The Tripod

Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Dodd, preparing for an uphill battle for re-election next year, continues to make appearances throughout the state. On Tuesday, April 7, Dodd visited the fire headquarters in Middletown to discuss an amendment he worked on including setting aside federal funding for CT fire departments.

In a statement released by Dodd's office, President of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut Pete Carozza said, "This is yet another example of how hard Chris Dodd fights on behalf of firefighters every day […] Firefighters across the country should count Senator Dodd as one of their staunches allies in Washington."

Interestingly enough, as polls reflect numbers proving Dodd's position is shaky at best. Carozza is not the only one to refer to Dodd as a "fighter." Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who accompanied Dodd to Middletown last week, said to The Hartford Courant that "Senator Dodd is a model of fighting for the people of Connecticut."

Unfortunately for Dodd, on Friday, April 3, Quinnipiac University published poll results that had voters disapproving of the Senator's job performance 58-33, his lowest numbers to date. As of March 10, those numbers were 49-44 percent. Dodd trails both of his potential Republican opponents, State Senator Sam Caligiuri and former Ambassador Tom Foley. Matched against Rep. Rob Simmons, Dodd also loses 50-34 percent.

Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz stated that "A 33 percent job approval is unheard of for a 30-year incumbent, especially a Democrat in a blue state. Sen. Christopher Dodd's numbers among Democrats are especially devastating. Since the AIG controversy, his approval rating among Democrats is down to 51 percent, and only 58 percent of Democrats say they will vote for him against Simmons, who, at this point, is the best known and strongest Republican challenger."

The numbers seem to be a result of Dodd's recent entanglement with the AIG bonus scandal, in which Dodd first refuted his involvement in related legislation, and then later backtracked.

According to Quinnipiac University, 59 percent of voters are angry, while 33 percent are "bothered but not angry."

Despite these results, Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman predicts that Dodd will win the 2010 race.

As reported by a Tuesday, April 7 article published in the Courant, Lieberman said, "I've been there. It's obviously been a tough couple of months for Chris, some of it unfair […] But I'm convinced, based on what Chris Dodd has done for Connecticut and America, that he'll be re-elected. I think people will say, 'Hey, we've got a good senator here. Let's not lose him.'"

In further Connecticut news from Washington, Dodd and Lieberman announced on Thursday, April 2 that the state is receiving $25,879,723 to provide single-family housing loans and homeownership financing loans.

"In these tough economic times, the American dream of homeownership is out of reach for far too many Connecticut residents, but with these loans, that is going to change. These government-guaranteed loans will make the dream of homeownership a reality for many Connecticut families," said Dodd.

Additionally, over $3 million in federal funding is being allocated to fix up the courthouse. This move is part of a nationwide plan to convert federal buildings into "green" buildings.

"These funds will contribute to our economic recovery in the short term by creating jobs in Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven, while also helping to diminish our long term environmental impact," said Dodd.

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