Dodd Getting a Primary opponent,, Here we go again.

[Perky]

What is it with Connecticut

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Embattled Sen. Christopher Dodd is getting a Democratic challenger.

Connecticut businessman and former Air Force officer Merrick Alpert plans to launch a 2010 primary campaign against Dodd, who faces his toughest re-election in five terms. The official announcement is expected Tuesday.

Alpert said in a video on his Web site that many Democrats have lost faith with Dodd for becoming a career politician who is part of the ''culture of corruption'' in Washington.

''He's beholden to the very special interests we sent him there to protect us from,'' Alpert said in the video.

Dodd's campaign manger said Dodd was devoting his energies to his Senate work.

''Chris Dodd is focused on his job, working with President Obama to usher through historic change and fighting every step of the way for Connecticut families,'' said Jay Howser, citing Dodd's work on a bill to end credit card industry abuses.

Alpert was an advance man for former Vice President Al Gore, his Web site says.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Dodd's popularity has slipped in the financial meltdown and after his failed 2008 presidential bid. Dodd set off a home-state backlash after temporarily moving his family to Iowa for several weeks before his poor showing in the caucuses.

Dodd has faced other criticism for his Wall Street fundraising; his role in writing a bill that protected bonuses for executives at bailed-out insurer American International Group Inc; his initial refusal to release documents about his two controversial mortgages with Countrywide Financial Corp.; and his financing of a vacation cottage in Ireland.

Republicans Rob Simmons, a former congressman, and state Sen. Sam Caligiuri also are running.

Dodd, who has about $1.4 million cash on hand, is expected to maintain a fundraising advantage over his rivals. He spent nearly $6 million for his 2004 re-election and will likely need considerably more for his 2010 race.

Alpert is among Dodd's past contributors, writing two checks for $2,100 apiece in October 2006 and one check for $200 in 2004, federal campaign records show.

Dodd has close ties to many leading party figures, including President Barack Obama who recently said he will back Dodd's re-election effort.

The state's other senator, Joe Lieberman, was toppled in a primary challenge three years ago by Ned Lamont. Lieberman left the Democratic Party and was re-elected in 2006 as an independent.

Connecticut is a Democratic-leaning state that Obama won handily.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/18/us/politics/AP-US-Dodd-Challenger.html?_r=1

[DrToast]

1. 30% approval ratings tend to do that

[Perky]

2. but isn't this all reaction to bailouts and bonuses?

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

3. Merrick Who ? Never heard of him.

Dodd has been very visible in the state lately - trying hard to mend fences.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

4. Quite an impressive resume

http://merrickforachange.ngphost.com/bio

He's got every voting group covered - Hispanic, military, Jewish, single mothers, entrepreneurs, lawyers.

Dodd is going to have a tough time beating him, IMHO.

[DJ13]

5. Well then I guess Dodd might have to (GASP!) start voting

the way his constituents want, instead of the way his banking buddies want.

Thats a terrible thing to do to a guy with his record.
:sarcasm:

[xchrom]

6. i should hope he would have a challenger.

'party' can't be a stand in for ethics.

except for some --

[Mass]

7. It was in the works. Dodd is beaten in the polls by most of his potential GOP opponents.

We'll see what happens.