Chris Dodd, get serious

I suppose it was inevitable.

Chris Dodd today (Jan. 11, 2007) announced his candidacy for his party's nomination to be president of the United States. The announcement often sets the tone for a aspirant's campaign.

Let's see. He announced it on the steps of the U. S. Capitol, with his family at his side. Uh, no.

He announced it on the steps of the Connecticut Old State House in Hartford or at the Connecticut Capitol with his family at his side. Uh, no.

He announced it at the graveside of his father, whom he followed into the Senate and who was one of the first, if not the first, senator hounded from office by the press (as a journalist, I'm not proud of that one), with his family at his side. Uh, no.

He did it on the radio. OK, it's an electronic medium and there's no need for cameras turning the event into a circus. So he went on public radio, or we went on a serious discussion show to make the announcement. Uh, no.

He did it on the Imus in the Morning program. J. Donald Imus. . Wears a cowboy hat. Yells a lot. Shock jock.

Well, at least we can say two things. It wasn't on Howard Stern with two girls experiencing the Orgazmatron in the background. And Don Imus is, after all, a Connecticut resident.

So, this is why he stabbed Joe Lieberman in the back. I knew there had to be a good reason. Screw your buddy by not only endorsing but doing commercials for Ned Lamont's Senate campaign.

I guess the Democrats, led by the Vermont Screamer Dr. Howard Dean, wouldn't have let him run unless he kissed Dean's ring (this is a PG-rated blog) and backed Dean's hand-picked candidate.

There was a poll reported on the day Dodd announced. The top candidates, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barak Obama, Al Gore, all were in double-figures and some lesser guys were in high singles and Chris Dodd was there. Just above "other", with an asterisk next to his name. That means he got less than half a point.

An asterisk. There are two good reasons to screw your fellow senator, a guy who has been nothing but up front his whole career. An asterisk and the chance to go on Imus in the Morning and announce your candidacy.

I hope it was worth it, Chris.