Former Rep. Rob Simmons’s (R-Conn.) Senate campaign launched a Twitter account mocking Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) for being beholden to special interests. Simmons is in a GOP primary to face the five-term senator in 2010.
Simmons tweeted news of the account’s creation on Wednesday:
Introducing @PocketDodd — now you too can have Connecticut’s Senior Senator in your back pocket: http://tr.im/pocketdodd
@PocketDodd, lists Dodd’s location as “Iowa, Ireland, DC.” “Ireland” references Dodd’s cottage on the country’s west coast he allegedly purchased at a controversial bargain price.
Critics have connected his supposed cottage deal with his involvement with the Countrywide Financial mortgage loan scandal. Dodd, who tweets @SenChrisDodd, was said to have been a part of the now-defunct company’s illict “Friends of Aneglo” program in which influential borrowers received discounts on mortgage loans.
Dodd moved his family to Iowa in 2007 in the wake of the 2008 presidential campaign, drawing accusations of political opportunism from his critics including Simmons.
@PocketDodd’s bio links to a Simmons web release that said:
If you’re a wealthy special interest donor — like Angelo Mozilo of Countrywide Mortgage, or the guys at AIG, or even a pawn shop owner — you can rest easy knowing that you have a powerful Senator like Chris Dodd in your back pocket.
The release also solicits donations for Simmons’ campaign.
@PocketDodd’s last tweet struck a sarcastic note and also linked an article by The Hill’s Kevin Bogardus about Dodd’s recent meeting with high-profile lobbyists in Martha’s Vineyard:
Note to self: Next time don’t put out an anti-lobbyist video right before heading to lobbyist retreat on the Vineyard: http://tr.im/trvj
Dodd attended the gathering after publishing anti-lobbyist web videos on his campaign website.
Republicans have targeted the embattled Dodd to help lead a comeback in the Northeast. Although Simmons has been outpacing Dodd in recent polling, Dodd trumped his top two GOP challengers, Simmons and former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley (R), in second quarter fundraising.