Dodd Gets Cold Reception on Campaign Trail

As is to be expected, Sen. Dodd has generally received a cold response on the campaign trail. People don't necessarily dislike him, they just don't really know enough about him to care. And with several Democratic stars already or likely to be in the race, they don't really see a need to care about minor players like Dodd. Even Imus, on whose program Sen. Dodd announced his candidacy, told Dodd that he wasn't going to vote for him.

Dodd will need to make a unique and inspiration pitch as to why he is going to be the best choice for the next president. Right now, he isn't making it. He told the Courant:

"There's an obvious sense of urgency people feel today, a sense of unease, and it's not just about Iraq. There's a desperate cry for leadership, and I'm fundamentally optimistic.

"We're not beyond the point where things can't be done to make the country better. But you have to know how to lead and have the capacity to bring people together. "

Dodd seemed unfazed by his underdog status. "There's a pace to all of this. ... It's 12 months and basically four states," the early primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

As far as the Democrats go, he'd probably be a better president than, say, Hillary Clinton, but that isn't saying much. I predict he'll drop out after the first four states and won't get nominated for the vice-presidency.