Just how much trouble is Sen. Chris Dodd in as he runs for re-election next year?

You’ve seen the surprising opinion polls showing record unfavorability, and other poll finding that any Republican - even those virtually unknown across the state - would beat him easily if the election were held today.

Well, at the well-attended annual meeting of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, outgoing President Joe Greco’s comments about various dignitaries, including Gov. M. Jodi Rell, being unable to make it was followed by a crack about Dodd being available but the group asking him to stay away.

It was met by laughter and a very loud round of applause from the several hundred, typically reserved, local businesspeople, in the room.