Chris Dodd's Sinking Ship: Will He Bring Democrats Down With Him?

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do not be surprised if Obama fast tracks illegal imigration.
If successful, it adds 500,000 votes to CT election in 2010
DODD WINS DODD WINS
His must resign NOW

Howard E Harper of CT 1:26PM April 09, 2009

Dodd is a failed politician because he never was competent at national politics. He was apparently good at charming Conn. voters, and he obviously learned to play group think in the Senate; but, hey, we have incompetent politicians all over the continent who are good at charming voters in their respective electoral districts and also are good at group think in the House and Senate.
It is to be hoped that the US MSM soon discovers there is more to politics than electioneering. So far, though, there is little evidence to sustain this hope. In any event, one can safely say the Democrats with Obama are rapidly proving they are just as incompetent at governing as the Republicans were under Bush. In both cases, the party has said in effect: "we got the vote; we do what we want with the power; you don't like it, your problem." Indeed.
It is a very serious problem for the whole nation that neither party's senior hacks understands that the power they gain when elected is not "their" power. It is national power, and they abuse it at the peril of the whole nation. Example: governing the banking and financial industry into disaster has been a bipartisan affair for three decades, since Carter began "deregulation." Carter was following the business crowd. In politics it never matters which crowd you are following; what matters is that crowds are uncivilized beasts, and they need political leadership or they destroy everything they touch. Seems the whole US has a severe political leadership shortage. Also seems that every nation's leaders outside the US understands this far more than our own "leaders" who are still following the crowd of corrupt bankers and financial industry "leaders."

Walter J. Smith of OR 8:45AM April 07, 2009

I live in CT and virtually everybody I talk to wants Dodd out asap! I have said for the past couple of months that he will not resign as it would be the honorable thing to do. I would bet any amout of money that President Obama will give him the out by 'asking' him to leave the Senate to better serve his country as (FILL IN THE BLANK). The Toricelli scenario will come into play for us next year without a doubt.
I have seen many of the people stepping up to challenge Dodd in 2010 and hands down so far, that person is Sam Caligiuri. I do not work for him and I am not related to him. However, I saw his announcement to challenge Dodd and this guy is the real deal.(You can see it at SAMFORUSSENATE.COM)
He is quick on his feet, did not succumb to Sean Hannity's pressure to call Dodd a lying weasel, and is not power hungry. He has risen to many challenges, including stepping into a mayor's office when the sitting mayor was arrested on child porn charges.
The only problem his critics site, is can he raise enough money to compete as he doesn't have 'friends' at AIG, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, etc like Senator Dodd. I think he will more than offset this by how hard he works. Although it will not be easy, I ask everybody who wants Dodd out of office now to at least take a look at Mr. Caligiuri and see if he wants the same for your Country and your children that you do. We need real change in 2010....please step up and get involved regardless of your political party.
Bill Evans-Contributor
OurPromiseToAmerica.org

Bill Evans of CT 6:13PM April 06, 2009

Michael:
Don't oyu think Chuck Schumer's role in instigating IndMac's collapse (he created a run on the bank via his "open" letter to the regulators published in the WSJ) would disqualify him from the banking leadership role in the senate?

Anonomous of OH 3:54PM April 06, 2009

Mr. Barone -- This is a great article/blogpost, which reminds me of your glory days at the Almanac of American Politics. It's been sad to see you turn to right-wing talking points for much of your work on this blog rather than this sort of nuanced, but still opinionated analysis. Please write more in this vein.

rnabe of FL 6:50PM April 05, 2009

By the time Carville, Pagala, Rahm Emanual and the MSM get through with the Republican, Dodd will look like honest Abe.

Rick of PA 4:02PM April 05, 2009

Wishful thinking Michael, wishful thinking!

GTFOOH of CA 2:24PM April 05, 2009

But does that make him different from 90% (I'm being charitable) of politicians? You know, it's pretty hard for politicians to call out their brethren when they all have skeletons in their closets, or should I say - dirty money in their freezers.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 1:24PM April 05, 2009

Quinnipiac University polls have been particularly reliable indicators of political fortunes and failures. Senator Dodd should take heed of these numbers. The steady decline will inevitably lead to a new senator being seated for the state of CT.

Brian of CT 10:13PM April 04, 2009

What a beautifully written article. Please do another one like that on Barney Frank.
During the '08 election season, Robert Prechter, the brilliant stock market forecaster, advised his readers to vote for whomever they preferred the least. Why would one do that? Because the grand supercycle bear market that we are in is going to bring them all down. It's going to pound them to a jelly. But seeing an individual such as Dodd removed from power will be particularly satisfying.

Steve of MN 12:29AM April 04, 2009