Chris Dodd Announces Retirement, Says "None of Us is Irreplaceable"

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Citing personal issues and his shaky political standing in Connecticut, Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election this fall.

"I have never wavered in my determination to the best job.. for our state," Dodd said, standing in front of his Connecticut home. "The past year has raised some challenges that insisted I take stock of my life."

The senator cited his battle with cancer over the summer, the death of his sister and the death of his friend, Sen. Ted Kennedy. He also acknowledged that he has become increasingly unpopular in the state.

"I'm very aware of my present political standing here," he said.

The powerful senator's re-election chances became unsteady a couple years ago, when his polling numbers began to sink amid his bid for the Democratic nomination for the presidency, his connections to a controversial mortgage loan program and his high profile role as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

"I have been a Connecticut senator for 30 years. I'm very proud of the job I've done and the results I've delivered," Dodd said. He added, however, "None of us is irreplaceable... This is my moment to step aside."

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is expected to announce his bid for Dodd's seat at 2:30 this afternoon. Blumenthal is a very popular figure in Connecticut politics and is expected to be a much stronger candidate thanDodd.

To predict how Dodd would fare in an election nearly a year from now "would be absurd," he said. Yet the circumstances in his life caused him to take pause and ask "Why am I running?" he said.

He asked himself this question, Dodd said, upon visiting Kennedy's Arlington Cemetery grave after casting his Christmas Eve health care vote. He called it "one of themost important, if not the most important, vote in my years in the United States Senate."

President Obama issued a statement praising Dodd for his decades of service, from his work as a young Peace Corps volunteer to his five terms in the Senate.

"Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of our children and families, support good jobs for hard-working Americans, and keep our nation strong and prosperous, building a remarkable record of achievement for the people of Connecticut and our country," the president said. "While his work in the Senate is not yet finished, his leadership in that institution will be missed."

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[msjb1]

Get out now so you can enjoy all the money you pilfered out of the country selling out taxpayers for 30 yrs, I hope you choke on all of it you crook.

[JV1970]

This is only the beginning! Dodd won't be the only democratic senator that won't seek re-election! Democrats are going to be abandoning ship in droves soon! The 2010 election is going to have a much different outcome than the 2008 one! I don't think the democrats should count on having control of both the house and the senate after the 2010 election! We republicans are coming back and we're coming on strong!

[gboyd41]

Too bad he is retiring. I would love to see a good humiliating election for him-and he (&BO) knew it was coming. The WH probably pulled another Patterson on him. In my opinion, he has too many skeletons in the closet to defy BO.

[antoniof123]

He has cancer and well you know the rest of the story.

[retm-w]

Dodd knows this health insurance reform bill stinks, so he's getting out before the public really finds out what's in it, and what it's going to cost the taxpayers.

[stn_sage]

My comments are as follows:

1. Good riddance!

2. He talks about 'all the good' he did for the country? Any 'good' he did was YEARS AGO, for the last decade he's helped to destroy America!

3. Due to point #2, he can't get re-elected, so he's retiring versus
being publicly humiliated with a lop-sided loss from the 'little people'...the voters...that he's been 'sticking it to' for the last decade!

4. It was suggested he move to Iowa...it's safe to say...Iowa doesn't want him! Connecticut can keep him and that no-good Joe Lieberman, too!

5. This is excellent news! The continuing retirement of incumbents who have done enough TO America! Let the retirements continue!

[koko98-2009]

Maybe Senator Dodd can move back to Iowa.

[sjc_1]

It was once said that the best term limit is the ballot box, I am not sure I agree. Once incumbents run again, they have a strong position to be reelected. It is mainly about fund raising and with name recognition that is not hard to do. Public Money for Public Office would offset private money. We need to get politicians accountable to the voters and tax payers and that is one good way to do it.