Sen. Chris Dodd (D., Conn.) has a primary challenger, a former donor. I was ready to dismiss the challenger, Merrick Alpert, as a no-name, but he has a fairly impressive résumé — Air Force officer who served in Bosnia, advance work for Vice President Gore, started a medical software company.

However, if Alpert ever gains enough prominence to become a real challenge to Dodd, I could see his campaign making hay out of this line: “Merrick transitioned back into the private sector, first working in Oklahoma at Smith Cogeneration International and then in California at Pacific Gas & Electric Energy Services and Enron Energy Services.”

Also note this line:

In 1993, he went to work for the National Health Care Campaign, organizing the State of Oklahoma. While in Oklahoma, he was hired as a policy advisor to the governor of that state.

Why no name for that governor? Well, it was David Walters, and Wikipedia explains:

Walters’ term in office was marred by controversy about making the Blue Room, a ceremonial large hall in the state capitol building into the Governor’s office. Since the large room was more ornate and formal, the effort made questions arise about his judgement. Additionally, Walters term was controversial as numerous former campaign aides testified to illegal activities in his campaign organization. While in office he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election violation as opposed to felony charges. He did not run for re-election in 1994.

Ah. So that’s why he’s The Governor Who Must Not Be Named.