Dodd's poll numbers tanking badly

February 16, 3:50 PMDC Republican ExaminerBill Dupray

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Sen. Chris Dodd (D. Conn) likes his waitress sandwiches
lean without too much Kennedy on top.
(AP Photo/Douglas Healey)

Sen. Chris "Waitress Sandwich" Dodd (D.-Conn), is up for reelection next year and his prospects are such that he might need a job working with that waitress come next November.

From the Norwich Bulletin via Instapundit.

Can you smell the blood in the water? The National Republican Senate Committee can, and the sharks are circling. . . .

There’s no announced Republican candidate yet to challenge Dodd in next year’s Senate race, but the campaign is in full swing nonetheless. And with good reason. Dodd is vulnerable, and his re-election bid is in trouble.

Poll numbers down

Last week’s Quinnipiac University poll shows Dodd with his lowest ratings ever. Only 41 percent of those polled approved of the job he’s doing; 48 percent disapprove. And even without a challenger, 51 percent said they would likely vote against Dodd next year.

Those are the “overall” opinions. When asked specifically about the mortgage issue, poll director Douglas Schwartz said, “the mortgage controversy has taken its toll on his approval ratings. Most voters (54-24 percent) are not satisfied with Dodd’s explanation and (56 percent) say they are less likely to vote for him next year because of it.”

Connecticut is a quirky state, with the likes of Democrat Joe Lieberman having to leave his own Party and run as an independent to beat the Democrat (and the Republican in the general). Connecticut has had several Republican governors, including the current one, Jodi Rell, who has a 75% approval rating. So it is not out of the question that a damaged tool like Dodd could be beaten. It looks like the GOP may have just the candidate to administer the beating.

There are now suggestions former Republican Congressman Rob Simmons might be interested in taking on Dodd. Simmons met with committee chairman Sen. John Cornyn of Texas to discuss the possibility — and maybe that might be the reason behind the committee’s anti-Dodd media blitz. Simmons is said to be taking a serious look at a run for governor in 2010 — but only if incumbent Gov. M. Jodi Rell decides not to seek re-election.

Simmons would be a formidable challenger in a Senate race. He’s well-liked and highly respected by many, not just the Republican rank and file. He’s a fierce campaigner and knows how to raise money.

If the Democrats keep up the good work of dismantling the country at a clip of $1 trillion per month, guys like Dodd will be the poster boy for their landslide defeat next year.