Connecticut’s Attorney General Will Seek Dodd’s Senate Seat

[SecularMotion]

Source: NY Times

Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut’s Democratic attorney general, said Wednesday he would run for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Christopher J. Dodd, who plans to announce his retirement later in the day.

In a telephone interview, Mr. Blumenthal praised Mr. Dodd and said he would be “proud and honored” to succeed him in the Senate. Mr. Blumenthal said he plans to announce his candidacy Wednesday afternoon in Hartford.

Mr. Dodd had been facing an increasingly difficult re-election fight in the traditionally Democratic state of Connecticut, and party officials believe Mr. Blumenthal will be a stronger candidate against a Republican attempt to win a Senate seat that has been held by Democrats for 46 years.

Mr. Blumenthal, considered a golden boy of New England politics, had been biding his time for a moment like this.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/nyregion/07conn.html

[skipos]

1. I have heard pretty good things about Blumental

and his chances to win.

[CTyankee]

5. DU should be prepared to "fall in love" with this guy!

It won't be the same excitement as with Ned Lamont, but it will be better. Dick is solidly progressive and has a wonderful record as attorney general. His office has helped countless citizens of our state in his role as consumer advocate. I know him from his support of Planned Parenthood. He's smart and he's taken on some mean characters. A great addition to the U.S. Senate...

[calico1]

8. I wonder what Rob Simmons and the wrestling woman

are thinking now. LOL

I am so happy that Dodd did the right thing and that Blumenthal is running. He is very popular here and has always smoked his opponents in the elections. So barring some major scandal I don't think things are looking good for the Republicans now.

:)

[Robbien]

11. Dear Wall Street, Your Worst Nightmare May be Coming To The Senate

During his tenure as AG, Blumenthal has gone after large, publicly-hated corporations whenever possible.

Among Blumenthal's targets: Countrywide and the hedge fund lobby.

Not a happy thought for the rich fatcats who loved Dodd

[brendan120678]

2. Yep, with Dodd exiting and Blumenthal entering...

I think that this Senate race went from "leaning Republican" to "safely Democratic."

[MidwestTransplant]

3. Awesome. Now it's a safe seat.

[shotten99]

4. Now if only Reid would retire

and hand over leadership to someone with balls..

[earthside]

6. Hear! Hear! n/t

[tonysam]

9. That means the GOP takes his seat.

It's one thing to want Reid from the Senate majority leader post, but it's another to say he should not be re-elected.

There is NO Democrat of any note running against him in the primary. None.

[kpete]

7. (Connecticut Attorney general) Blumenthal ready to announce (Dodds Senate Seat)

Source: WTNH

Blumenthal ready to announce

Updated: Wednesday, 06 Jan 2010, 6:49 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 06 Jan 2010, 6:49 AM EST

(WTNH) - Connecticut Attorney general Richard Blumenthal is ready to jump into the race for U.S. Senate.

Blumenthal has scheduled a Noon news conference to announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for US Senate.

Incumbent Senator Chris Dodd is expected to announce today he will not seek re-election.

"I admire and respect Senator Dodd's decades of service to the people and state of Connecticut," Blumenthal told WTNH this morning. "He deserves gratitude for that service.

Read more: http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/connecticut/blumenthal-senate-candidacy

[Nye Bevan]

10. Good video of him sparring with Glenn Beck over the AIG bonuses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goNw7cu1G3g

BTW the title is very misleading. Far from being "destroyed" by Beck I think Blumenthal keeps his cool admirably in the face of Beck's bloviating.

[connecticut yankee]

12. I am overjoyed!

Dick Blumenthal has been an outstanding AG. He has fought Big Tobacco with a vengeance, and always stood up for the "Little People."

Those of us who have been active in Connecticut Democratic politics have been urging him to run for higher office for many years, but he's always been reluctant, afraid of losing his AG position and gaining nothing.

He'll make mincemeat out of Rob Simmons.

PS -- I like Chris Dodd very much, and I honor his position in stepping down.

[derby378]

13. Conn. AG running for fellow Democrat Dodd's seat

Source: Washington Post

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he decided to seek the U.S. Senate seat of fellow Democrat Chris Dodd so he could fight against scams and special interests.

Blumenthal announced his decision to run Wednesday at Democratic headquarters in Hartford, just hours after Dodd announced that he would not be seeking a sixth term in November.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010601377.html

[FLAprogressive]

14. K&R -- Hopefully banks won't be able to buy him like they did with Dodd.

[Po_d Mainiac]

17. yup...Dodd=AIG lapdancer, and butt wipe..:grr: adios MF n/t

[pmorlan1]

15. What's Going On?

What's up in Washington with two Democratic Senators not running again? Dorgan and Dodd not running when the Democrats control the Senate? I wonder what they know that we don't?

[DesertFlower]

16. dodd probably would have lost.

dorgan has been in the senate for 40 years. he wants to do something else with his life.

[usregimechange]

18. We'll keep this one, if Dems are still a part of we.