Poll: Dodd Trails Simmons By Nine Points
A new Quinnipiac poll finds Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) continuing to lag in his 2010 re-election bid.
The numbers: Republican former Rep. Rob Simmons 48%, Dodd 39%, compared to a 45%-39% Simmons lead from two months ago.
Against the other Republicans in the race, Dodd edges state Sen. Sam Caligiuri by 42%-40%, essentially the same as a 41%-39% Dodd lead two months ago. Dodd is tied 42%-42% with former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, an improvement from a 43%-35% Foley lead two months ago. Dodd leads financial writer Peter Schiff by 43%-38%, with no prior Quinnipiac poll for comparison. The margin of error is ±2.5%.
From the pollster's analysis: "Sen. Dodd's numbers among Democrats are back to where they used to be with over 70 percent of Democrats approving of his job performance and backing his reelection bid. Perhaps Dodd's visibility in helping with President Barack Obama's agenda has brought some wavering Democrats home. But he still is struggling with Independents, who will be harder to win back than his own partisans."
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
The Democrats need to hold that seat. It's time for Dodd to retire.
July 23, 2009 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man up, Dude and stop being such an overreacting pussy! It's 16 months before the election and you're already screaming "we've lost."
Dodd will win even if Kennedy and Obama have to carry him across the finish line (which they're doing right now). His name will be attached to credit card reform and healthcare reform. No way he loses in a state as blue and CT.
July 23, 2009 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
But why put up with such a weak candidate and run the risk at all? He's had his run, it's somebody else's turn now.
July 23, 2009 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
And who is this "else" we should run? There's no guarantee that any generic democrat could do better.
Why hold on to Dodd? He's had a few missteps in the past year but look at his record for goodness sake. He's been a reliable liberal and is responsible for some great, progressive legislation. He filibustered FISA, for instance. Yet people like you are saying "get rid of him" when he hits a rough patch . . . 16 months before election.
I think he deserves much, much better than that.
July 23, 2009 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I respect his service but he got a little too close to the banks at the worst possible time, plus his constituents are just frankly getting tired of him. I don't believe in Senators-for-life. I don't live in Connecticut but I doubt the party there is in such tough shape that they couldn't come up with a more popular candidate.
July 23, 2009 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't believe in Senators for life. I believe in reelecting people who deserve it. IMO, Dodd deserves reelection.
He just happened to be close to an industry that is reviled this year. Next year, it'll be someone else. But there is no evidence that he has sold out his constituents. In fact, he has faithfully been on their side and on our side.
He stood up for liberal principles when it was unpopular. We owe him the same.
July 23, 2009 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dodd is done. The sooner you come to terms with it, the better off you'll be.
Connecticut will be a major battleground in 2010, and Republicans will make it so. The only hope Dodd has is that Peter Schiff gives Simmons a run, and can somehow beat him - as Schiff isn't the typical Republican candidate, and may not be supported as much by the Republican organization.
You can't get away with saying things like,
"This is not a time to be panicking about this. These are viable, strong institutions." [http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sen-dodd-calls-fannie-freddie-fundamentally-strong]
and
"I, just briefly will say, Mr. Chairman, obviously, like most of us here, this is one of the great success stories of all time (Fannie and Freddie). And we don't want to lose sight of that and [what] has been pointed out by all of our witnesses here, obviously, the 70% of Americans who own their own homes today, in no small measure, due because of the work that's been done here. And that shouldn't be lost in this debate and discussion. [Senate Banking Committee, Feb. 24-25, 2004]
You'll see those on TV all day everyday during the race, and don't think people aren't paying attention.
July 23, 2009 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ooooohhhh. Your case is soooo compelling. NOT.
Talk to me November, 2010 when Senator Dodd wins reelection.
July 23, 2009 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink