(CNN) - As Connecticut voters remain wary of Sen. Chris Dodd, one state Democrat is openly suggesting the five-term senator abandon his re-election bid "for the good of the party."
"Chris has had Obama in for him, Biden in for him, a lot of TV ads and they haven't moved the numbers," former Connecticut Democratic Party Chair Ed Marcus told local television station WFSB. "Rightfully or wrongfully the perception within the voting public in Connecticut is just negative toward Chris."
A recent Quinnipiac poll suggests Dodd faces an 11-point deficit against Rob Simmons, one of several Republicans vying for the party's nomination to face Dodd. The poll also suggests Dodd would loose to Republicans Linda McMahohn and Tom Foley, while he would tie Sam Caligiuri and Peter Schiff.
Despite high-profile visits from President Obama and Vice President Biden in recent months, Dodd's numbers have barely recovered in the year since the Connecticut Democrat first took heat over his involvement in the federal bailout of a string of Wall Street banks.
Dodd, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, also faced controversy when news surfaced he had received favorable mortgage terms from now-defunct sub-prime mortgage lender Countrywide Financial. Dodd later severed his relationship with Countrywide to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
"If I were the Democratic chairman I would sit down with Chris and indicate to him that for the good of the party he should withdraw… he is going to be a drag on the ticket," Marcus also said.
A Connecticut Democrat tells CNN the comments are the result of ongoing sour grapes between the two men after Dodd tried to oust Marcus as party chair almost 10 years ago.
Dodd campaign manager Jay Howser brushed aside Marcus as a "bitter has-been" whose opinions have no relevance.
"Ed who? To be honest, it's embarrassing for Ed Marcus that he's still holding a grudge against Senator Dodd based his own ineptitude as State Party Chair nearly a decade ago," Howser said. "Ed's judgment in the past has been questionable at best, and he's in no place to be playing judge and jury with anyone."
From CNN Politics
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Way, way, way past time.
I wish his speeches could be permanently cut off. Recall him Connecticut dems!
Chris Dodd is one of the few GOOD GUYS left in the Senate. While I don't always agree with his views, he loves this Country and strives to make it better.
It is time for Liberman to go.
Please, no politician ever left office "for the good of the party." I don't see why Dodd is being singled out. There are a lot of Dems who will be shown the door next November. Some of them have already announced they won't run again. They didn't do it for the good of the party; they saw the writing on the wall – a D next to your name equals a good chance you'll join the millions of us unemployed come November 2010.
Just one of many incumbants who will be voted out of office! Thank God!
Five terms is too long. Regardless of their political party, all members should be limited to two terms. In many cases that's too long. These people haven't accomplished anything in decades. Time to move along.
Dodd first, then Franks, these two had as much to do with the financial collapse as wall atreet did.
Everyone knows this guy and Barney Frank are responible for the mortgage crisis. They forced banks to take on risky mortages from low income people who the banks knew could not pay for them. They have run Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which is now asking for a third taxpayer bailout. How could this guy possibly even be considered for another term. He is the reason we have this recession, not Bush.
Chris Dodd, like LIEberman and McCain and many others are prime example for term and age-limits in the House and Senate.
They are all about themself and the highest paying lobbyists.
Time for many to retire and stay home
Ed say no more. The Republicans would love too have this seat. Dodd is a crook and Conn. woke up. You can tell that Obama has no sway in helping this creature. Let him sit his ass at home and draw that great pension that none of us get. Conn., please tell Mr Dodd so long.
Agreed. Time for Dodd to go.
Dodd, and Reid and Fricken Franken, et al.
Agreed that Dodd will be gone, but he is just one of many. Really the whole bunch should be removed.
Spector is indeed a man without a conscience or sense of obligation. Hope he can take Dodd with hom.
He's right, regardless of his personal feeling towards Dodd... Connecticut is one of the most strongly Democratic states. For Dodd to be struggling this badly in the polls is a very, very bad sign. If he does run again I would be suprised if he even won the party's primary
HE SHOULD have been gone B4 he was made chairman of the banking committee! Good God ! What a DISASTER!
I agree Dodd needs to go and fast. He has done nothing for the state of CT or the people.
Dodd is one politician that slithers with the best of them and trust me there are plenty up there that slither real good.
If Joe Biden campaigned for him, you can pretty much say he is finished. Anything that man touches turns to mush.
Isn't it obvious that Dodd should retire.
He had a part to play in the financial mess we are in.
If he wins, I may think of becoming a Republican (and I would have to hate it)
Wait a minute......how can this be? I thought democrats were never going to lose another election again? Why, I was told that the republican party was kaput and that all republicans were going to go the way of the dinosaurs. That Kommandant Obama was going to lead us all to paradise on earth and the world was going to be one giant, happy place? What happened?
"...Good Night Sweetheart Goodnight"....
All Dems need to get out for the good of the country!!!!
Of course what all you Liberal Dems do not uhnderstand is Obama is definitely willing to throw any of you under his big bus for his sake!
Couldn't agree more..........past time for this corrupt loser to go. Out with Dodd.
"polls indicate that Dodd would LOOSE"??!? I'm sure some Ivy League flunky intern must have written that. "Loose"? Really? CNN is a joke.