Sen. Dodd attempts to re-connect w. CT

Middletown (WTNH) - Senator Chris Dodd is attempting to re-connect with Connecticut in almost daily events over the next two weeks.

The Quinnipiac University Poll last week showed the five-term Democrat with the lowest favorability ratings of any incumbent since Governor John Rowland was enmeshed in scandal.

It's a bad time to be Chris Dodd and Dodd said he knows it. But he plans to remind people of what he's done in the past and the stuff he's working on now.

An event at the Middletown Fire house today was designed to highlight Senator Dodd's work on a grant for fire departments. In his speeches he is making it quite clear he has seen the polls.

"The level of frustration and the anger that people in this state feel towards me, towards what's happened in our country over the last number of weeks and months, I want people in Connecticut to know that I know that," said Senator Chris Dodd.

The event is just one of dozens in the state he has planned during the current congressional recess to reconnect with voters.

"I intend to do everything I can to win back that respect, that support, because that's what I've tried to do over the last 30 years," said Dodd.

It was a very friendly crowd; the firefighters union was the first to endorse Dodd's run for President back in 2007.

He was also joined here by other popular Democrats like Congressman John Larson attended events with him all weekend.

"With time, and certainly we understand the anger is real out there, but with time, with record, the trust remains with Senator Dodd," said Rep. Larson.

Dodd's congressional accomplishments over the years are impressive. But will that matter?

"I think as people see him back here in Connecticut, they're going to realize what an asset he is to the state," said Rep. Chris Murphy. "He's got some work to do but Senator Dodd knows it. And I think people will reward him in the end for all the great work he's done for this state."

"When you're losing your job, losing your house, losing your retirement and the word is your senator may be responsible, in part, for that, then that's a problem and I get it," said Sen. Dodd. "I understand it. I don't think I am the problem but I'm going to fix it."

But more bad news for Dodd: a former first selectman in Greenwich, Democrat Roger Pearson, revealed to News Channel 8 he is "likely" to challenge Dodd in a Primary. Pearson said he's tried to get others to challenge Dodd but if he can't get a credible person to do it, he will, because he said, "Connecticut Democrats deserve to have a choice."