Connecticut's Dodd, Still Trailing But Improving, Up With New Ad

Here's some good news for Sen. Chris Dodd, the Connecticut Democrat who is seeking a sixth term next year: He now trails his likely Republican opponent, former Rep. Rob Simmons, by 45-39 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this week. That 6-point margin is an improvement from the 16-point deficit he faced in the Quinnipiac poll back on April 2.

Here's the bad news: The poll shows that Connecticut voters still disapprove of Dodd by a 53-38 percent margin. His numbers have improved over the past two months, "but they are still lousy," said poll director Doug Schwartz. And businessman Merrick Alpert, a total political unknown who is challenging Dodd in the Democratic primary, is nonetheless getting a quarter of the vote.

 

Click here for full poll results.

Listen to Brian Naylor's piece on Dodd's problems, which aired on NPR's Morning Edition on May 21.

Dodd up with new ad. Dodd has a 30-second TV ad featuring President Obama, who praises the senator for his role in putting together the new credit card reform bill.

Dodd's Senate campaigns: Since winning the seat of the retiring Abe Ribicoff (D) in 1980, Dodd has never dipped below 59 percent of the vote.

1980: Defeats ex-NY Sen. Jim Buckley (R) 56-43 percent.

1986: Defeats ex-state Rep. Roger Eddy (R) 65-35 percent.

1992: Defeats millionaire businessman Brook Johnson (R) 59-38 percent.

1998: Defeats ex-Rep. Gary Franks (R) 65-32 percent.

2004: Defeats businessman Jack Orchulli (R) 66-32 percent.