GOIN' HOLLYWOOD – AT 9:07 A.M. ET:  Chris Dodd, the ethically challenged former senator from Connecticut, has a new job that will make full use of his dubious talents:

Chris Dodd has gone Hollywood.

The former Democratic senator from Connecticut was named the new chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America Tuesday, nabbing one of the highest-profile lobbyist jobs in Washington. He starts March 17.

Dodd will now sit at the crossroads of Washington and Hollywood, giving him access to the glitterati that turns heads in town. As celluloid’s man in Washington, Dodd controls a private screening room where he can entertain and bend the ears of top policy- and opinion-makers while they mingle with celebrities.

In picking Dodd, the MPAA has gone with an experienced, well-liked Washington insider during a time of great change in the industry.

Get this, on Dodd's predecessor in the job, former Congressman Dan Glickman, who didn't make the cut:

Dodd will be dealing with issues such as Internet piracy, copyright infringement, taxes and ratings. Glickman’s mixed record with Congress drew criticism from the industry. In 2009, insiders grumbled that he got only $246 million worth of tax breaks for the industry in the economic stimulus bill — credits that were later cut from the final legislation after reports that the industry’s earnings had jumped by double digits.

COMMENT:  Hollywood is known for cutthroat tactics, deception and ego.  Washington is known for...  Well, Chris fits right in.

March 2, 2011