Sen. Chris Dodd To Retire

[skytrekker]

Sort of a surprise that Dodd has quit the race.



Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd, a five-term Democrat whose political stock began falling after the financial meltdown and his failed 2008 presidential bid, has decided not to seek re-election in November, Democratic officials told The Associated Press early Wednesday.

Dodd was expected to make an announcement Wednesday. The officials who disclosed his plans would speak only on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement. The Washington Post first reported Dodd's decision.

Word of his retirement comes hours after North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan announced he will not seek re-election.

Dodd, 66, is chairman of Senate Banking Committee, which was at the center of efforts to deal with the economic meltdown. And he has played a prominent role in the debate over overhauling health care, taking over for his friend Ted Kennedy during his illness and then after his death.

Given Dodd's bad poll standing, other Democrats have gone out of their way to give him the spotlight in hopes he could recover before November. With the embattled Dodd stepping aside, Democrats can now try to recruit a more popular candidate to run in Democratic-leaning state, bolstering the prospects of thwarting a Republican victory. Among the early favorites to replace Dodd is longtime Connecticut state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who is seen as one of the state's most popular politicians.

"Republicans thought they might steal this seat, but now they should probably look elsewhere," said Roy Occhiogrosso, a veteran Democratic strategist in Connecticut and a Dodd supporter. "This is Dick Blumenthal's race. People in Connecticut know who he is. They know the work he's done. They know he can go to Washington and continue the same kind of work."

[BayBreeze]

I saw that - not really surprised. Starting to see a pattern here. Senator Byron Dorgan (D) along with Gov. Bill Ritter (D) have ditched their plans to run for re-election.

[Wyoming53]

Wonder if Dodd was pressured by the "Party" to step aside and allow new blood?

[skytrekker]

WY

There may have been some pressure to leave- but I feel after 30 years in the Senate- he is simply burned out, And he has accomplished much- there is not much more he can say he has done. Plus he recently had cancer- he has two daughters and a wife who live in bucolic East Haddam Connecticut- see http://www.easthaddam.org/default.htm

and he has a home in Ireland-

He had enough sense it was time to move on- too bad many others do not follow his example and wear their welcomes out.