Vietnam allegations threaten frontrunning Blumenthal in CT-Senate

Updated, 10:43 pm
The New York Times' story detailing Connecticut Attorney General Dick Blumenthal's (D) misstatements about his service in Vietnam -- he received five deferments and never served in the country, according to the paper -- has the potential to fundamentally reshape the Nutmeg State Senate race.
Writes Raymond Hernandez:

"What is striking about Mr. Blumenthal's record is the contrast between the many steps he took that allowed him to avoid Vietnam, and the misleading way he often speaks about that period of his life now, especially when he is speaking at veterans' ceremonies or other patriotic events."

Oomph.
Blumenthal campaign manager Mindy Myers released a statement late Monday night describing the Times story as "an outrageous distortion" although she did not deny the fact that the candidate had misled people about the nature of his service. Myers noted that Blumenthal will appear at a press conference tomorrow with Connecticut veterans.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director Eric Schultz put the blame for the story on Republicans and, in particular, former World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon who is running for the GOP nod.
"Its no surprise Republicans would want to smear Dick Blumenthal, considering all of the debauchery at [WWE] under Linda McMahon's watch," said Schultz.
Ed Patru, spokesman for McMahon, responded that "it's become increasingly clear to us over the past weeks and months as we've researched Mr. Blumenthal that there are some very troubling discrepancies between what he's been saying and the truth."
Simmons, who served in Vietnam, released a statement saying he was "deeply troubled" by the allegations against Blumenthal, adding: "Too many have sacrificed too much to have their valor stolen in this way."
Blumenthal, who has served as the state's top cop since 1988, has held a commanding lead in the open seat Senate race since he entered it. National Democrats spent months ensuring that the popular politician was ready to run if and when embattled Sen. Chris Dodd (D) decided not to seek re-election.
When Blumenthal entered the race, his poll numbers were stratospheric -- he held massive leads over McMahon and former Rep. Rob Simmons -- and Democrats insisted that they had saved a seat and, in so doing, squashed any talk of Republicans picking up the majority this fall.

Even amidst that celebration, however, there were some Democrats who warned that Blumenthal had not been tested in a serious campaign in more than two decades and that once punched -- as he inevitably would be in a high-profile race like this one -- he would collapse.
The Times story would seem to affirm the fears from those Democrats that Blumenthal was not the candidate he was cracked up to be.
"He's popular, but for no particular reason," said one senior Democratic strategist. "No one really knows him, and this fills in the blanks in a pretty devastating way." The strategist added that Connecticut remains strongly Democratic, which works in Blumenthal's favor but acknowledged: "It's a race now."
McMahon is regarded by most national Republicans as their preferred candidate due to her consider personal wealth and outsider profile. Simmons, however, does have an electoral base in his old eastern Connecticut district. The two will face off in an Aug. 10 primary that also includes investor Peter Schiff.
It remains to be seen how badly these revelations will damage Blumenthal's front-running candidacy. He faces only nominal primary opposition at the moment although the state's filing deadline isn't for another week. That week is going to be the toughest of Blumenthal's career.

By Chris Cillizza  |  May 17, 2010; 9:39 PM ET