Menendez: DSCC ‘absolutely’ standing behind Dodd

J. Taylor Rushing emails this interesting exchange Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (N.J.) had with reporters earlier today:

Q: “Does the DSCC still support Chris whole-heartedly in light of these new numbers, and do they surprise you?”

Menendez: : “Are you serious? Chris Dodd is going to be re-elected. He’s a great senator.”

Q: “So the DSCC still supports him all the way?”

Menendez: “Absolutely.”

This, of course, would seem to dispel initial rumors that the DSCC could look to force Dodd into retirement in light of his sinking poll numbers. Then again, it doesn’t really seem feasible that Menendez could say anything else right now, even if he is thinking of other possibilities for Connecticut.

– J. Taylor Rushing contributed reporting