The DSCC has just sent out a press release against former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT), who has declared his candidacy against Chris Dodd in 2010. And one thing is clear: Democrats are going to keep running against George W. Bush for years to come.

The statement begins with a Simmons quote from 2004: "I am a big fan of the president's and I am quite proud to be a Republican, and agree with him on many issues." The rest of the release then goes on to link Simmons to Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff, on top of the George W. Bush link.

Simmons held his House seat for three terms, but then lost re-election by a margin of 83 votes out of over 240,000, in the big Democratic year of 2006. A recent Quinnipiac poll gave him a 43%-42% edge over Dodd. So expect the Dems to make this race about Bush as much they can -- after all, it sure worked across the whole country in 2006 and 2008.

Full DSCC statement after the jump.

DSCC STATEMENT ON ROB SIMMONS CANDIDACY

Simmons on Bush: "I am a big fan of the president's and I am quite proud to be a Republican, and agree with him on many issues."

[Hartford Courant, 3/25/04]

"Rob Simmons is no moderate - he was a staunch supporter of George Bush's failed economic policies and this race will be an opportunity to hold him accountable for that record," said DSCC Communications Director Eric Schultz. "As someone with close ties to Jack Abramoff and Tom Delay, Rob Simmons is a candidate who comes to the race with all the sins that have plagued this Republican party over the past eight years. Meanwhile Senator Dodd is working hard with President Obama to get this economy back on track, fight for Connecticut families, and deliver real relief for middle class families."

Simmons held a Fundraiser at Convicted Lobbyist Jack Abramoff's Restaurant. Simmons held a fundraiser at Signatures, a restaurant owned by Abramoff, and a place where Republican fundraisers were frequently held, on March 30, 2004. The invitation requested $1,000 PAC donations from each guest. [Hartford Courant, 4/17/05]

Simmons Accepted Donations from Convicted Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his Wife, Pamela. Simmons for Congress received $1,250 from Jack Abramoff and $1,000 from his wife, Pamela Abramoff. [Opensecrets.org]

Simmons Accepted $39,500 in Contributions from Tom DeLay's PAC. DeLay's Americans for a Republican Majority PAC (ARMPAC) has contributed $39,500 to Simmons for Congress. [FEC Disclosure, www.fec.gov]