Exit Chris Dodd -- Good Riddance

If The Washington Post is to be believed, Democratic Senator Chris Dodd — you know, the chap with the “cottage” in Ireland, the sweetheart deals with various mortgage companies that you and I, with no patronage to dispense, could never wrangle, and a reputation for honesty that rivals that of Barney Frank — will announce later today that he is not seeking reelection. “Embattled Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd (D),” the paper reports, “has scheduled a press conference at his home in Connecticut Wednesday at which he is expected to announce he will not seek re-election, according to sources familiar with his plans.” Well, 30 years with his lips sewn to the public teat was probably enough, and, besides, Dodd’s poll numbers make Obama’s look good. The likely beneficiary of Dodd’s withdrawal is Connecticut’s Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal, around whom the nimbus of candidacy has been swirling for months. Blumenthal would certainly be a more creditable candidate than Chris Dodd. Would he be strong enough to defeat the likely challengers, former Congressman Rob Simmons or political novice Linda McMahon? As a Connecticut resident, I am rooting for Simmons, who I believe would have crushed Dodd. It will be interesting to see how the stars reconfigure themselves if Dodd does indeed withdraw. The Post suggests that both McMahon and Simmons would start “as an underdog in a general election matchup with Blumenthal.” Perhaps so. But underdogs have been known to win. And in this political environment, starting as an underdog may prove to be an bankable advantage.