Dodd and AIG - Did he or didn't he?

(WTNH) - Senator Dodd's final words now on the language in his amendment that allows the AIG bonuses is that he and his staff did write it but he didn't agree with it. But it's quite clear the damage to his credibility has been heavy.

The reaction to Senator Dodd's explanation during News Channel 8's interview yesterday and what he later told CNN has been swift and extremely critical. Typical messages on our website include: "Dodd is trying to dodge another one. It had your name on it but you had nothing to do with it. LOL. Got to love the Washington 2-step."

Reactions from people News Channel 8 spoke with today were similar.

"Obviously, I'm not too happy about the whole situation," said Mike Harvey, of Glastonbury. "Really blows my mind. Not too happy with what Chris Dodd has done."

"Unfortunately that's America's politicians at work," said Tina Boldini, of West Hartford. "You know, that's the way politicians seem to be these days. They say what they expect Americans want to hear."

"I think it's just another example of his inability to he honest with his constituents," said Aaron Jubrey, of Windsor. "I think it's time for him to go."

In a telephone conference call with Connecticut reporters late Thursday afternoon, Dodd tried to straighten things out.

"Had I known at the time that there were any AIG bonuses involved, obviously, that this was going to somehow assist in that matter, I would have rejected it completely," Dodd said. "We were told that this was to avoid some...to avoid lawsuits. But it wasn't my idea, my proposal, my suggestion. It came from the administration; they proposed it, said what the reason was; we agreed to it."

But even the chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party said Dodd could have handled it better.

"I do believe that he might not have been as clear as he should have been but I also believe that the public is just seeing it and not getting the total picture as well," said Chairwoman Nancy Dinardo.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has told CNN that his department did ask Senator Dodd to include a loophole in the stimulus bill that allowed bailed out insurance giant AIG to keep its bonuses because the Treasury Department was particularly concerned the government would face lawsuits if the bonuses were breached.