The Stink of Dodd



(image via peacecorpsonline)

Senator Chris Dodd should, by now, know that he has neither the charisma nor the constituency to mount a credible Presidential run. But we all know that every one of those 100 members of the soi-dissant Salle D'attente (Or, as we like to call it, The United States Senate), believe they are of Presidential calibre (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment). Some of the giants of that institution, like the eccentric Clairborne Pell, Warren Rudman, John Warner, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Sam Nunn and the sage of the Boulder State, Gary Hart, were; Chris Dodd, most decidedly, is not. And so the charade continues in which we all pretend that Chris Dodd has a chance of being President. The consequences of such lies lead, unfortunately, to abuse come fundraising time. Like this, from our favorite Dickensian villain, Robert Novak:

"The long shot Democratic Presidential campaign by Christopher J. Dodd, the new Banking Committee chairman, solicited banking industry executives and lobbyists — Democrats and Republicans alike — for a fund-raising reception Wednesday.

"Melanie Wong, an experienced Democratic fund-raiser who identified herself as Dodd’s 'mid-Atlantic regional finance director,' sent the invitations. They addressed lobbyists by their first names, even those she had never met and who had never contributed to Dodd.

"The evening event was held at Washington’s luxurious Madison Hotel to find individual fund-raisers. A 'Team of 46' will consist of supporters who pledge to raise $46,000 for Dodd."

There is very nearly a geometric relation to the veering into the realm of corruption and the desire to force a reality that simply doesn't exist, namely, that there is grassroots support for a Dodd for president campaign. And so, to remain competitive, Dodd blurrs ethical lines. Ah, the perks of the Senate Banking Committee. And the shame of the Senator from Connecticut.