Richard Blumenthal, what on Earth are you doing?

Democratic Senator Chris Dodd announced he did not wish to seek reelection in January 2010. Dodd had been trailing in polls against GOP front runner Rob Simmons, who had successfully exploited Dodd's relationship with the financial industry in the wake of its meltdown. Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut's attorney general, announced his candidacy shortly following Dodd's withdrawal. Initial polls taken shortly after he entered the race showed him with a 19-36% lead. As AG, Blumenthal enjoys unusually high favorability ratings during an election cycle in which incumbents are extremely vulnerable. This was until the gaffe.Blumenthal was giving a speech at a veterans' ceremony when he said:

We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam. And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it -- Afghanistan or Iraq -- we owe our military men and women unconditional support

This would sound fine if it were not for the fact that Blumenthal never served in Vietnam. In fact, it appears he received at least five deferments from the draft. Why would anyone say something like this? What I think Blumenthal is suffering from is a bad case of Martha Coakley syndrome. Here's how it goes. Polls show a Democratic senate candidate running extremely well against their Republican opponent in a very liberal state. They become extremely cocky, making extremely wrong and damaging comments that sink their polls numbers and their campaign. Martha Coakley claimed Curt Shilling is a Yankee fan. Blumenthal claimed he was a veteran. Sadly, these two comments will probably turn out to be equally inflammatory.

Will this comment turn out to be as damaging as some of Coakley's gaffes during the 2010 special election? We don't know yet, but it is certain Blumenthal is far too cocky at such an early stage of the election season.