Dodd enlists Kennedy aid in new ad

HARTFORD, Conn., June 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., trailing in a recent poll to a Republican challenger, has enlisted the help of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., observers say.

Kennedy, who has been slowed by a malignant brain tumor, is featured in a Connecticut TV commercial saying Dodd is right man to lead the fight to reform the nation's healthcare system, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported.

"Quality health care as a fundamental right for all Americans has been the cause of my life, and Chris Dodd has been my closest ally in this fight," Kennedy says the in the spot debuting Sunday. "Today more than ever, we have a real opportunity to bring health care reform to Connecticut and all across America, and I believe that with Chris Dodd's leadership, our families will finally have accessible, affordable healthcare."

The newspaper said even though the election for Dodd's Senate seat is 16 months away, he is campaigning hard since a Quinnipiac Poll showed him lagging behind GOP challenger Rob Simmons.

An earlier Dodd ad featured praise from President Barack Obama, The Courant reported.