Sandwich King Hanging Up His Apron

The announcement Tuesday that North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan was retiring caught many Democrats by surprise. Well, today's new that Chris "Sandwich King" Dodd has cut and run will be a mighty blow to Democrat prospects this November.

Connecticut Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, a five-term Democrat whose political stock began falling after the financial meltdown and his failed 2008 presidential bid, has decided not to seek reelection in November, Democratic officials said early today.

Word of Dodd's retirement came hours after North Dakota Democrat Byron L. Dorgan, 67, announced he would not run for reelection. Republicans stand a good chance of taking Dorgan's seat, but Dodd's could stay with the Democrats. Although Dodd was personally unpopular, President Obama won Connecticut handily in 2008.

Dodd was expected to make an announcement today. The officials who disclosed his plans would speak only on condition of anonymity. The Washington Post first reported his decision on its website.

Dodd, 65, is chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, which was at the center of efforts to deal with the economic meltdown. He also has played a prominent role in the healthcare debate.

Dodd has taken heat for a discounted VIP mortgage loan he got from a subprime lender and has consistently trailed potential GOP challenger Rob Simmons in Connecticut polls. Simmons, a former House member, has his own challenger in World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Linda McMahon, who is also seeking the Republican nomination for Dodd's seat.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is expected to quickly announce he'll seek the Democrat nomination.

Given Dodd's bad poll standing, other Democrats have gone out of their way to give him the spotlight in hopes he could recover before November.

With Dodd stepping aside, Democrats can now try to recruit a more popular candidate to run in the Democratic-leaning state, bolstering the prospects of thwarting a Republican victory. Among the early favorites to replace Dodd is longtime Connecticut state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who is seen as one of the state's most popular politicians.

"Republicans thought they might steal this seat, but now they should probably look elsewhere," said Roy Occhiogrosso, a veteran Democratic strategist in Connecticut and a Dodd supporter. "This is Dick Blumenthal's race. People in Connecticut know who he is. They know the work he's done. They know he can go to Washington and continue the same kind of work."

It's quite possible nutroots darling Ned Lamont may give it another shot although he may now be facing spending restrictions in Connecticut.

Conencticut is a reliably blue state and Dodd's quitting may actually enhance their chances of keeping the seat considering Simmons has more garnered support out of disgust with Dodd while McMahon carries more than enough baggage considering her background.

With Dodd and Dorgan running for the hills, what other longtime Democrats facing problems might consider retirement? Might the passage of ObamaCare give Dingy Harry a convenient reason to call it a day?