2009.07.05: July 5, 2009: Headlines: Figures: COS - Dominican Republic: Politics: Congress: Politico: Washington Democrats try to bail out Chris Dodd

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Dominican Republic: RPCV Chris Dodd (Dominican Republic) : RPCV Chris Dodd: Newest Stories: 2009.07.05: July 5, 2009: Headlines: Figures: COS - Dominican Republic: Politics: Congress: Politico: Washington Democrats try to bail out Chris Dodd

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Washington Democrats try to bail out Chris Dodd

Washington Democrats try to bail out Chris Dodd

This offensive hasn't yet revived Dodd's flagging poll numbers, though there's been some improvement. But it has given the longtime incumbent an argument for reelection that Connecticut voters just might be willing to consider: Chris Dodd may be a Washington insider, but he's their Washington insider. "I think most people know Chris at this point, and know how they feel about him, not to be particularly moved one way or another by the president's support," said state Rep. Steve Fontana, who serves as vice chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party. But, he said, Dodd's intimate familiarity with Washington is one of the senator's strongest assets: "You've got to believe that he's got the ability to get the ear of very powerful people if he needs it, for something we need in the state." Whether that's a health-care bill, infrastructure spending or just a visit from the president, Democrats are talking up Dodd's ability to draw federal attention to his state. "The senator has tremendous political allies to call on," said Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, a Democrat mulling a run for governor next year. "Let me put it this way: I want to be leading the ticket that the senator is on next year, and I want Barack Obama to visit Connecticut 12 or 13 times." Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic in the 1960's.

Washington Democrats try to bail out Chris Dodd

Washington Democrats try to bail out Chris Dodd

By ALEXANDER BURNS | 7/5/09 6:56 AM EDT

With Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) facing an uphill battle to win reelection next year after a series of Washington scandals battered his popularity back home, President Obama and other national Democrats are sparing no effort to help him.

Despite the scandals which left his ethics called into question, the three-decade Senate veteran is not trying to shake his Beltway image. Instead, Dodd is working furiously to show the impact of his long service by racking up big legislative accomplishments - including, potentially, a health care reform bill - before the midterm elections. And some of the national Democratic Party's biggest names are coming in to back him up.

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) has cut a television commercial for him. Connecticut's independent junior senator, Joe Lieberman, penned a column in the Hartford Courant calling Dodd "an agent of productive change." The White House has honored him at four bill signings and President Obama even sent an email to 100,000 Democrats in Dodd's home state praising him for his "outstanding work on behalf of families in Connecticut and across the country."

This offensive hasn't yet revived Dodd's flagging poll numbers, though there's been some improvement. But it has given the longtime incumbent an argument for reelection that Connecticut voters just might be willing to consider: Chris Dodd may be a Washington insider, but he's their Washington insider.

"I think most people know Chris at this point, and know how they feel about him, not to be particularly moved one way or another by the president's support," said state Rep. Steve Fontana, who serves as vice chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party.

But, he said, Dodd's intimate familiarity with Washington is one of the senator's strongest assets: "You've got to believe that he's got the ability to get the ear of very powerful people if he needs it, for something we need in the state."

Whether that's a health-care bill, infrastructure spending or just a visit from the president, Democrats are talking up Dodd's ability to draw federal attention to his state.

"The senator has tremendous political allies to call on," said Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, a Democrat mulling a run for governor next year. "Let me put it this way: I want to be leading the ticket that the senator is on next year, and I want Barack Obama to visit Connecticut 12 or 13 times."

The key to Dodd's reelection strategy is to not just to showcase his D.C. influence, but to persuade voters that it has positive consequences for their own lives, said a consultant affiliated with Dodd's campaign.

"The fact that he's in the middle of everything important that's going on in Washington right now, that's a huge opportunity for us," said the Democratic operative. "Then, you've got to draw the nexus between the historic achievement and what it does for families."





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Headlines: July, 2009; RPCV Chris Dodd (Dominican Republic); Figures; Peace Corps Dominican Republic; Directory of Dominican Republic RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Dominican Republic RPCVs; Politics; Congress; Connecticut





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Story Source: Politico

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