Shorter Rob Simmons & Sam Caligiuri:

It’s disgraceful that Chris Dodd took money years ago from employees of companies now receiving federal bailout money. And since all of you AIG employees now have extra money in your pocket thanks to that returned Dodd check, you can make your donations out to our campaigns via check, money order, or credit card.

In all seriousness, this is what Simmons actually said:

“I don’t feel that I have any constraints on me,” Simmons said.

That’s for sure. During his career in Congress, Simmons has accepted more than $1 million from PACs and individuals associated with finance, insurance and real estate.

I tried again with Simmons. Does all this talk about Dodd being a lying weasel mean that you will reject the kind of contributions that the senator’s critics are slamming him for?

“I’m a private citizen right now. I’m not a member of the Senate. I’m not the chair of the powerful banking committee, which oversees this disaster to the economy,” Simmons said.

“I will make that judgment when the time arrives.”

And Caligiuri isn’t even sharp enough to realize the grenades he’s throwing at Dodd might bounce back his way:

 “I haven’t thought about that,” Caligiuri responded when I asked whether he planned on refusing any money from anyone.

Dodd is going to have to run a real race this cycle. But as long as he’s up against buffoons like these, I like his odds.