Just a few weeks ago respected electoral handicapper Cook Political Report declared scandal-ridden Connecticut Democrat Chris Dodd a dead senator walking: “It is increasingly clear to both independent analysts and Democratic leaders that Dodd is just too badly damaged to have a decent shot at getting re-elected, almost regardless of who wins the Republican nomination.”

Today, in a desperate move to counteract the impression he’s unelectable, released an internal poll he personally commissioned showing that he’s tied with potential GOP candidate and former WWE CEO Linda McMahon and losing to ex-Congressman Rob Simmons by 5 percent.