CHRIS DODD UPDATE: Huffington Post: “There’s also a big spend on political campaigns. For example, all of the US based public accounting firms like US Senator Christopher Dodd. It’s not the man, his party, or his politics, but his position that attracts the dollars. The Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee has significant influence over the legislation affecting the Big 4 public accounting firms. Another big recipient of the audit firms’ largesse is US Senator Charles Schumer. Early in the subprime crisis, he was heard demanding action from, of all people, the accounting firms. This is comical. After all, the public accounting firms pay Schumer to protect their interests, not the other way around.”

Plus, Hartford Courant: Chris Dodd – Rob Simmons Race Heating Up.

Dodd has come under heavy criticism regarding his refinancing of two mortgages – in Connecticut and Washington, D.C. – with Countrywide Financial, one of the nation’s most controversial mortgage lenders. Dodd was entered into a VIP program, but he has said repeatedly that he never sought any preferential treatment as a U.S. Senator on the powerful Senate Banking committee.

Regarding the months-long delays by Dodd and his wife, Jackie, in releasing information about the mortgages, Mann said, “They just believe they’ve done nothing wrong and so they don’t need to address it.”

The article says Dodd is a “seasoned and skilled campaigner,” so I guess that’s how they do things. Plus this observation:

This now poses the question: will painting Democrats as fatcats become a trend for the GOP? In New York’s 20th district special election, the NRCC has blasted venture capitalist Scott Murphy repeatedly for approving bonuses, and the GOP’s messaging in Connecticut could gain a national podium if, as a recent Quinnipiac poll indicates, it’s going to be a nail-biter. Just a thought.

Indeed.