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Mr. Lamont, a virtual unknown when he announced his bid in March 2006, defeated Mr. Lieberman in a primary that generated considerable national attention later that year. He then lost to the senator, who ran as a third-party candidate, in the general election.
"He's a genuine guy," he said of Mr. Dodd, who has seen his approval ratings in independent polls decline considerably over the last 16 months, partly because of charges that he received favorable treatment on two mortgages.
The senator waited eight months before formally addressing the concerns and then did so at a news conference in which reporters were not allowed to use electronic devices of any kind to record his remarks or take photographs.
Washington Post columnist Chris Cillizza has rated next year's Connecticut Senate race as the one most likely to have a change of parties, although his most recent rating had it in second place.
An organization has distributed Dump Dodd signs and bumper stickers across the state.
"He loves people, and I think that is going to come out on the campaign trail," Mr. Lamont said of Mr. Dodd, who has served longer in the U.S. Senate than anybody in Connecticut history.
One night before Mr. Lamont came to town to endorse Mr. Coppola, Merrick Alpert (D-Mystic), who was an aide to former Vice President Al Gore and is now challenging Mr. Dodd for the Democratic nomination, made an appearance at the New Milford Library to discuss and sign copies of his recent biography, "Morning Sun."
"I've got no problem with having challenges," Mr. Lamont, a resident of Greenwich who owns a digital television business, said regarding a potential primary next August for the Democratic nomination.
"It's good to give people a choice," he said regarding Mr. Alpert's campaign.
Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons of Stonington, investor Peter Schiff of Weston, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri of Waterbury, former Ambassador Tom Foley of Greenwich and businessman Linda McMahon of Greenwich all are seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat.
Mr. Lamont, who also attended a fund-raiser earlier this month for New Milford Democrats, said it is "premature" for him to discuss any plans for a possible run next year.
Reports have indicated that he might be interested in seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, who nearly won the Democratic nomination for that office in 2006 and has an exploratory committee in place for a campaign for next year's election, came to New Milford last Sunday to endorse Mr. Coppola.
"He understands jobs, and he certainly knows education," Mr. Lamont said in an interview, making reference to Mr. Coppola's long career as an educator before he retired last June.
The Democratic nominee faces three-term Republican Patricia Murphy in next Tuesday's municipal election.
Regarding issues, Mr. Lamont said he supports Democratic President Barack Obama's plans to increase regulations on the financial services industry, which is a major part of the economy in Stamford and Greenwich.
The Associated Press reported this week that the president has "embraced a House bill that would give the government unprecedented power to seize bank holding companies and other large financial firms teetering on the brink of collapse and stick their competitors with the cost."
Mr. Obama briefly sought the support of the financial community for the stricter regulations during a speech last Friday night at a fund-raiser in Stamford that reportedly generated $1 million for Mr. Dodd's re-election campaign.
"Some of these companies were overleveraged 40 to 1," Mr. Lamont said regarding the conditions that existed a year ago this month when then-Republican President George W. Bush signed a $700 billion economic rescue package for the financial services sector.
"That's why you had this downward cycle that threatened to take down our whole economy," he said.
On another topic, Mr. Lamont said Mr. Obama can justify the rising federal budget deficit, which reached a record $1.4 trillion during the recently completed fiscal year, since the United States needs to bolster economic activity.
"I think strong, strategic investments will be a driver in getting us out of his deep recession we're in," he said regarding the president's $787 billion economic stimulus package and other initiatives.
Mr. Lamont said that he supports Mr. Obama's effort on health care reform, noting that costs in that area increased by 32 percent for his company over the last year.
"As a business guy, if you give me a public option [on health care] that lowers my costs, I will take it," he said.
He said that he is less supportive of proposals to generate more jobs through a tax credit for businesses that hire additional employees.
"At the end of the day, I'm going to hire a guy because I need him," Mr. Lamont said. "I'm not going to hire him because the government gives me a short-term tax credit."
