Maybe not the most accurate political labelling

As of this evening, a third name has entered the Republican race to challenge Senator Chris Dodd in 2010.

Joining Rob Simmons and Sam Caligiuri in competing for the hearts and minds of Connecticut voters is former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley.

I admit I've never met Tom Foley, as I've rarely crossed paths with Greenwich magnates. He is probably a wonderful guy. I might agree with him on all the big issues. But I have my doubts as to the political message he trying to sell.

I agree that after 35 years of Chris Dodd in Washington Connecticut is really ready for someone who is a "a Washington outsider".

I just wonder how many CT voters are going to think someone who was a top political appointee of the last President qualifies for this status. And perhaps working for the provisional government in Iraq won't be too popular in a blue state, no matter how successful one was at the job.

And don;t think Dodd isn;t going to try and save his sorry derrierre by playing class warfare, however hypocritical it may seem. It will be an easier task facing an opponent with Philips Andover, Harvard undergrad, and Harvard business school on the resume.  Or who was a George W. Bush "Pioneer" in a state where even Republicans were a bit cool towards Dubya. 

Perhaps in some other year or some other state I could see this working, however, in the here and now Ambassador Foley seems like yet another Certified Pre-Owned Candidate.   

I think Michael Barone has it right. Republicans need to run against the present establishment, not pretend we are still running it.  Will we need another election debacle to learn the folly of doing the opposite?