THE PROBLEM WITH CHRIS DODD: “I have to say, the worst allegation I’ve heard about Chris Dodd is not that he’s in the pocket of banks and insurers–financial companies naturally seek to curry favor with the Senate Banking Committee, but I don’t really see the case that he’s sold us out for his benefit. No, the more damning case is that the Senate Banking Committee was basically non-functional in the early part of the crisis, because Dodd was running for president. Even if early action could have saved us money and pain later–and that’s a big if–I recently heard a plausible case made that such action was made impossible by his presidential campaign. But somehow, no one finds that offensive, or even notable.”

His belief that he stood a chance also calls his judgment into question, it would seem.