"Mr. Dodd, your close-up is ready." Photo by Chion Wolf
by John Dankosky – No shocker outta Hollywood today: Chris Dodd revives the Jack Valenti role as high-powered lobbyist for the film industry. It’s a deal reported to be worth more than $1.5 million dollars.
I talked to one interested observer, the man who (until today) had most directly benefited from Dodd leaving the senate, Richard Blumenthal.
“I certainly wish him well. He had a distinguished career in the U.S. Senate…and I think this new role will give him an opportunity to continue talking to his former senate colleagues,” Blumenthal said.
“The motion picture industry has changed dramatically and profoundly from its beginnings. And, it has entered a new stage where it needs someone with the insights into the political process, but more importantly the sensitivity to what ordinary people are thinking which Chris Dodd has certainly developed over a long career,” he said.
But, befitting a man who – when asked his title – still defaults to his old job, (“Richard Blumenthal, Attor…Senator,”) he couldn’t help but get in a plug for “consumer interests,” which he feels Dodd could help with from inside the movie industry.
When I mentioned to the Senator that “consumer interests” don’t seem front of mind for an industry that charges $12 a ticket for “Just Go With It“…and then tacks on $7 for a tub of popcorn, Blumenthal expressed his faith in Dodd.
“Maybe he can bridge the gap and reduce the price of popcorn you pay. Chris Dodd is capable of many things,” Blumenthal said.
