Sen. Chris Dodd has made the list of politicians to watch in 2010, but that’s not a good thing.
Politico names Dodd among the 25 politicians to watch and says he “remains a key legislative player,” but points out that things don’t look great back here in Connecticut.
The Cook Political Report’s take on the race for Dodd’s seat “lean Republican” is a factor.
The race is so tough that some Democrats have discussed – in private anyway – the possibility of Dodd stepping away and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal stepping into the race, the New York Times reports.
To date, that has not happened, so Democrats are putting their hopes in a contentious and expensive Republican primary to take the heat off Dodd, the Times reports.
Two of Dodd’s fiercest competitors -- Republican candidate Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, and former Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons -- have been on the campaign trail and spending money for months. Now that 2010 is here, it’s only going to get more intense.
But, after the primary, the spotlight is likely to be back on Dodd and some Democrats are concerned about facing McMahon come November, the Times reports. McMahon’s camp, the Times reports, is prepared to spend $30 million.
Politics
As of Nov. 30, 2009, Dodd had spent almost $1.8 million and has $2 million, according to Federal Election Commission reports.
McMahon spent $2 million in the same time frame and has $1.45 million, FEC reports say.
Simmons has spent $635,000 and has more than $1 million on hand.
