Dodd's Donation Despair

Over the past month or so, we have seen reports that only FIVE individual donors from inside the state of Connecticut have thusfar donated to disparaged Senator Chris Dodd's reelection campaign. Well, harsh reality check- it's only four. A closer look at Dodd's quarterly report shows that one of the reported five is actually from Watertown, NY- not CT. Sorry Senator, 20% of your CT donor base just walked out the door with a New York driver's license.

As the race for the GOP nod heats up with former Congressman Rob Simmons and State Senator Sam Caligiuri already announced and former ambassador Tom Foley likely to enter the race, it will be an interesting battle to see who gets to take on the Dodd and remove him from Connecticut's eyes and disgrace.

Even some democrats are fed up with the Senator's shennanigans, as Roger Pierson appeared on Face the State this past sunday to discuss his possible primary challenge against Dodd.

Both Simmons and Caligiuri responded to Dodd's lack of donors through videos of their own, with Simmons calling five donors from CT to thank them for their contributions (www.joinrobsimmons.com) and Caligiuri with a trifle too long, but nonetheless effective, ad showing where all of Dodd's money is coming from- none from CT (www.samforussenate.com).

Here's an offer- Senator Dodd, I'll donate 200 dollars to help pay of your $180 grand in Presidential Campaign debt if you promise to move to your cottage in Ireland and never return again.

Dodd Dominated in Apr. 2 Quinnipiac University Poll

Good Thing Chris Dodd already found a new job at Chilli's since his days left in Washington are severly numbered. April 2's Quinnipiac University Poll placed the disembodied and disenfranchised Senator from AIG at 16 points behind former US Congressman Rob Simmons, 8 points behind Former US Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, and 4 points behind State Senator Sam Caligiuri (Quinnipiac University Poll, April 2, 2009- If the election were held today).

Perhaps even more astonishing- 33% disapproval rating. Almost unheard of for a 30 year incumbent. The coffin has begun being built on the senatorial career of the once powerful and respected member of the Washington Community.

Rob Simmons, appearing on Fox News's Hannity earlier this evening put it best: It means Connecticut residents don't trust Chris Dodd anymore.

And why should they? Considering 27% of respondents blame Dodd himself for the AIG bonus scandal. He moved to Iowa. He said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were doing just fine, weeks before they would have collapsed (the $133,00 donated from these companies to his campaigns may have been an incentive). He wrote the amendment that allowed the AIG bonuses to go through. Then he lied about it (New Haven Register March 20, 2009). He took sweetheart mortgages and then never disclosed the documents. Bought an Irish "cottage" that makes Windsor Castle look like a cheap summer home.

Perhaps more than a vote of confidence in the Republican candidates, however, this may be a striking and resounding lack of confidence in Chris Dodd. With nearly 88% of respondents not knowing enough about Sam Caligiuri to form an opinion, and even 47% about Rob Simmons, these numbers really speak for themselves: Chris Dodd's days are over.

(The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. Its margin of error for the April 2 poll was +/- 2.9%)