1 Dodd? Really? Now that I didn't see coming.

2 The Irish Cottage beckons.

3 I've got 'Senator' inscribed on my tomb already....bring it on!

4 OK, Arlen - your turn.

5 Hey, I quit. I can get visa's for foreign criminals easier this way....and my dickwad husband gets cash. Get it?

6 We should be down to seventeen Dems left by June.

7

8 And they're all white! Um, hang on a sec....

9 I'm sure they're all just retiring because they want to spend more time with their families. of their ill gotten wealth from a stint in the Senate.

FIFY

10

Dodd will have a lot more paper stuffed in his clothing than I did.

All cash.

11 And I'll still find a way to screw this up!

12 Toss in a waitress and I'll quit by 6:00 am.

13

Dodd? Really? Now that I didn't see coming.

sarc tag is missing

14 Reid next?

15 Great that he's leaving but when will he be brought to justice for his role in our economic colapse? He belongs in jail.

16 As much business as I'm throwing to hubby I'd be crazy to quit this gig. We're getting filthy rich selling America to China!

17

Gabe, why must you be such a tease??

Harry Red out...*drools*...

18 Why is everybody looking at me?

19

Too bad Teddy's not around any more to drive him home.

20 See what happens when you do that to me?

21 Good Riddance, but bad news for our side. If he stayed in, it was a sure win for GOP.  Now they will put up another super liberal without the baggage and cruise in CT.

22 I really was looking forward to Dodd' concession speech on election night.
The son of a bitch has cheated the whole way and now he's cheated us out of that.
Thanks Chris, now go get me a sangwitch.

23
Great that he's leaving but when will he be brought to justice for his role in our economic colapse? He belongs in jail.


Sadly he'll prolly end up on the Board of Directors of Fannie Mae

24 His internal polls must be brutal. If Dodd was withing 20 points he would still stay in. The ass thinks he's adored in CT or something.

25 Dodd retires, purveyers of waitress sandwich jokes hardest hit.

26 22, In past times yes, but these days, who knows? If times get bad enough CT will elect Sarah Palin.

27 Those internal polls must be uglier than Helen Thomas in the morning

Troubling though is that those with nothing to lose can do a shitload of damage

28 sarc tag is missing

Actually I was being serious. I didn't think anything would make him leave that primo spot and assumed CT voters are as dumb and gerrymandered as CA voters. (No offense to CT morons, you know I love you!)

29 Good things come in threes.

30 Well, I guess they're going to have at least ONE snake in Ireland.

31 I'm sure they're all just retiring because they want to spend more time with their families.

That's definitely the reason, since we know that once the public sees how super awesome that government healthcare is, we'll capture 80 seats

32
>>16 Great that he's leaving but when will he be brought to justice for his role in our economic colapse? He belongs in jail.

Maybe something is brewing and he was told what it is. Invest in popcorn futures..

33 I'm surprised that he's announcing on Wed. It'd be less humiliating if he'd waited until Friday.

34 Dem internal polling has to be pretty smelly just about everywhere.

35 28 Those internal polls must be uglier than Helen Thomas in the morning

These Dems are hitting the escape pods just as the contest for Fat Ted's old seat comes inside of 10 points. I wonder if their own polls show the seat being LOST?

Other than that, I wonder if something is coming up that's so bad that they're getting out of Dodge and the DemSM can't cover it up

36 Victory is mine! BWAAHAAAA!!
Ahh this rat frakker was high on the marka list for his rat frakker actions in our Dem primary...
eat it Dodd you AIG bonus giving, lecturing hypocritical tool!!

Dodd is one of the old white men of the DEM party who told Hillary to sit down and shut up and stop running, after HE withdrew, Dodd apparnetly felt Hillary should quit too

frakker

37 That headline be racist, dawg.

38 /karma list

39 22 and 32 You both are right. The corrupt Dems always rely on the stupidity of the liberal voting block to forget who was running before the corruption was exposed. In NJ Torricelli withdrew after the deadline for withdrawing from the race. New Jersey's super liberal Supreme Court allowed it and the voters found nothing wrong with that. I fear that the Connecticut voter's anger will be assuaged by a young new face.

40 The downside: their families will now run for office to get away from them.

41 everyone give Rob Simmons some dough!

42 Richard Blumenthal rushing to microphone in one...two...

43 Troubling though is that those with nothing to lose can do a shitload of damage

Suicide Senator (D-Jihad).
So apt.

44 Rats...sinking ship...some assembly required.

45 He might have some plane tickets and his passport in his hand when he announces.

46 Other than that, I wonder if something is coming up that's so bad that they're getting out of Dodge and the DemSM can't cover it up Where's Breitbart? That magnificent bastard must have something up his sleeve.

47 Just a wild guess here, but Ritter's problem is much more serious than poll numbers, he was down about 4% in very early polling, not an overwhelming deficit.

48 i'm so glad i clicked drudge before turning off the computer...and to think just mere mins ago i was in a bad mood. i might actually be able to sleep tonight. fuck you chris dodd you lying thieving son of a bitch. and blumenthal is on drugs if he's thinking about running that spineless little weasel holster of cock. the run up to this novemember will be epic no matter what the outcome.

49 Wonder if un-(re) electable dems  are being asked (threatened) to step aside this next election. Or Dems in states where a "moderate" dem has a strong chance of beating a republican.

50 And the arrogance of this prick to run for President.  What a friggin EGO.

51 Don't put Blumenthal in for sure.

He has a number of things going against him. He's Jewish and we already have Lieberman. He will be 64 in February. He's a big supporter of the Public Option and he's the ultimate nanny stater. He's sued everyone from Microsoft to Facebook.

There is also Rosa Delauro to think about. Yeah she old but she also has national democratic heft at least in the party. If she announces then everyone else goes home and the Republicans win easy.

52 Chris, don't let the door... (you know the rest, worthless cocksucker)

53 sweet

54 The R candidate just has to keep asking the D candidate, "So, in what ways are you different than Chris Dodd?"

55 Rum, I'm with you on Dodd, esp since I lived in CA for almost 20 years and saw that idiots like Pete Stark were always getting re-elected.  I assumed Conn. was that way, too.

56 Rob Simmons? Is that the principled libertarian/conservative that the RNC doesn't know? Where do I send my next $20?

57 This guy, along with Bawney Fwank, practically collapsed the economy of the whole planet. He should not be allowed to slink away and collect a pension, or worse, occupy another office.

58 So Dodd walks away with fat pension, nifty health care, a mortgage the rest of us can only dream about, perks galore and no doubt any number of offers to "consult" and "advise" shady businesses and government entities.

In his position, who would give a flying **** about a bunch of wingnuts thinking he has been disgraced? Laughing. All. The. Way. To. Bank.

Until the sonumbitch gets indicted, I see this as another insult to America.

59 Unfortunately, it looks like a Dodd/Blumenthal switch makes the seat secure for the Democrats.

60 If I recall correctly last year in the first quarter of the year Dodd received less than $600 in campaign contributions from CT residents.  A lot of people remember how he moved his family to Iowa to run in the caucuses.

61 But as I write that, keep hope alive. PPP was uber wrong about NY-23.

62
Looks like it's time to start moving desks back over to the Republican side of the aisle. Enjoy this while you can libs. You're days in charge can be measured by less than a year. See ya.

63 If New Jersey can do it, CT can, too.

64 Peter Schiff is the only one in CT that makes any fucking sense. The rest of them are either economically illiterate or political hacks.

65

Where do I send my next $20?

To Republican running for Senate in Mass.!!!  What a major win that would be!

66 I will say it is interesting that these people are all coming to the same conclusion at the same time.  crystal might have a very good point, the dems want power above all, and if they have to give someone a carrot (cushy do nothing high paying govt job) to get them out, they will do it.  I just hope the people in those states remember in Nov. why they are pissed right now.

Oh, and be prepared for massive voter fraud this year.

67

no doubt any number of offers to "consult" and "advise" shady businesses and government entities

The problem with that, is that Dodd really is a complete idiot.  You won't get your money's worth.  A wino with a bottle of T-bird in a brown sack would give better advice.

68

As others have already commented, Dodd's announcement really ticks me off.  We had a good shot at picking up that seat AND watching his sorry ass concede this November.  Now our shot at a pick-up is gone AND he gets to retire "gracefully."  Dammit, I wanted to watch that asshole go down in flames!  Oh well, watching Harry Reid lose will at least be a nice pick-me-up.

69

be prepared for massive voter fraud this year. 

I predict the Margin of Fraud to be well over 10% this year.

70
>>62 So Dodd walks away with fat pension, nifty health care...

Have you heard of the proposed 28th Amendment that will restrict Congress from getting these benefits?

71 On one hand, yeah, it's the only play the Dems have for trying to hold onto the seat and it may well make the job harder for the GOP.

On the other, it reinforces the public picture of stampeding Democrats, some of whom are likely to be grabbing for real estate brochures from non-extradition countries on their way out the door.

Harry's Bugout Brigade, flipping America the healthcare finger on their way out the door.

72 I don't think Blumenthal will run. The guy has his own personal fiefdom in the AG's office. Nobody will mess with him, not the legislature or the Governor.
He loves the job. Why trade that to be a junior senator with no heft at 64 years old? Plus he has to wait on people like Larsen and Delauro to say no first.
I think one of the Congress critters will run or Lamont.

73 CT went to Hell when Lowell Weiker became Governor and said, "Hey Connecticut, you sure do have a pretty mouth".

74 Santa, a lttle late but Thank You!!

75 Peter Schiff is the only one in CT that makes any fucking sense. The rest of them are either economically illiterate or political hacks.

Posted by: TexasJew at January 06, 2010 12:44 AM (dcKUM)

He's a Paul Nut, he's dead in the water.

76 Yeah, I suspect this is fear-of indictment related. Dodd is unbearable and what puts him over the top for me is his voice. He has a voice that suggests credibility but what he says is twisted-liberal liar

77 TheresaD - Pete Stark would have been a washed-up memory from the '60s a whole long time ago if his district weren't gerrymandered to pick up a bunch of voters from a chunk of West Oakland. 

78 Forgive me for finding a way to find the downside to everything, but the problem with a bunch of Democrats retiring is that a lot of these guys will have their eyes on 1.) possibly getting a job with the administration or 2.) lobbying, in which case they don't want to anger the rest of their colleagues.

Dodd is more of a lefty than a moderate and it's not as if we had much faith in moderates anyway, but when you get a bunch of these guys retiring, you get a greater willingness over the next year to go along with legislative suicide missions.


Okay, I'll shut up now and just listen to eman about New Jersey.

79 Say hello to the new Sandwich Czar

80 The thing is, if the dens really are done for, then they are going to move to warp nine suicide ramming speed for all that they can. Then again, they were kind of doing that before...

81 Get ready for a series of suicide votes from these America-wrecking socialists as they pack their bags for these family vacations.

Unencumbered with reelection, they'll make deals with Obama to feather their nests on the way out. Obama wants Bailout X? They'll say, "Pay me, not my state, for my vote." Obama wants illegal alien amnesty? Again, "Pay me for my vote." Union exemption or new corporate takeover? "Pay me for my vote."

That's the downside to having these once-entrenched bastards at the Federal level opting out now. The country is failing. They're the ones who are most responsible for its destruction. This is the only time they'll be able to parlay their exit with an ideologue at the White House who will willingly throw taxpayer cash around (aka slush fund monies - via TARP for example - in the billions) into payola. Obama wants their votes at all costs because the country is now revolting due to Obama's policies. It's now or never for this great "change" and everyone knows it. The fleeing congresscritters have as much leverage from the far left as they're ever going to get.

We are headed for gridlock or invigorated conservatism as the surge from the Right moves forward. You think these incumbents want to face that for the next several years as their forced retirements loom? Now is the time to cash out when their votes are at a premium with a president who's willing to deal.

I hope we can all follow the money and start turning up the spotlight now before these tax fund raiders walk away.

I still want these America-destroying socialists out of government, but there will be a downside unless we can put extraordinary sunlight on their shenanigans and try to discourage political backscratching beforehand. I hope the up-n-comers start advocating the use and execution of anti-corruption law so that these incumbents actually fear retroactive prosecution.

So in conclusion, these Democrat incumbents suck. Always did. Always will. Let's keep 'em from sucking the nation's coffers even more dry.

82 Where do I send my next $20?

To Republican running for Senate in Mass.!!! What a major win that would be!
---------------------

Oh never fear, I've sent the dough to Hottie McAwesome. I expect to be shelling out for more non-Californians in the coming months.

83 you get a greater willingness over the next year to go along with legislative suicide missions.

I don't really see this as a problem. The people dropping out are not people who were on the fence on these issues anyway. They are long term assholes and all those votes are coming home to roost.

84 AnonymousDrivel, you took it right out of my keyboard. One hopes for Congressional investigations, but I think Big Government.com will have to be the hero.

85 He might have some plane tickets and his passport in his hand when he announces.
---------------------

And a lace wig.

86 So what will cure the Public of their current disgust with Democrats? A speech by Barry? A crying Polar Bear? These events are clear signs the Dems are in huge trouble.

87

I predict the Margin of Fraud to be well over 10% this year.

Posted by: Purple Avenger
---------------------

Sarah Palin was the only Big Player this year to express outrage at the voter fraud of 2008. It would be awesome if she'd lead some sort of movement to prevent it in 2010, although the ground game could get scary.

88
Maybe, when Dodd has more time to reflect on his lack of integrity and intellectual honesty, he'll choke on the memory of what he has done.

89 Dropping out makes it harder for a Republican to win his seat.  Now another Dem will step up to bat, lie his way through the campaign and pick up the seat in solidly blue CT.  Damn.  It would have been easy to run against Dodd.  He was such an easy target.

90

Dodd ist Dead

 

I hope CT decides to take a vacation from lefties for awhile.

91

When "other career opportunities" is a reason to leave the Senate, you know the Democrats are in deeper shit than even we realized.

Prediction: an annoucement by Boy Idiot Biden that he never even thought about trying to grad the old man's Senate seat.

Bottom line: is it even remotely possible the GOP picks up the Senate, too? This may be historic by the time it shakes out.

92 Allah fucking Akbar, Dodd. Spread the word to the rest of the fucking rats that your fat, bloated ship is going down.

93 Leave me alone, and let me eat my waitress sammich.

94 I didn't think anything would make him leave that primo spot and assumed CT voters are as dumb and gerrymandered

Well, you can't gerrymander a state.

This is a shame.  I would have preferred to see him lose by 70 in November mwuhahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

95

He's a Paul Nut, he's dead in the water.

Posted by: Rocks at January 06, 2010 12:48 AM (OOgDc)

I'm no Paul Nut, but look who's running against Schiff. A wrestling millionare?

I always hear that shit about Schiff, but I see no one else making any kind of economic sense. He's been right on the money for years. The rest of the Pubbies are economic idiots who think that there will be a good ending to this economic disaster, 15 trillion in debt and no way out. Huge taxes coming, no matter which party is in. This country is economically finished from all this. Find me one Republican who even saw this coming. Where are the real free market voices? Who the fuck put a dimwit hack like Michael Steele into the Chairmanship? 

The Republican Party should kiss Schiff's ass. Maybe he is unelectable, but at least he's telling the truth about our economic mess. He is a hard-assed free market-loving guy and takes no prisoners. What the hell is the matter with that?

96 Rewrite!: "Where do I send my next $20?

To Republican running for Senate in Mass.!!!  What a major win that would be!"

Amen. And here's Scott Brown's site.

97

Chris Dodd is...

 

THE MAN WITH NO SENATE SEAT

98 If this isn't ball dippin time, it never will be

99 Posted by: TexasJew at January 06, 2010 01:07 AM (dcKUM)

His foreign policies are undefendable. He makes a guy like Dodd look like a Hawk on defense and foreign policy. You can't hand that kind of advantage to a Democrat and expect to win. It isn't happening. He would get slaughtered.

100 Five days in.

101 I agree with those who say Dodd retiring is not a good thing.He was easily beatable even in blue Conn.Now they will be free to vote for a replacement Democrat without the baggage. I wonder what Obama promised Dodd to quit?

102 And McMahon will not get the Republican nod. I don't care how much cash she has. She has already spent a ton of cash on a radio blitz and her numbers against Dodd were no better than any of the others, even the unknowns.
It's basically Simmons to lose right now.

103 I still say R's end up with 46, subtract out 2 maine girls, and 44 should be able to put a halt to the radical leftists for a while.

And to the 'now they really are going to go for it' people, they were already, this is a once in a century opportunity for them.  They aren't going to let bad poll numbers keep them from their socialist utopia.

104 Guys, there is no downside to Dodd leaving. If we have to rely upon weak incumbents to win, we are fighting the wrong battles. Some states will always be competitive, others are presumptive conservative/Republican seats, and then there are states like Connecticut, which is basically a lost cause. You devote your energies to the states that should flip, like Montana, Nevada, Colorado, NC, Fla, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri , Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Louisiana, Arkansas and...geezus--that's a long list! Try your best in Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Conn., California and Michigan. But you don't need miracles to take back the Senate, just a good tailwind and strong candidates. Oh, and those two ditzes from Maine need to get themselves re-elected. It's not that tough. There are a number of natural pickups waiting for the right election cycle. There are two of these coming up that are working in our favor.

105 |||Bottom line: is it even remotely possible the GOP picks up the Senate, too? This may be historic by the time it shakes out.

There's a 1980-like scenario where the GOP picks-up eleven seats, but that kinda required the CT senate seat. The GOP would have to pick-up a lot of momentum nationally close to election day. Basically, here are the scenarios:

Good Year = hold all GOP seats, plus pick-up AR, PA, CO, ND

Great Year = hold all GOP seats, plus pick-up AR, PA, CO, ND, NV, DE

" '94 Special" = hold all GOP seats, plus pick-up AR, PA, CO, ND, NV, DE, IL, CT

"The Full Reagan" = hold all GOP seats, plus pick-up AR, PA, CO, ND, NV, DE, IL, CT, CA, WI, IN

106 In related and awesome news, John Hoeven is about to walk into a Senate seat.

107 NBC News confirms the Dodd retirement

108 1st, a quick note:

really another shot at Tebow crying over something anybody else might have cried about? Christ the cynism thrown at this guy is incredible, anyone would love their son to grow up to be a Tim Tebow, well I guess that 51-24 win over Cincy was good enough of a reply back to the Tebow haters...no a Bama's loss would be a better reply and i'm praying Texas wins Thirsday

now on the more serious subject:

Dodd quits before we get the satisfaction to see this POS lose a re-electrion bid, I hope Dingy Harry doesn't take that away from us w/ him too. So now CT will prob. go Rep as far as this seat goes in 2010 (i've been a fan of Linda McMahon but it's obvious she's going to come up short in the primaries and waited to long to announce)

109

GO ON, Take the money and run...

Unlike his dad, Chris Dodd will manage to leave the Senate without being censured. It's always nice when children can surpass their parents' accomplishments.

110 Great Year = hold all GOP seats, plus pick-up AR, PA, CO, ND, NV, DE

i'm predicting this scenario will happen

111 Texas wins Thirsday Thursday

oops

112 His foreign policies are undefendable. He makes a guy like Dodd look like a Hawk on defense and foreign policy. You can't hand that kind of advantage to a Democrat and expect to win. It isn't happening. He would get slaughtered.

Posted by: Rocks at January 06, 2010 01:13 AM (OOgDc)

I don't think he's that much of a Paulnut, but I may be wrong. How about making him Secretary of the Treasury as well? He is great on economic issues and actually knows what he's talking about. He is a great debater and would have taken Dodd apart. The other Pubbies would have gotten run over, since they are big-government suckasses The rest of the Republican party are almost uniformly economic illiterates and are an embarassment to free-thinking conservatives.

One way I look at it is this: no nation can be free and have a strong national defense without a strong economy, I fear that we will have a very weak economy, riddled with socialism and still try to have a strong national defense without the means to pay for it.

North Korea is such a nation. A nation can't be free under those conditions.

113

Posted by: Fresh Air at January 06, 2010 01:17 AM (r86+t)

great analysis/advice

114 113 In related and awesome news, John Hoeven is about to walk into a Senate seat.

Posted by: Lou at January 06, 2010 01:18 AM (JElo+)

Beware of Hoeven, he's a political hack and a tax-loving RINO.

115 Dodd quits before we get the satisfaction to see this POS lose a re-electrion bid
-----------------

I'm satisfied enough to see him skulking away all gutless and unwanted.

116 "The Full Reagan" = hold all GOP seats, plus pick-up AR, PA, CO, ND, NV, DE, IL, CT, CA, WI, IN

That's a friggin' pipe dream if I ever saw one.  However, if things are going so bad that Feingold and Bayh lose their bids, then you may as well throw in both NY seats as well.  If King runs, we'll most likely get one of the anyway.

Hell's bells, why don't we boot Steele and make him run against Mikulski and pick that one up too?  Or run whoever in Oregon and boot Wyden?

117 I am not really upset at all though, sure it would be nice to see him go down in flames and hand a seat to the gop, but still DODD WILL BE OUT OF THE SENATE, WAHOOOOOO, BALL DIP, AND HEY DODD, FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF YOU!, YOU AMERICAN ECONOMY KILLING BASTARD THIEF.

_{THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.}

118

Beware of Hoeven, he's a political hack and a tax-loving RINO.

Posted by: TexasJew at January 06, 2010 01:23 AM (dcKUM)

I'd trust him more than I'd trust Peter Schiff, that's for damned sure.  At least Hoeven won't vote for timetables and abolishing our war effort.

119

I don't buy this idea that Dodd out now makes the seat safe for dems. of course an unknown is going to have lower negatives than Dodd, so its immediately going to look a lot closer. but thats because there are more unknowns. its not going to stay like that however and whomever gets in there to pick up and carry the democratic mantle is going to have a huge steaming pile of legacy crap to deal with, and once that happens the negatives will go rise again.

you are going to have two people saying that they're not Dodd, one republican and one democrat. which one can better make that case?

120 My friends.....

121

Posted by: arhooley at January 06, 2010 01:25 AM (GKXA7)

maybe so, but imagine if LBJ hadn't quit before the 1968 election, Nixon destroys him that election and it's harder to claim he's ranked higher then he should be, C-Span actually that guy #11/41, when I did my personal rankings he came out as #30/41 (W. Harisson & Obama not included)

122

Hey boys, I've seen the error of my ways and I'm coming home. Always been a staunch Republican in my very heart.

Keep the light on for me!

123 Wisconsin is a closely-divided state politically. Feingold has traditionally had tough re-election fights. If Tommy Thompson jumps in, the race is instantly competitive. Even if he doesn't, if there's a serious pro-GOP trend nationally, you're going to see it in Wisconsin which makes Feingold vulnerable.

Same argument goes for Evan Bayh. Evan's dad Birch Bayh was defeated in 1980 by Dan Quayle in an upset precisely because the Reagan/pro-conservative/anti-liberal tide was so big that Bayh got swept to sea. If there's a serious pro-GOP mood later this year, you're going to see it materialize in Indiana, and Bayh - regardless of his campaign kitty - will be vulnerable.

You're right about New York, but the NY GOP screwed the pooch in not getting either Giuliani or Pataki to run. King has a shot, but he's going to have to raise $50-$60 million dollars just to be competitive. King is wasting precious time. At this point, unless King is serious, I think the Dems keep New York even under the worst circumstances.

124 Senator Nelson? Omaha Steaks is on line 2.

125 Anybody
Besides
Chris
Dodd

Simple as A B C D.

126 I don't buy this idea that Dodd out now makes the seat safe for dems.
-----------------

Breitbart has stated flat out that he has stuff that he's going to release right around election time if Holder doesn't pick up all the breadcrumbs that Breitbart has been sprinkling around.

127 It's unfortunate that people in northeastern states like Conn and NY are so into these sleazy attorney generals.  All they do is sue corporations, get a win or settlement, share the spoils with the trial lawyers, who then return the favor by financing their campaigns.

These AGs are all very anti-business but people love to hate corporations.  And the political operatives love to run the sleazy AG's instead of state legislators because they don't have any votes to defend.  What I have read about Blumenthal is that he's extremely liberal.  Think Schumer or Spitzer before his client number 9 fiasco.  This doesn't look like good news to me.  Along with Coakley, another disgusting lefty.

128 Wisconsin is a closely-divided state politically. Feingold has traditionally had tough re-election fights. If Tommy Thompson jumps in, the race is instantly competitive. Even if he doesn't, if there's a serious pro-GOP trend nationally, you're going to see it in Wisconsin which makes Feingold vulnerable.

WI is a dem leaning purple state, remember Dukakis made a huge play for it and gotit in 1988, in 1992 and 1996 Clinton got strong votes there w/ his strong independent/moderate base, but Dubya came less then 1% from winning it in 2000 & 2004 & McCain didn't really make a play for it in 2008

Same argument goes for Evan Bayh. Evan's dad Birch Bayh was defeated in 1980 by Dan Quayle in an upset precisely because the Reagan/pro-conservative/anti-liberal tide was so big that Bayh got swept to sea. If there's a serious pro-GOP mood later this year, you're going to see it materialize in Indiana, and Bayh - regardless of his campaign kitty - will be vulnerable.

IN going blue in 2008 was a fluke as was MT going blue in 1992, it was the 2nd closest state for Obama to win (1st was NC & 3rd was FL), and Bayh only won because of his blue dog status which will be questioned after his blind support for Obama

129 Look for Dodd to be a big mucky muck in any government health care scheme after he leaves.

130

I'd trust him more than I'd trust Peter Schiff, that's for damned sure.  At least Hoeven won't vote for timetables and abolishing our war effort.

Posted by: Lou at January 06, 2010 01:28 AM (JElo+)

Wait till the Chinese come to collect. You'll see a real fucking war.

131 65 But as I write that, keep hope alive. PPP was uber wrong about NY-23.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at January 06, 2010 12:41 AM (Mi2wf)

PPP already has a poll about CT?  That's convenient.

132 #136
They're all looking for that, aren't they.  Probably Dorgan, too.  Expand government, and expand lobbying positions available after you leave office.  The despicable Tom Daschle gets a huge paycheck from lobbyists.  Truly, I don't think these people are any different from the old politburo swine.  And some Republicans play this game too.  Look at Billy Tauzin, big time lobbyist with Pharma, signed Pharma on to health care reform.

133 AR, PA, CO, ND, NV, DE, IL, CT, CA, WI, IN I would probably disagree on Delaware, though I don't know much about it. Illinois is a very possible/probable pick-up, with dickhead RINO Mark Kirk (but, as we say in Chicago, Whaddya gonna do?). Wisconsin is always tough. I'm not sure what's going on up there, though I assume Kohl must be retiring, no? Evan Bayh could very well be bounced in Indiana, though his name is gold thanks to his well-loved dad, Birch. There's a reasonable, not great shot in California, with Carly Fiorina, though I just don't think she'll pull it off. Also, don't forget about Massachusetts. I would say there are near-certain pickups in Arkansas, North Dakota and Nevada. Lean R in Illinois and Colorado. Hairy-ass wildcards in New York, California, Conn. and Pennsylvania. I will say the rest of the list are jump-balls. That gives the following: Likely pick-ups: +3 Strong possibility: +2 Jump-ball (50% probability, say): +3 (out of 6 possible) Hairy wildcards (25% probability): +1 So your best case is +9 Your likely case is +5 Your worst case is maybe +4 and lose a seat or two, say +2 Any way you slice it, the filibuster-proof majority is gone, and the set-up for a takeover of the Senate in 2012 is complete. My best guess is a six-seat pickup in 2010 and another eight seats in 2012, which will be a wipeout year for the donkeys as Zero refuses to get out of the way and takes the party into the toilet with him. :>)

134

Harold Ford Jr., of the famously corrupt Memphis Fords may run for Seantor of NY.  ...Worked for Hillary.

AlGore was a reject here, too.

135 Look for Dodd AND THE MRS. to be a big mucky muckS in any government health care scheme after he leaves.

136 Byron Dorgan. Bill Ritter, Governor of Colorado also is not going for re-election. John Cherry (D), LT Governor of Michigan, withdrew his candidacy to replace termed Governor Jennifer Granholm (D). Congressman Neil Abercrombie, (D-HI), is resigning completely on February 28th to try to make a bid for Governor to replace termed Governor Linda Lingle (R). And now Dodd.

137 One other thing: The number one factor in U.S. Senate seat turnover is a scandal involving the incumbent. The number two is an open seat. Connecticut moves from a likely pick-up to simply a 50-50, IMO.

138 Look for the Socialists to run candidates against the records of those falling on their lucrative swords.  The 52%'ers are just that STUPID.

139 Speaking of suicide votes, here's another via Stop The ACLU: Universal Voter Registration: Chucky and Barney Strike Again: Voter Fraud Alert

Cloward-Piven on the march again.

This really is a vitally dangerous time for America. The Marxists are doing damage and these Donks are escorting it in right now.

140 #144

Should be interesting to see what RCP says about that.  WaPo says a likely retention for Dems because Blumenthal is so popular.  He had been planning on running for Liebermann's seat in '12, now he will run for this.  It sounds like this has all been planned.  Blumenthal can start cashing in from the trial bar immediately.

141

65  Gabriel, not sure how serious I take a pollster who uses the word "uber."

 

While the ball dipping fun we would have watching this POS lose in Nov, has been taken away.  If the Dems continue with their path of destruction, all Simmons has to point out is that is was the Dems who caused all the destruction. 

142 to replace termed Governor Jennifer Granholm (D).

how that woman was re-elcted i'll never know, I mean i know it's MI, but MI isn't that blue, Dubya put up a fight there

143 YRM-- Yep. The western half of Michigan is great, more like Indiana. The U.P. is more like northern Wisconsin. It's just the Blue Hellholes of Detroit, Flint and Ann Arbor that keeps liberals in office. The state is a disaster right now, though, so it's ripe for some serious change. Hell, they're even talking about turning Detroit into a giant vegetable garden.

144 #149

There's a lot of these unexplainable elections around the country, aren't there?  Those of us who elect the non-Granholm types like Rick Perry (not saying he's perfect) who try to keep a lid on spending get the screw job because our tax dollars just get directed to Michigan in the form of higher federal spending such as medicaid. Also GM/Chrysler bailouts.

I guess here's how you explain these elections:  most of the American people are either greedy, i.e., on the dole, or just plain stoopid.

145

Am I the only one who thought: Wow, what a nice gift for Rush's first day back! Dodd and Dorgan gone? I have a feeling he will be on it hard 2morrow. Hehehehehe.

 

Probably no hard-on, those meds tend to negate that  for  awhile after heart issues............

146

The love that dare not say its name...Sullivan and Johnson.  http://tinyurl.com/ydftvu3

Charles Johnson explains his concerns here. He's particularly right about the kind of proto-fascist love of violence against "the other" that you see pulsating in the writing of, say, Michael Goldfarb or Robert Stacy McCain...

Then Andrew asks:  "Tea anyone?"

Get a room will ya. 

147

The love that dare not say its name...Sullivan and Johnson.  http://tinyurl.com/ydftvu3

 

Charles Johnson explains his concerns here. He's particularly right about the kind of proto-fascist love of violence against "the other" that you see pulsating in the writing of, say, Michael Goldfarb or Robert Stacy McCain...

Then Andrew asks:  "Tea anyone?"

Get a room will ya. 

148

Thanks for shitting all over the furniture before you moved out.

They better be burning in a hotter level of hell than me, or there is no justice.

149 I would be happy with a SOLID forty-one at this point.  So we probably need forty-seven or so.

150
Dems don't fight, they bail. Cowards.

The bigger question is - will the democrat strategy of tarring the GOP and calling the GOP names, work on a nation that sees clearly now- that the democrats are corrupt?

151 Actually, Nelson retiring right now would be great as well.  As is the persistent rumor of Jim Webb moving over to be SecDef -- if his seat is no longer crucial to keeping 60 it could happen.

152
Blaggo will be on Trump's celebrity apprentice.  After Obama loses in 2012, he should go on that show as well.

153 Granholm's a transplant, she carries the California bacillus.  She grew up a few miles from where I sit. 

154 Dodd dropping out would really suck. There's damn few Democrats who would do worse than he would.

155 The funniest shit to me in all this Democrat chaos is that deluded, pathetic John Kerry thinking he can take over at State when Hillary jumps ship. His campaigning is so transparent it's embarrassing.

156

Good morning Morons

 

Yes, it appears happy days are here for the RÂ’s except that Piss Clod going down actually hurts the RÂ’s in CT.

 

But all the hits are not going to the Dems. It seems that the some of the “big tent” asshole squishy Repubs who think they should play nice and help the Dems are taking hits as well. Our old buddy here in SC, Lindsey Grahamnasty took yet another hit from local Republicans who are tired of his shit and they gave him another censor.

 

Story at The State

 

From the story:

 

It was the third time a county Republican Party in South Carolina had voted to censure Graham. Two years ago, the Greenville GOP censured Graham for his support of immigration reform. In November, the Charleston GOP voted to censure Graham for his support of climate-change legislation.

 

Here is what Graham had to say:

 

Graham said that while there are fringe elements in both the Democratic and Republican parties, going into the 2010 mid-term elections, Republicans should be focused on growing the party, registering new voters and stopping an "out-of-control Obama agenda."

 

In other words, he is STILL on the “big tent” kick and looking for even more RINOs. Even as the GOP chairman appears to have got the message and has made noises about getting back to conservative principles Graham maintains his RINOness.

157

Oops left this part out

When reading this article please keep in mind it was written by the PR arm of the SC Democratic Party who did not run an official candidate in the last election because they said Graham was the best candidate they could field.

 

158 Does anyone realize that these "retiring" congress people are allowed under the laws they wrote to take with them the money left over in their campaign funds. Why risk millions to loose an election when they can pocket those millions. We need to take a page out of their book and give them a retroactive tax on unused canpaign funds of 100%

159 OOPS, I forgot life long paid retirement along with life long health care, all the the taxpayers expense.

160 Dang.... Dudd is out. Guess we gotta put the tar/feathers on hold...

161 The picture just reminds us all of whose fault this is.

Goldberg.
Rosenberg.
Weinberg.
Iceberg.

IYKWIMAITYD.

162 He's not welcome in Ireland!

163 #135   Evan Bayh is in trouble,  because the Indianapolis Star hasn't published ONE POLL on his approval rating in months.   Local talk radio has been pointing out his duplicitous voting record for months.

Bayh's shtick is to talk about "Hoosier values" and "fiscal responsibility" here in Indiana,  and then vote with Harry Reid on every damn issue.   The health care bill is going to kill Bayh,  because people are really angry and are not willing to give him a pass on this one. 

However,  we need to have a strong candidate running against him.  If the governor (Mitch Daniels) ran, he would beat him handily.  Daniels (who has also been mentioned as a presidential possibility) is adamant that he is retiring when his term is up.  We need a strong candidate,  and so far I haven't seen anyone mentioned.  Time is growing short, and our primary is in May.

164 Now they can vote to screw America with impunity.

165 I thought they were already doing that?!?

166 I had already measured the back of the SUV for a giant "Dump Dodd" sign, something that Nutmeg state dwellers (with Kerry/Edwards stickers still on their Subaru's) could see from low earth orbit.

When writing our senators at least the replies from Lieberman had a respectful air to them.  The Dodd replies had that certain refined mix of condescension, arrogance, and "Screw you, you unworthy, unsophisticated, peon" that made me want to drain my blood out in service to his opponent.

Dodd walked away from Lieberman over Lamont.  I was waiting for the moment when Dodd was looking for a rescue and Joe could quote Spock (Zachery Quinto) and dryly say "No, not really.  Not this time"

167 Slightly OT, but did anyone notice the CREEPY overdone reverberation when Obamba was giving his "The buck stops with the CIA" speech?

168

As a CT resident I thought I'd chime in.

With Dodd out of the way any dem running for his seat has one hell of an uphill battle. I predict if the GOP plays its cards right anything with a D next to its name should be a dead man walking.

Blumenthal is a huge PITA in this state and the Republican running against Dodd (Rob Simmons) is a GOOD Republicain for such a blue state.

Pro military, pro-business and the democrats hate him. He only lost his House seat in the D wave with that fool Ned Lamont running against Joe. 

169 Dropping out makes it harder for a Republican to win his seat.  Now another Dem will step up to bat, lie his way through the campaign and pick up the seat

In reality, that's the same situation here in Arkansas.  As long as Lincoln makes the general, we have a good shot at grabbing the seat.  Unfortunately, there are some D's starting to sniff the air about challenging her.  If that happens, the fools in this state will vote for the D every frickin' time.  It doesn't matter the merits of the candidates. They pull the lever for the D.  The only exception seems to be President.  We've gone R most of the time (except for Billy Jeff, of course).

170 Actually, I kind of doubt the replacement-Dem will have a cake walk win.  The Northeast State Auto-Dem Vote reflex has stopped working (at least temporarily), and the remaining Dems are going to remind voters of what they don't want. 

Is Peter Schiff  Paul Nut?  I mean Paul is a nut because of foreign policy (and the nuts that follow him); on economics, he doesn't sound that nutty, or nutty at all.

Also, I hate Jon Leibowitz (Stewart).

171 #168 Why?

172 LOL @ #19.

173 Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he will seek to succeed fellow Democrat Christopher Dodd in the U.S. Senate.

Blumenthal tells The Associated Press that he will announce his candidacy at noon Wednesday at Democratic headquarters in Hartford.

http://tinyurl.com/ydwqrnx

174 All this seems a bit orchestrated, as if this string of announcements was coordinated to occur on the same day.  Is the "bad news" being confined to one short period so that it can be forgotten rather than being strung out over the course of a few weeks?

175 Uhh -- saw the headlines this morning, dear. Really, you don't need to spend more time was us. Truly. It's thoughtful of you, but no. We'd just as soon the neighbors not know you're related to us, and if you hang around here they will figure it out. Can't you find something else to do with your time that keeps you out of the state? We can send you money to keep up the DC apartment if you need it.

176

BURBERRY SCARF just $99.9

game CDKeys

177

There's a big liberal pollster who works at one of these commie think-tanks in Washington that used to be a big deal at Brown University that was on the local radio news at 8:30 spinning that Dodd is really good news for the Democrats, so that the CT A.G. can run in his place.  Dick Blumenthal or something.  I've never heard of him.  But I'm sure he's prosecuted a lot of cops and firefighters and stuff...

178 To: #152 I guess here's how you explain these elections: most of the American people are either greedy, i.e., on the dole, or just plain stoopid ====================== Stoopid, ignorant, IQ of a nailclipper voters. I call them the ADHD of the voting class. Picture if you will, a ballot box. Our voter calmly walks in and begins to peruse the issues and candidates. Let us now spy inside and see how they are doing. VOter: "OooOO, look! a 'D', I heard they give free sh!t and stuff!" My friends, you are now entering the twilight zone.

179 After Barry's ascension didn't the "educated classes" tell us that the Republican party was going to be a minority party for years to come? Now I'm not saying the Republicans won't blow it this year but it looks like Barry's thousand year reich is crumbling within one year.

180 Anyone remember Glenn Beck interviewing Blumenthal?

Part 1: http://tinyurl.com/dmzznw

Part 2: http://tinyurl.com/ydfpzwz

181 The can spin that Blumenthal is a better candidate all they want, the fact is -- it is an open seat.

182 I don't think any of these scenerio's or "guesses" as to future elections can be close, given todays political climate. There is a strong undercurrent of voter dissatisfaction, countrywide. But this is before the actual passage of 'health/deathcare'. Once this happens and the details of this monstrosity  are made public, America's outrage will undoubtably increase. Add Cap and Steal/ Immigration crookery/ and every other insane idea to ruin the country these asshats can come up with, and the entire nation will be up in arms. I would not be surprised to see a virtual Demo Bloodbath!

183

A wino with a bottle of T-bird in a brown sack would give better advice.

Have I ever told you guys the story of Negro Bob?

184

Interesting news out of Rasmussen--Obama's poll numbers have kind of bottomed out over the last few days while he gets to play wartime leader.  But the 2010 congressional spread has increased to 9% in favor of the R party. 

This must have Michael Steele absolutely terrified. 

185 Once Nancy and Harry pass "Health Care Reform", there will be a lot of Democrats "retiring" this November.

186 Jeez, these people announced late last year that they'd do anything to keep power -- even if it means retiring some of the old tax and spend warhorses so the GOP can't run against their record. Then, they turn around and bring in some new socialist tax and spend war horses who don't have a record. That way, they beat the GOP and the help the Dems keep power. Ignore this bullshit about Democrats retiring. They're just gaming the country as usual. Bunch of pricks.

187 Who the fuck put a dimwit hack like Michael Steele into the Chairmanship?

Posted by: TexasJew at January 06, 2010 01:07 AM (dcKUM)

Not "who" but "what"...i.e., political correctness.  After all, the country elected a minority Democrat as President so the GOP decision makers thought they should do the same with the party chairman.  Of course, neither of them are the best or most qualified people to be in those positions.  Now the GOP has Steele calling the shots and the vast majority of Republicans, like myself, have no faith that he will maximize Republican gains in the House and Senate this year.  This is why I'm not giving money to the RNC or any associated groups anymore, especially since they end up spending a ton of money on so-called "moderates" (i.e., liberal Republicans), like they've done in the past with Dede Scozzafava or Lincoln Chafee.  Or how about the lack of money they've sent to Scott Brown in his Senate race in Massachusetts, which though a longshot is not impossible and if he wins the special election could result in stopping the horrific health care plan?  I'll just give to individual candidates.

188 There are a lot of pictures of that grinning jenny, Pelosi.  Where in the world did you find a picture of that jackass Reid smiling?  Was someone nearby stealing the future from children?

189

The really scary thing about these Dems choosing to forego reelection is what it suggests about what they could possibly know about the state the economy will be in by November.

Keep tabs on how they vote if a new stimulus bill emerges.  This will be their last swill at the trough.

190

Oh Doddy boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But never come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with AGW snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Doddy boy, oh Doddy boy, I despise you so.

And if you come, the flowers will all be dying
And I hope I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And I hope you trip and break your damn knee.

And I shall hear, your moans of pain above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to get out of the Senate
I'll simply sleep in peace knowing you are not destroying my country.

I'll simply sleep knowing you are not destroying my country

191

 Dick Blumenthal or something.  I've never heard of him.  But I'm sure he's prosecuted a lot of cops and firefighters and stuff...

This story will tell you all you need to know about Blumenthal.

http://tinyurl.com/yfss7fs

He makes Nancy Pelosi look like a Conservative.

I only hope that Dodd's announcement starts a massive bloody battle within the CT Dem party, as all the little liberal scum scramble to stake their claim to his seat.

192

Healthcare reform is simply too important of an issue for me; rather than face distractions such as campaigning for re-election, making nice with donors, or even garnering the support of my consitutents by aligning my votes with their values, I have chosen to not seek re-election.

My apologies to those of my consitutents who may disagree with what I am doing (all 95% of you), but History is calling!  Passing this imperative, and astoundingly unpopular, healthcare legislation is vastly more important than continuing to represent you.

193 Wow, Ritter is not running for re-election for Colorado Governor. They are all jumping ship. Here is an example of 'green jobs' for everyone. Vespa had a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Windsor. With state incentives + stimulus funds they built 3 more plants, one of them tearing up the road we live on. A few weeks ago I read they furloughed 500 workers at the Windsor plant. The 3 new plants never produced a single turbine blade.

194

I didn't read through all of the posts, so sorry if this has already been mentioned:

What are the odds that this  maneuver is orchestrated to help a certain precedent in 2012?

I'm happy as hell that Dodd is leaving (although it would have been preferrable to see him lead away in chains), but how much of this is an attempt to win in 2012?  I think the Dems have given up on 2010, but let's face it -- the economy isn't going to do anything but get worse...if they can pin that back on the GOP (and truth is not nearly so important as public perception, and the public are sheep with short memories and easily distracted by shiny things).

195 Went to Commieformia to visit my engineering buddy. He shut down his company and quizzed me constantly about North Dakota. I told him that everything is heading to a complete Red State. I couldn't get this talented engineer to work for me in Calgary. Little North Dakota gains this talent. The state of the Sioux is number 4 in oil exports and growing constantly. Its the only state that has a plus for employment.

196

Dodd retiring is bad news. Had he stayed GOP would have won that seat. Now the dems will retain it. FUCK.

197 A couple of things:

Incumbents are always a problem even if the replacement Dem has lower negatives.  The people of CT voted for Dodd (again and again), they have an emotional attachment to him and it's hard to let go.  With Torricelli, remember that the NJ Dem party had to dig up Lautenberg.  They didn't pick a new guy.

Dodd leaving is a body blow to the Dems.  It's demoralizing.  With these 3 happening on the same day, there must have been some devastating DNC internal polling.  Even those whose races weren't polled have to be nervous if Dodd is quitting.

Reid won't quit.  He'd rather be majority leader for 11 months than gracefully bow out.  Daschle did OK for himself and Reid is far more corrupt and has far more connections to corruption.  Reid's son on the other hand...

I hope Webb becomes SecDef.  Let me endorse him right here.  Melonhead will cause Obama no end of trouble.  I am still waiting for the Webb-Franken fistfight.

Don't forget 2012.  That will be the redistricted Congress and if 2010 is a GOP wave, there will be a lot of statehouses that will vote on redistricting for 2012.  Also, a lot of these Trojan horse Dems who ran as moderates in 2006 will be up in 2012.

As for who the GOP will run to replace Dodd?  There will be a lot more candidates now.

198

Dodd's retirement is ho-hum. Let me yawn. CT is still a pick up opportunity. The MA race will be a proxy. Simmons is a good candidate and if Lamont runs then Simmons could get Lieberman's endorsement.

Looking ahead. Arlen is about 50/50 to retire, although if he loses the primary all is moot. He may retire early to clear the field for Sestak. Lincoln (AR) is another probable. Her retirement would not surprise. Reid would be huge.

The big one that deserves a burning skull would be Feingold (WI). The one that would make my jaw drop and my eyeballs fall out would be Bayh.

 

 

199

Counting the number of times the MSM use the word "corruption" in their stories....zero....still zero....still zero....yep, still zero....

You know anybody with an (R) after their name would be "Resigning under a shadow of corruption charges..."

200 Being the people's representative in DC is great except for the, ya know, damn people.

201

Being the people's representative in DC is great except for the, ya know, damn people.

They do have that ...odor... about them, don't they?

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