As you may know, I will be blogging over at The Left Coaster on the Dodd Campaign. For the first post, I thought it would be appropriate to lay out the reasons why I am supporting Chris Dodd for President. This is the only post that will be cross-posted here.
This is a personal endorsement and does not reflect the views of CTLP or any of the other posters on the front page.
I am proud to endorse Chris Dodd for President for many reasons (the major ones of which are discussed here), but one stands out above the rest. Leadership. On every issue, from Iraq, to the growing climate crisis, to the rule of law, Chris Dodd has done more than talk the talk of a Presidential candidate – He has led.
For me, the most important of these issues, the one that all of the others are based on at a fundamental level, is the restoration of the Constitution. I became a Chris Dodd supporter for certain and for good when I read these words:
The parallels with the situation we find ourselves in today are chilling — today we see an Administration that too often uses the law and its advocates not to uphold justice but to undermine it, enlisting attorneys to weaken laws and agencies that protect citizens here at home and our men and women in uniform abroad.
Let there be no doubt that Mr. Khadr, Mr. Hamdan and their fellow detainees are accused of serious crimes — crimes they might well be guilty of.
Yet once again, we should reject the certainty of execution and incarceration for uncertainty of the rule of law and justice.
Why? Because America has always stood for something more.
[emphasis mine]
Senator Dodd has lead the fight on the primacy of the rule of law with his Restoring the Constitution Act (as I write this the Senate is debating the Dodd-Leahey Restore Habeas Corpus Amendment and Senator Dodd has taken the lead on whipping the vote):
The first thing I will do … is by executive order, restore Habeas Corpus, restore the Constitution of this country – there is nothing more important than that.
On the environment, he has led by proposing a corporate carbon tax.
On Iraq, he was the first candidate with a vote to come out against any Iraq measure that does not include a timeline for withdrawal (prompting the other candidates).
Not to mention his call to national service:
On all of these (and on health care, education, economic opportunity, etc.) issues, Senator Dodd has been far out in front of the other Democratic Presidential candidates, rhetorically and practically.
When I hear the Democrats of the Boomer Generation talk about being inspired enough by John or Robert Kennedy to get out on the Presidential campaign trail to stump for a candidate for the first time, I used to think that it is a shame that my generation of Democrats hasn’t had a similarly inspirational candidate. I don’t any more – Chris Dodd is that candidate.
A word on primary polls: Who cares? In a primary, we have the flexibility (and the responsibility) to evaluate our party’s candidates and support the candidate the candidate who we believe would make the best President – polls and media narratives (5 months before an absurdly early primary schedule!) be damned. Take a look at Senator Chris Dodd – you will like what you find.
21 responses so far ↓
You neglected to mention that he was the one heathen who was welcoming Sen. Craig back to D.C. yesterday with open arms. Dodd had my vote and just lost it yesterday. I guess as a Connecticut voter, integrity and character is actually a big deal to me now. If I’m going to openly knock DeLuca for being a criminal, then I’m going to knock Dodd for supporting criminals.
I’d be interested to hear the opinions of those Dems who regularly post here as to why Dodd consistently polls fourth in our state.
KEEP CRAIG ALIVE!
If a hug from Dodd can help to keep him in the Senate, why that’s a great thing!
And really, soliciting free gay sex is creepy, but is it that big a crime. Vitter was far worse in that he routinely paid for his. (Which might be better than buggering interns!)
I give Dodd a lot of credit: he’s been out in front of the other candidates on a lot of issues.
So why is he doing so miserably? I think national media coverage and the expectations game played by the pundits has a lot to do with it. I also think that a lot of Democrats haven’t really made up their minds, and most polls right now only show name recognition.
Gabe–
How about a poll as to who would make the best President, perceived electability aside? Dodd would get my vote!
Please route all poll requests to Genghis, I have no idea how he gets those up!
[quote post="976"]And really, soliciting free gay sex is creepy, but is it that big a crime. [/quote]
That’s the ACLU’s argument–that since there was no intent to pay for sex or have sex in public, it is not or should not be illegal to solicit. Frankly, I think that argument does have some merit.
[quote comment="19478"]Gabe–
How about a poll as to who would make the best President, perceived electability aside? Dodd would get my vote![/quote]
Will do. This post or a new post? I’m thinking a new post.
Yeah, but gay sex in public bathrooms does qualify as lewd conduct. I mean kids use the same bathroom!
Anyway, how about that poll. Electability concerns aside, who do you think would make the best President? You could do one for the Republicans as well, although Ron Paul would win it, as he does almost every online poll.
[quote post="976"]Anyway, how about that poll.[/quote]
It’s up now.
[quote comment="19476"]KEEP CRAIG ALIVE!
If a hug from Dodd can help to keep him in the Senate, why that’s a great thing!
And really, soliciting free gay sex is creepy, but is it that big a crime. Vitter was far worse in that he routinely paid for his. (Which might be better than buggering interns!)[/quote]
[quote comment="19483"]Yeah, but gay sex in public bathrooms does qualify as lewd conduct. I mean kids use the same bathroom!
Anyway, how about that poll. Electability concerns aside, who do you think would make the best President? You could do one for the Republicans as well, although Ron Paul would win it, as he does almost every online poll.[/quote]
Seems like you’re talking out of both sides of your mouth.
First, Dodd is great for hugging Craig, after all, what he did wasn’t that bad.
In your second post, it is lewd… is it still ok for hugs and kisses from Dodd?
Oh come on. You’ve never had sex in a place you weren’t supposed to?
The airport police were right to ticket not gay Larry, and Dodd hugging him was no big thing.
And of course Vitter got a standing ovation from the Republican caucus…
[quote comment="19493"]Oh come on. You’ve never had sex in a place you weren’t supposed to?[/quote]
There is a difference between doing it somewhere you aren’t supposed to and it being a constant problem. When it becomes a problem, you try to eliminate the problem, thus the arrests. This wasn’t a couple shagging in the park, it was numerous people meeting in a public bathroom to get off.
To clarrify, That’s not to say that both aren’t illegal, just that one supports the need to surveille and arrest, the other, if caught, requires a swift kick in the a double s and a “don’t let me catch you doing this here again…”
What? Dodd huged Craig in the senate bathroom? Well, I never…
[quote comment="19498"]To clarrify, That’s not to say that both aren’t illegal, just that one supports the need to surveille and arrest, the other, if caught, requires a swift kick in the a double s and a “don’t let me catch you doing this here again…”[/quote]
That’s funny, Republicans weren’t phrasing it that way when Clinton was getting attention for his infidelities.
Dodd — waitress sandwich anyone? — wasn’t bothered by what happened one Easter Sunday in the Oval Office between the President and an intern, so why would he be bothered by what Craig allegedly did?
Someone make a float, and fast!
I can see it now, on buttons and websites around the state…. The Hug.
Chris Dodd has a very long history as a US Senator and his “leadership” in his Presidential Race leaves me wanting. We wouldn’t need his “leadership” on Iraq if he had done more in the Senate in 2002 and 2003. We wouldn’t need his “leadership” on Habeas Corpus if he had done more not to lose it in the Senate. Where was he on Roberts? Where was he on Alito? I have never seen Dodd come up with even a 1/8th “profile in courage” in the US Senate.
The Oval Office is not a place for someone who has never been able to stand up to the bullies of Washington DC.
I’m sorry. Dodd who again?
Dodd gives the Constitution lip service, but does his voting record reflect that?
Ron Paul walks the walk. That’s why he’s so popular and his support is growing by the day. Ron Paul is raising money by the MILLIONS and is on his way to winning the New Hampshire primary. Watch what happens in Manchester the weekend of September 29/30.
Any Democrat who wants to vote for Ron Paul in the CT primary on February 5th, 2008, MUST re-register as Republican by November 6th. Everyone else has until January 31st to do so.
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