and the lesser candidates need to get more exposure.
The other things are questionable. He is my Senator and perhaps its time for him to retire. Some can stay 30 or more years and its no problem. Some stay 5 years and they are ruined. Perhaps Dodd has worn out his welcome. I don't however want a Rethug for a Senator. Dodd is way better then that. We would need a viable Dem and there might not be one that steps up to the plate. Tough decisions here.

doubts that he is going to make it in the next election. I haven't talked to anybody who has defended him. Mostly, I feel he is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party here in the state and nationally. If Rob Simmons runs against him I predict Rob will win. Simmons had a pretty good reputation as a congressman but was turned out in favor of a progressive Dem in a very bad election year for republicans. The next election will be different...