Barack Obama

Obama Pushes For Consumer Protection Agency, Tells Dodd It's 'Non-Negotiable'

Rachel Slajda | January 20, 2010, 11:40AM

President Barack Obama

President Obama met with retiring Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) yesterday and, according to the New York Times, pushed Dodd on the creation of a consumer protection agency.

Dodd, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee, has reportedly been discussing dropping the agency in order to get Republican support on other financial regulatory reforms. Dodd recently announced that he will retire after this term.

But aides told the Times that for Obama, the agency is "non-negotiable."

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Richard Blumenthal

Another Poll Shows Blumenthal Way Ahead For Dodd's Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | January 7, 2010, 1:53PM

CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of Connecticut, conducted last night in the wake of Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd's retirement announcement, confirms that Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is now the heavy favorite to keep the seat for the party.

Blumenthal leads former Rep. Rob Simmons by 56%-33%; Blumenthal leads former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon by 58%-34%; and Blumenthal leads financial analyst Peter Schiff by 60%-24%. These results are fairly similar to yesterday's numbers from Public Policy Polling (D), which was conducted just before the news of Dodd's retirement and Blumenthal's entry into the race.

Dodd had been performing badly in previous Rasmussen polls. From the pollster's analysis: "With a single announcement, Chris Dodd transformed the Senate race in Connecticut from one that leaned in the GOP direction to a fairly safe bet for the Democratic Party."

Retirement

Report: Sens. Johnson, Cantwell To Take Over Dodd And Dorgan Chairmanships

Rachel Slajda | January 6, 2010, 1:03PM

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND).

Sources tell The Hill that Democrats have chosen Sens. Tim Johnson (SD) and Maria Cantwell (WA) to take over the committee chairmanships that retiring Sens. Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan will leave at the end of the year.

Johnson will take over Dodd's post on the Banking Committee. Senate leaders said in September that Johnson would succeed Dodd if Dodd chose to take over Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat on the HELP Committee. (Harkin took that chair instead.)

Cantwell will become chair of the Indian Affairs Committee. Although she is not the next ranking member, the four senators ahead of her already have chairmanships.

Richard Blumenthal

Poll: Blumenthal Already Way Ahead Of Connecticut GOP Senate Candidates

Eric Kleefeld | January 6, 2010, 12:30PM

CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

There is already a poll out of the Connecticut Senate race, demonstrating that Sen. Chris Dodd's (D-CT) retirement has drastically improved Democratic chances of holding the seat, with state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal holding landslide leads over the Republican candidates.

By a very fortunate coincidence, Public Policy Polling (D) was already in the field with a poll testing both Dodd and Blumenthal as Democratic nominees, in order to determine whether Democrats would do better by dumping the incumbent. The answer is an emphatic yes.

Dodd and Blumenthal were each tested against the three Republican candidates: Former Rep. Rob Simmons, former Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, and financial analyst and Ron Paul activist Peter Schiff. Dodd trailed Simmons by 44%-40%, was tied 43%-43% with McMahon, and led Schiff by 44%-37%. By contrast, Blumenthal leads Simmons by 59%-28%, is ahead of McMahon by 60%-28%, and leads Schiff by 63%-23%.

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Chris Dodd

Dodd's Retirement Could Improve Dem Chances To Hold Seat

Eric Kleefeld | January 6, 2010, 9:02AM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

The big news this morning is that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) is expected to announce at noon today that he is retiring from the Senate. While usually a retirement by an incumbent is bad news for a party, in this case Dodd's retirement almost certainly improves Democratic chances for holding the seat with a stronger candidate.

Connecticut is a Democratic-leaning state, which Barack Obama carried with 61% of the vote in 2008, but Dodd himself had consistently been running badly in the polls against his Republican challengers, largely as a result of the controversial mortgage he received from Countrywide Financial.

A Quinnpiac poll from this past November put Dodd's approval rating at only 40%, with 54% disapproval, compared to a 58%-35% rating for Obama. Dodd also trailed the two main GOP candidates, former Rep. Rob Simmons and former Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.

The other key factor here is that state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has already announced that he will run, and will officially kick off the campaign with a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. Blumenthal was first elected in 1990, and has been easily re-elected ever since. There not been any publicly released polling on the prospect of Blumenthal for Senate -- though as it turns out, Public Policy Polling (D) will be coming out with just such a thing later today, and we'll be sure to pick it up. But here's a key number on Blumenthal: The same round of Quinnipiac polling that gave Dodd such bad numbers in November also showed Blumenthal with an approval rating of 78%-13%.

Late Update: Ned Lamont, the 2006 Democratic nominee for Senate against Joe Lieberman, who is currently exploring a campaign for governor, released this statement:

"For three decades, Chris has been Connecticut's best friend, a powerful defender of the constitution and a tireless advocate for families and children. Chris, Jackie and their family deserve a short break, but I'm sure that there are many more chapters in Chris' life of public service."

"This announcement does not change my own plans. I will continue to explore a run for Governor because I believe the stakes for Connecticut are too high and that we need innovative, entrepreneurial leadership to kickstart our economy, create new jobs, and honestly balance our budget."

Chris Dodd

Dodd Internal Poll: He Can Win!

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 4:49PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Sen. Chris Dodd's (D-CT) campaign has released an internal poll, saying that the endangered incumbent's chances for re-election in 2010 aren't so bad as people think.

The poll, conducted by the Democratic firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, has Dodd trailing Republican former Rep. Rob Simmons by 51%-46%, and in a 46%-46% tie with former Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon. That might sound unimpressive for an incumbent, but consider that other recent polls have Dodd behind Simmons by around ten points. Then again, this is an internal poll that the campaign chose to release, so the obvious caveats apply.

"Once voters hear both positive and negative information about all three candidates, Dodd gains ground and leads McMahon by 5 points, 50 to 45 percent, and is in a statistical dead heat with Simmons, 49 to 48 percent," the polling memo says, though it's not immediately clear just what all of these pieces of information were. "Furthermore, voters respond positively to Dodd's work in the Senate, particularly on health care reform, the passage of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act, and Dodd's economic plan to help small businesses and create jobs."

Health Care

Out One Day Early? Reid Suggests Final Health Care Vote Could Come Tomorrow

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 11:23AM

Democratic Senators Harry Reid, Chris Dodd and Tom Harkin

First, a major DC snowstorm called into doubt whether health care reform legislation could pass the Senate by Christmas. Now, a major midwest ice storm is making it possible that the bill might pass earlier than expected.

In response to a question from TPMDC at a press conference this morning, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he remains hopeful that a final vote on health care might happen tomorrow

"We are focused on one thing, and one thing alone, and that is passing this bill," Reid said. "We hope to be able to debate tomorrow. Certainly with ice storms coming to the midwest, we hope that we can finish tomorrow and not have to be here [Christmas eve]."

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) confirmed to me after the event that there's an effort underway to speed the process along, so that members can get home before the midwest gets pummeled.

"I think there's some effort on that regard, but that's at a different pay grade than mine."

Chuck Schumer

Democrats Elated, Relieved After Pushing Health Care Reform Forward

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 2:09AM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

"The die is cast. It's done," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), moments after 60 Democrats signaled, with a single procedural vote, that they will stick together to pass health care reform.

As the clerk read the final tally aloud in the Senate chamber, Democrats, seated at their desks, muffled all of their emotions--enthusiasm, anxiety, relief. Sitting at his desk Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) clutched Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) and Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE)--his colleague on either side--by the arms. Members smiled and softly pumped their fists, but in accordance with the rules, the floor was mostly silent.

In the reception room just outside the chamber, Sen. Ted Kennedy's widow Vicki embraced Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and John Kerry (D-MA). Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, standing alone in the corner of the room, shouted a hearty congratulations to Dodd.

"Harry's going to almost have a drink," Schumer joked about the Mormon majority leader.

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CT-SEN

Biden: Dodd Is Getting 'Living Bejesus' Beaten Out Of Him

Rachel Slajda | December 11, 2009, 4:34PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Vice President Biden

Vice President Biden attended a fund-raiser in Hartford today for Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), who's facing a tough re-election campaign next year -- and he didn't sound too optimistic about his friend's chances.

"Chris is getting the living hell beat out of him, the living bejesus beat out of him,'' Biden said, according to the pool report. "Why? Because he's being a leader. This is going to be a hell of a race and it's an uphill race, but Chris Dodd will prevail.''

Dodd was scheduled to attend the $500-a-ticket fund-raiser, but stayed in Washington instead for votes.

Dodd has taken a big hit for his role as chairman of the banking committee through the time of bailouts and TARP. He had also been accused receiving sweetheart mortgages from Countrywide, although the Ethics Committee found he did nothing wrong.

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Health Care

Baucus, Dodd: Votes Likely Tomorrow

Brian Beutler | December 2, 2009, 6:59PM

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and key health care principals met with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Nancy-Ann DeParle, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and other officials to discuss, among other things, the GOP logjam preventing progress on a reform bill.

After the meeting, Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Max Baucus (D-MT) said there would likely be many votes tomorrow--the first of the debate.

Republicans, who have a long menu of obstructive options before them, have been blocking amendments for several days now, provoking the ire of Democratic leaders.

CT-SEN

GOP Field Against Dodd Shrinking, From Five Candidates To Four (And Maybe Three)

Eric Kleefeld | November 24, 2009, 2:06PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

The huge field of GOP candidates to oppose Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) has just gotten a bit smaller, and could shrink even further, as the state readjusts to an open gubernatorial race.

Former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley has announced that he is now considering a run for governor, in the wake of GOP Gov. Jodi Rell's announcement that she's retiring: "We no longer have an incumbent Governor seeking re-election. I have had a number of conversations with people who are encouraging me to consider running for Governor because they believe I could better serve Connecticut today as Governor than as a Senator. They believe that as an experienced executive and someone who understands the economy and how jobs are created, I have a background and set of skills uniquely suited to addressing the very serious spending problems and other economic challenges now facing our state."

State Sen. Sam Caligiuri has also announced that he's definitely out of the Senate race, and is instead running for the House of Representatives against second-term Democrat Chris Murphy.

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Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon: We Need To Focus On Real Issues, Not 'Fictitious Content' Of Pro-Wrestling

Eric Kleefeld | November 17, 2009, 5:10PM

Former Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (R-CT)

Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon, a candidate for the Republican nomination to run against Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), denounced Democratic attacks on her for the racy moments in pro-wrestling.

Connecticut Democrats have gone after McMahon for some of the WWE's content, including depictions of public sex, rape and necrophilia.

McMahon was asked about it in an online chat hosted by The Day:

WWE is a company that produces fiction. It's a soap opera that runs 52 weeks a year. I think instead of focusing on fictitious content, we need to focus on the issues that are real: unemployment, job creation, healthcare, education and the direction our country is taking in terms of fiscal issues. Those are the serious issues of the day, not the fiction that WWE creates for its entertainment product.

I will also say that the people I have spoken to around this state smile when I give the analogy that I don't believe the voters who elected Arnold Schwarzenegger expected him to show up in one of his outfits from the movie "Terminator" in Sacramento.

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Chris Dodd

Dodd In Trouble, New Poll Says

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 12, 2009, 9:48AM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) is struggling in his bid for reelection, according to a new poll out today from Quinnipiac University. Both big name potential GOP nominees now lead Dodd, with former Rep. Rob Simmons beating Dodd by double digits, 49-38. Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon, another potential GOP opponent, also beats Dodd by a slimmer margin.

But as the pollster said it in its release today, those names are just two of the problems Dodd faces:

"Even potential Republican contenders with almost no name recognition and almost no Republican primary voter support give Dodd a run for his money."

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CT-SEN

CT Dems Charge WWE Violated Campaign Finance Law By Removing Necrophilia Video

Christina Bellantoni | November 2, 2009, 11:19AM

Connecticut Democrats filed a Federal Elections Commission complaint today against Linda McMahon, her campaign and World Wrestling Entertainment, charging they violated the law by removing racy WWE videos last month.

McMahon (R-CT) is one of several candidates hoping to challenge Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) next year. She is the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and wife of WWE principal Vince McMahon.

After TPMDC and others posted videos of WWE scenes depicting simulated rape and a wrestler pretending to have sex with a corpse, they were taken down from YouTube.

We spoke at the time to WWE's VP of PR and corporate communications, who said accusations the removal had anything to do with politics are false, but Democrats charge the move is equivalent to a campaign contribution from a corporation.

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Chris Dodd

Key Senators React To Lieberman's Fuzzy Public Option Logic

Brian Beutler | October 28, 2009, 9:32AM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

One of the most puzzling things about Sen. Joe Lieberman's opposition to the public option is that he says it's based in a belief that a new government "entitlement" will end up being a large burden on taxpayers. In fact, the public option will be paid into (i.e. not subsidized like an entitlement) and the vast consensus among experts, partisan and non-partisan, is that a public option will save the government lots of loot. Moreover, they conclude that the bigger the plan is, the more money it will save.

Yesterday, I asked Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Lieberman's Connecticut colleague Chris Dodd (D-CT) what they thought of Lieberman's backward thinking.

Singing the praises of her preferred 'trigger' solution, Snowe said "[triggers] obviously can have a maximum impact...certainly, not as comparable to a full public option and what they want, but on the other hand what you're doing with the public option is basically crowding out the private sector, because of the government's, you know, inordinate advantage in the market place."

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Chris Dodd

Dodd: I Fought For A Public Option

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2009, 5:26PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)--who lead the HELP committee's health care process, and supported the public plan behind the scenes--is a very big reason this compromise came to life. He wants you to know that: "I fought for a strong public option - in the HELP Committee and in this merger process - because it is the best way to keep costs low and insurance companies honest," said Dodd.

Majority Leader Reid has made a bold and right choice to endorse the HELP Committee public option, along with a provision allowing states to opt out. At its core, health care reform is about making insurance more stable and affordable for those who have it, and available to those who don't, while improving quality and lowering costs. I believe that the public option is a key component to successful reform, and I will continue to lead the fight for it on the Senate floor.

Health Care

Gibbs: Obama Is 'Pleased' Public Option Included

Christina Bellantoni | October 26, 2009, 3:51PM

White House Press Sec. Robert Gibbs

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs issued a statement reacting to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's press conference on health care:

"The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we're closer than we've ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased that at the progress that Congress has made. He's also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition."

CT-SEN

McMahon Buys Statewide Airtime During Dodd-Obama Fundraiser

Christina Bellantoni | October 21, 2009, 2:30PM

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Candidate for Senate Linda McMahon

Senate hopeful Linda McMahon (R-CT) has bought airtime for a statewide campaign ad Friday aimed to compete with President Obama's fundraiser for Sen. Chris Dodd.

Dodd (D-CT) and Obama are doing a $1,000 per plate fundraiser as part of the president's political push this week.

McMahon, a billionaire who is the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, will speak to the camera for the 30-second ad. It will run throughout the state and also reach into the New York media market.

Campaign spokesman Ed Patru said:

"Chris Dodd has spent a career chasing special interest cash and looking out for their interests. He was asleep at the switch while the banking system crashed, then he rewarded his special interest friends in the financial industry with taxpayer-funded bonuses. He's created a mess and it's time for him to go. It's important for Connecticut voters to know that just as another 6,600 people in the state have lost their jobs, and the state's unemployment rate hits a 33-year high, Chris Dodd is calling in every last political favor he's built up over 30 years as a career politician, and scrounging for every last special interest dollar in an attempt to save his job. Linda will remind Connecticut's families of that Friday."

McMahon is one in a crowded field of Republicans hoping to unseat Dodd next fall, and we posted last week about the Connecticut Democrats going after her WWE ties.

Health Care

Dems Keep Quiet As Leaders Hash Out Key Health Care Details

Brian Beutler | October 20, 2009, 6:35PM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV); Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Senator Max Baucus (D-MT); Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Another day, and still a dearth of details. Senators and White House officials were almost comically tight-lipped throughout the afternoon on the progress of health care reform negotiations, even though it's clear by now that the people in the room hashing out the Senate's bill are getting down to the nitty gritty.

During a weekly caucus meeting, Democrats were briefed on the details of last night's health care powwow, yet, afterward, none were forthcoming with details.

"What I'm especially pleased about is that we're not rushing," said Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). "I'm sure there's some who are impatient."

"It wasn't a townhall meeting at all. It was more like a prayer meeting," said Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), who declined to divulge any specifics.

"We got into it a little bit, not a lot," added Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). "[Leadership is] extremely open and working with everybody."

In a moment of coyness gone awry, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters, "we're leaning towards talking about the public option." Last night his spokesman Jim Manley said, without going into detail, that Senate and White House negotiators discussed "the public option, affordability, and other key issues," during their evening scrum.

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Chris Dodd

Health Care Negotiations Between Senate, White House Continue Tonight

Brian Beutler | October 20, 2009, 10:06AM

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

The intricate process of turning two very different health care bills into one will continue tonight, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hosts Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Max Baucus (D-MT), and a number of high-level White House officials in his offices tonight.

Last night, Reid spokesman Jim Manley said the health care bill will come to the floor just as soon as a CBO cost estimate is available. Before negotiations got under way in earnest, Reid suggested that the Senate would begin debate on a single piece of legislation on October 26, but aides now caution that we're more likely to see action in the first or second week of November.

Before that time, negotiators will have to make some potentially monumental decisions, including whether or not the bill that comes to the floor will include a public option. We'll keep tabs for you.

Health Care

White House, Senate Principals Discuss Public Option, But Reach No Decisions--Talks Continue Tuesday

Brian Beutler | October 19, 2009, 7:36PM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV); Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Senator Max Baucus (D-MT); Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Senate health care leaders, and White House officials including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle and Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Harry Reid (D-NV), met behind closed doors for over an hour in a leadership office Monday night to discuss and negotiate the merging of two different health care bills.

A spokesman for Reid was mum about the details, except to say that the group discussed the public option, affordability and other issues at the heart of the plan to reform the nation's health care system.

The same officials are expected to huddle again Tuesday to continue the talks.

Health Care

The Big Huddle: Where Health Care Goes From Here

Christina Bellantoni | October 19, 2009, 6:30PM

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

Top Senate Democrats are huddling behind closed doors this evening with key White House advisors in hopes of crafting a health care bill that hits one big magic number: 60.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is the referee between Sen. Max Baucus' more conservative bill and Sen. Chris Dodd's more liberal one, and the White House deployed chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and presidential health care adviser Nancy-Ann DeParle.

It's a merger meeting extraordinaire.

The group has been quiet on goals for the evening, and the White House has taken a step back from official comments to let the Senate do its business. Aides know it's now in Reid's court to come up with a bill that can keep his caucus in line, though Hill staffers want President Obama to lay out his dealbreakers.

The group is under pressure to get a deal done quickly, but they also are attempting to avoid the media spotlight as dozens of reporters camp outside Reid's senate office.

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CT-SEN

WWE Removes Necrophilia Videos From YouTube After Dems Use Them Against McMahon

Christina Bellantoni | October 16, 2009, 6:05PM

A few hours after TPMDC detailed Connecticut Democrats using racy World Wrestling Entertainment scenes against GOP candidate Linda McMahon, WWE had YouTube remove the videos.

Connecticut political blog My Left Nutmeg caught their removal, but the Democrats mashed up the most eye-popping (and not-safe-for-work-or-children) scenes with voiceover of McMahon talking about how "PG" and "fun" WWE is. She's the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and wife of WWE principal Vince McMahon.

It's worth noting that WWE only removed a handful of videos, not the more than 500,000 that exist on YouTube. I've asked folks in their corporate headquarters for more information, and will update when they respond.

Also, a source points out that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), who McMahon hopes to defeat in 2010, has taken more than $922,000 from the TV and movie industry, according to OpenSecrets. The source wonders if Dodd condones violence and sex depicted on film.

Late update: WWE's VP of PR and corporate communications got back to me just now, saying accusations the removal had anything to do with politics are false.

"It's an ongoing battle with online piracy," Robert Zimmerman told TPMDC. "It's copyrighted material, it's our intellectual property."

He said they "scour" the Internet for their videos and said they go after all of them, not just ones used for political purposes.

"We would love to be able to take everything down," he said. "It's WWE content and if we own it we are asking them to take it down."

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 3:23PM

Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod.

• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).

• CNN, State Of The Union: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA).

• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), Sen. John Thune (R-SD), former Bush White House adviser Karl Rove, former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe.

• NBC, Meet The Press: White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), California First Lady Maria Shriver, Center for American Progress president John Podesta.

CT-SEN

CT Dems: WWE Clips Suggest McMahon Condones Necrophilia

Christina Bellantoni | October 16, 2009, 1:44PM

Connecticut Democrats have unearthed some generally gross videos of WWE scenes as evidence they say proves GOP candidate Linda McMahon has "no place" in the Senate.

Billionaire McMahon (R-CT) is one of several candidates hoping to defeat Sen. Chris Dodd (D) in the 2010 race. She's the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and wife of WWE principal Vince McMahon.

In a release today, the Connecticut Democratic Party sent reporters links to WWE videos they say objectify women. Among the videos are wrestlers engaged in a simulated rape, a public sex scene and one depicting a wrestler having sex with a corpse. Warning, the video clips are very much not safe for work.

Read more »

Health Care

After Tense Health Care Discussion, Dems Predict Unanimity On Reform

Brian Beutler | October 15, 2009, 2:52PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

After what Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) indicated was a tense health care discussion, Senate health care leaders declared, confidently, that the overhaul package that comes to the floor will earn every Democratic vote. However, they also made clear that the ultimate decision maker on key questions like the public option is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"Reid's making these decisions ultimately, and I think he's listening and...I feel good about it," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

"Conrad spoke out for co-ops," Brown said, "six or seven people spoke out for [the public option]," adding later that the pro-public option senators were articulating a policy preference, and not pressuring Reid to act one way or another as he weaves two competing Senate bills together. Nobody, he says, spoke out against a public plan.

Brown's confidence springs from a belief that conservative Democrats do not want to be held responsible for killing reform. "No Democrat wants to be on the wrong side of history and vote on a procedural vote to kill the most important domestic vote of their careers," Brown said.

But Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus went even further and suggested that every Democrat would ultimately vote for the final bill.

Read more »

Health Care

Senate Health Care Leaders To Brief Caucus On Shape Of Reform Bill

Brian Beutler | October 15, 2009, 9:56AM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV); Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Senator Max Baucus (D-MT); Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Yesterday's hour-long health care meeting between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Max Baucus (D-MT), and a number of White House principles didn't yield too many noteworthy public developments. But what went on behind closed doors will be the focus of a Democratic caucus meeting today, where health care leaders will brief their colleagues on the early stages of negotiations as they merge two competing pieces of health care legislation.

At the meeting, Democrats will be given a chance to air their concerns, though none is expected to draw a line in the sand over any issue. One of the key questions the caucus faces is whether to heed the will of the party's majority and include a public option in the overall Senate bill, or to defer to the concerns of the party's conservatives, a few of whom join the Republican minority in opposing the idea of creating a government insurance plan.

On hand yesterday from the White House were Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Legislative Adviser Phil Schiliro, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and OMB Director Peter Orszag.

Health Care

Reid Dismisses Schumer's Insistence That Public Option Is In His Hands

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2009, 2:54PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Speaking to reporters just outside the Senate chamber this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scoffed at the suggestion--articulated last night by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)--that the public option is simply in his hands.

"He would rather say anything so it wasn't up to him," Reid said, before departing for a meeting with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Chris Dodd (D-CT). The four will hold the first meeting about how to shape a health care bill that will soon be introduced on the Senate floor.

Other senators have been significantly less vocal than Schumer (at least in public) with respect to what steps Reid should take to include the public option. I caught up with Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and asked him whether he agreed with Schumer. He said, "I'm definitely for the public option, I want it included in the final bill. I'm gonna leave it up to the Majority Leader's judgment and the vote of the Senate as to when that's going to take place."

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) was less forthcoming. "I never second guess the leadership on what kind of procedural moves they make," he said. "I just vote as I choose. I don't comment on their decisions."

Health Care

Key Senators, Rahm, To Hold Inaugural Meeting On Senate Health Care Bill

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2009, 10:13AM

Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel

At 2:30 this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will host Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the first of several meetings presaging the merger of two major health care bills. The foursome is expected to discuss key issues at the heart of the reform process--affordability, Medicare, the public option, revenues--but no decisions are expected today.

The meeting kicks off a process that may be the most important of the entire health care debate. Reid, in consultation with Senate health care leaders and White House officials will crib from the Senate HELP Committee's health care bill, and the more conservative Senate Finance Committee health care bill, which was voted favorably out of committee after multiple delays yesterday.

Reid and the White House will be the focus of a great deal of attention in the coming days from the liberal base, which is adamant that health care reform include a public option, and that party leaders prevent rank and file senators from joining Republicans in a filibuster of the final bill. If Reid decides that the legislation he brings to the floor will include a public option it would be a game changer--and public option supporters within his own party aren't being shy about their preference.

Additional reporting by Christina Bellantoni

Chris Dodd

Poll: Dodd Still Trails In Connecticut, But Is Inching Up

Eric Kleefeld | September 17, 2009, 9:47AM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

The new Quinnipiac poll in Connecticut suggests that Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd could be beginning to climb out of the hole he's been in -- but he's still most definitely in it.

Former Rep. Rob Simmons, the GOP establishment favorite, leads Dodd by 44%-39%, down from a 48%-39% lead in July. The margin of error is ±3.2%

Dodd's approval rating is at 43%, with a disapproval of 49%, but this too is an improvement over his 42%-52% rating in July. In addition, 40% of registered voters say he is honest and trustworthy, compared to 51% who say he is not, up from a 35%-55% deficit in July.

From the pollster's analysis: "Sen. Christopher Dodd's approval keeps edging up, and he is bringing down his high negatives. For the first time in six months, his disapproval is under 50 percent, just barely."

CT-SEN

Economist Peter Schiff Announces Run Against Chris Dodd

Rachel Slajda | September 17, 2009, 9:21AM

Peter Schiff

Economist Peter Schiff will run for Chris Dodd's Senate seat, he announced today on MSNBC.

Schiff, an economist who runs a brokerage firm, has earned fame over the past year for his book, called Crash Proof: How to Profit from the Coming Economic Collapse, and his predictions that the economy would collapse. He's running as a Republican and already faces four challengers in the primary: former WWE CEO Linda McMahon, State Sen. Sam Caligiuri, Former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley and former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, who's seen as the front-runner.

"I can't sit idly by and watch a train wreck in slow motion," Schiff said this morning.

"The main reason I think we should get rid of Chris Dodd is, he represents everything that is wrong with Congress. He is potentially the poster boy for the economic crisis, [and for] the much bigger crisis we're gonna go through over the next few years if someone doesn't go to Washington and put a stop to these destructive policies," he said.

The state Democratic party has already released a statement attacking Schiff for his lack of experience.

"The fact that I haven't had experience ruining the country, that I haven't brought the banking system to its knees," he said, "that's my greatest attribute."

Read more »

CT-SEN

Pro-Wrestling Executive Officially Launches Bid For GOP Nomination Against Dodd

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2009, 1:29PM

Former Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (R-CT)

Linda McMahon, the CEO of Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment, has now officially resigned her position in order to run for Senate in 2010 against Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) -- joining a crowded Republican field, despite the NRSC's efforts to rally behind former Rep. Rob Simmons.

In her announcement video, McMahon introduces herself, touts her long experience in business, and pledges to run an unconventional campaign: "For starters, I won't be accepting campaign contributions from PAC's or other special interest groups -- and I will limit all contributions from individuals to $100. I think Connecticut deserves a Senator that isn't bought and paid for by the banks and Washington special interests."

To her credit, this is a pretty good video. Then again, another video of her has been making the rounds -- the sort of thing that might detract from her efforts to be taken seriously.

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Chris Dodd

Poll: Dodd Trails Simmons By Ten Points

Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 4:32PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

A new Rasmussen poll finds that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) continues to trail former Rep. Rob Simmons, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

The numbers: Simmons 49%, Dodd 39%. Former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley also leads Dodd by 43%-40%. Dodd leads state Sen. Sam Caligiuri by 43%-40%, and edges out financial commentator Peter Schiff -- a favorite of the Ron Paul crowd -- by 42%-40%.

The state remains good ground for Democrats overall, though. Connecticut voters approve of President Obama by 59%-39%, and they also favor the health care reform plan by 52%-46%. Dodd, however, is still stuck in the mud for now.

Chris Dodd

Dodd Chooses Not to Take Kennedy's HELP Committee Gavel

Brian Beutler | September 9, 2009, 9:05AM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

In a move that comes as a fairly big surprise, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) will reportedly announce today that he is not taking over the chairmanship of the Help, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which became vacant upon the death of Ted Kennedy. Dodd had been expected to take up Kennedy's mantle, leaving a vacancy on the Banking Committee, which he currently chairs.

The HELP chairmanship will instead go to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), who is next in line after Dodd. Dodd had been the focus of much attention, because if he had taken the HELP chairmanship then Banking would have gone to Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), whose home state is a major base for the credit-card industry.

To round out the game of musical chairs, Harkin will have to vacate the Agriculture Committee chairmanship, which will likely be filled by Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)--the only senior member of that committee who doesn't already have a chairmanship.