From the Politico:
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd (D) looks like he’s in serious trouble for reelection if he faces former GOP congressman Rob Simmons, according to a newly released Quinnipiac poll.
Dodd trails Simmons by one point, 43 to 42 percent. In a head-to-head matchup with CNBC host Larry Kudlow, Dodd leads 46 to 34 percent.
“These numbers have to worry Sen. Christopher Dodd. Former Congressman Simmons is not well known outside his district, yet he is running neck and neck with Dodd at this point,” said Quinnipiac pollster Douglas Schwartz.
Dodd, who has served in the Senate since 1980, has seen his popularity dented over allegations of a special mortgage deal and over his tenure as chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
While I’m not a fan of Simmons, he is a legitimate challenger to Chris Dodd.
That said 2010 is long way off and Simmons is going to have over come a number road blocks, chief among them fudraising. Chris Dodd is a proven fundraiser and an incumbent, Simmons is going to have to raise millions to compete with him. That’s going to particuarly difficult in a year when the NRSC will have to support open seats and vulnerable incumbents with a better chance of winning.