Enjoying The Ride

Here's to making political profiles readable. His story (Thanks, Raja): As he ambles through the early voting states, there is a decided "Why the heck not?" feel to Mr. Dodd's joyous orbit. As in, why the heck shouldn't Chris Dodd run for president, and enjoy the heck out of the ride?

At 62, this could be Mr. Dodd's last chance to run. He is intent to hang around, to wear well, and he hopes, to get Democrats to say: What the heck? Why not Dodd? He is experienced, telegenic and could hold his own in any popularity contest on Capitol Hill. Which might be a handicap, but what the heck?

He is a throwback to a presanctimonious era when politicians were not so intent on fashioning themselves outsiders and anti-politicians. There is no sexy novelty in Mr. Dodd's candidacy. He is yet another New England Democrat perceived as an establishment liberal. He would not be the first woman, black, Hispanic or Mormon to inhabit the White House. White male senators always run for president, almost as reliably as they lose.