I'm fascinated by Chris Dodd. As a politician, he's long been just on the cusp of greatness: Losing to Dasche by one vote in the race for Senate Minority Leader, losing to Joe Biden in the race for the 2008 campaign's breakout graybeard, losing to Barney Frank in the tussle to emerge the leading voice on the financial crisis. Each time, so close, and so plausible. Now, a shady-looking mortgage threatens to doom his reelection. But as Jay Newton-Small reports, there's some suggestion that Dodd could find redemption in the health reform effort. Kennedy's cancer has almost entirely sidelined the venerable chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. He has, however, appointed Dodd his deputy, and Dodd increasingly speaks with the voice and authority of his ailing friend. This was particularly obvious at last month's White House Fiscal Summit, where Dodd effectively represented Kennedy at the health care breakout. The pool reporter was clear on this:Sen. Chris Dodd: He spent time with Sen. Kennedy last week.“He is doing well. He is anxious to be back here,” and become engaged in the debate. “It is something he cares passionately about.”[...][Dodd] would like to see Congress and the White House move quickly, with a bill through the Senate by Memorial Day.
Various legislators have quietly told me that they're impressed with Dodd's quick embrace of the issue and confident that his dealmaking talents will come in handy when the legislation needs to be brought in for a landing. He is already being treated as a key player in the process and many expect his role to increase as Kennedy's condition worsens. Indeed, it's thought that he'll succeed Kennedy as chairman of the HELP Committee when Kennedy ultimately does leave the Senate. Meanwhile, Dodd has every reason to identify himself with health reform and associate himself with success; it may be his only chance to secure an accomplishment large enough that Connecticut voters forget the terms of his mortgage.
