In, say, 1988? A piece at Political Insider explores that.
Dodd was first mentioned as a presidential prospect in the mid-1980’s, but he did not run in 1988. He could have had a chance in the “second-string” field of 1992 that led to the nomination of an obscure Arkansas governor, but he again sat it out. Like Biden and others, Dodd was perhaps expecting President George H.W. Bush to be reelected, setting the stage for a 1996 run. Instead, Dodd got shut out.With a Republican governor in Hartford, Dodd is unlikely to be selected for the Cabinet if a Democrat is elected president. His career will end in the Senate.
The last part is true only if a bill to provide for a different way of choosing replacement senators doesn’t pass in 2008. Which is possible. The piece also mentions that only CT and MA have had both sitting senators run for president–to great effect!
As for whether he had a shot in 1988 or 1992, it’s debatable. It’s also possible to apply the same logic to a lot of other aging Democrats.
11 responses so far ↓
I wouldn’t say Dodd is done yet… although I really don’t know what he can do to gain traction, but hey… Ron Paul ran in 1988 and I’d say he has a much better chance in ‘08 (though it is still pretty slim).
Realistically, Dodd is lucky he even made it this far. He’s never had a real job and has really had a fairly undistinguished career in the Senate punctuated by his total abandonment of Joe Lieberman in the 2006 Senate race. If his last name wasn’t “Dodd”, he’d be selling life insurance somewhere. In this regard, he’s just like George W. Bush, Edward M. Kennedy, John Sununu, and Albert W. Gore, Jr. Dynastic succession is abhorrent in a democracy.
The last Hurrah.
Time to pass the torch.
I don’t think his career in the Senate has been unremarkable, just because his name isn’t attached to legislation all the time like a Feingold or Kennedy. Dodd works behind the scenes to get things done, and he’s been good at it.
Does anyone know why he isn’t mentioning his time as head of the DNC? I could see that helping him with primary voters.
I supported Lieberman last year (for the last time, I might add), so I was upset when Dodd abandoned him and supported Lamont. Since then, though, I’ve realized that Lieberman has also abandoned Lieberman. He’s lost perspective and everything he ever stood for. I was proud to vote for Lieberman twice last year, but the man’s lost his mind. Dodd was clearly a few steps ahead of me, and I give him credit.
Is it true that Speaker Amann is now supporting Dodd for President?
Payback for his tepid support for Lamont?
Inquiring minds want to know…..
With Dodd currently polling somewhere in between the guy who fills the soda vending machine at the US Capitol, and Eleanor Roosevelt’s bones, I’d say his time is long passed, if he in fact ever had a shot.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that it took him this long to actually run for president. Look how long it took him to grow up, stop going to Spring Break with Ted Kennedy, and get married and have a child.
I expect him to have a mid-life crisis when he is 143 years old.
HH–
Which of the Big Three are you supporting? Romney, Giuliani, or good ol’ Fred?
Dodd still has some chance of taking hold. One, he’d make the best President out of the current Dem line-up, and two, if it starts getting ugly between Hillary and Obama, Iowans might start looking for an alternative, as they did last cycle when Gephardt and Dean were traded out for Kerry and Obama. Fwiw.
TBCT,
I’m completely undecided and uninspired by anyone in the GOP field right now. Even Fred doesn’t do it for me right now, although I do like him. Unfortunately I have to say honestly that I can’t even think of someone who isn’t in the race that I would like to see get into it.
Are you committing to Dodd, or are you still open to others?
YOu know, I do like to tease Dodd on his bad numbers right now, but I do think you’re right, he could take hold with the Dems. Especially if one of the leaders like Hillary or Obama implodes.
I’d like to be a Dodd person, but can’t at this juncture. Anybody but Hillary, who your side is not-so-subtlely praying for.
The only GOP candidate that scares me is slick Mitt. What a politician!
Yeah, late conversions don’t impress me (Mitt).
I don’t really subscribe to the “pray for Hillary” dogma. I think if she gets nominated she’ll be tough to whip.
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