Dodd Calls To Restore Rule of Law

Chris Dodd has planned to introduce a bill to Congress called the "Restoring the Constitution Act 2007". According to Dodd, this is a bill that would "...restore the writ of habeas corpus for individuals in U.S custody, prevent the use of evidence gained through torture in court and limit the authority of the President to interpret the meaning and application of the Geneva Convention."

Dodd spoke about these issues in his DNC speech earlier this month. Dodd has said that the Military Commissions Act was a major step back for America, and it is time to restore the rule of law. He said that when the rule of law is abandoned, "we lose much more than we could ever gain."

Chris Dodd is calling for Citizen Co-Sponsors of the bill. If you would like to sign up, head to the restore habeas website here.

Dodd speaking about the bill.

Chris Dodd on Face the Nation

Chris Dodd appeared on CBS Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer yesterday to discuss his Iraq and his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Dodd made it clear that last week the Congress made a mistake by not debating the actual issue of Iraq - instead of just debating whether to debate. Dodd has been a strong opponent of the war in Iraq.

He will be putting a motion in the Congress to cut funding, but not to endanger the troops currently there.

Dodd also said he was concerned that America might be preparing for a war against Iran. He said that Iran should be engaged through diplomacy.

On his campaign, he spoke of his experience as a Congressmen. He also spoke highly of Obama, after his announcement to run for President Saturday. Questioned on his limited support thus far in the campaign, Dodd said that there is a long way to go before the vote next January.

Head to the CBS site to watch the Video of Dodd yesterday.

Celebrity Contributors for Dodd

Chris Dodd has secured the financial support some of America's better known Hollywood stars, according to his campaign finance report, released last week. Also donating were a large selection of entertainment industry executives.

As reported here last week, Chris Dodd had close to $5 million in the bank so far for his campaign for President.

Some of the contributors to Dodd's campaign were:
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Alec Baldwin
Elizabeth Shue
Chevy Chase
Howard Stringer - CEO Sony
Tom Werner - Boston Red Sox Owner
Robert Iger - Walt Disney President
Bernie Brillstein - Producer
Ron Meyer - President, Universal Pictures
Dick Ebersol - NBC Sports Chair
Jimmy Buffett

Chris Dodd in S.C February 17

Chris Dodd will be campaigning in South Carolina on February 17, adding to a growing list of candidates visiting the Palmetto state during that week.

Dodd will be speaking to Democrats in Colombia, and will then head to the eastern counties to continue his campaign.

However, his visit is likley to be overshadowed in the local and national media by the arrival of Barack Obama on February 16. Obama will be campaigning for two days in Colombia and Orangeburg.

And Hillary Clinton arrives on February 19, which is also the day that GOP front runner John McCain has chosen to campaign there.

John Edwards was in South Carolina on Thursday where he had over 500 people at a town hall style meeting. He won the primary there in 2004.

Chris Dodd Interview After DNC

Have a look at the interview Chris Dodd gave to America Blog www.politicstv.com last week at the DNC Winter Meeting in Washington.

Dodd speaks about his reasons for opposing the Senate Iraq resolution and his position on gay marriage and civil unions. I think Dodd is at his best when he is one on one. On both these issues Dodd takes a principled stance, no equivocating political speak. Check it out. (2.23sec)

Dodd Has $5 million for Campaign

Chris Dodd is off to a good start in his bid to secure the Democratic nomination for President.

Dodd has over $5 million in his Senate campaign account, much of which can be transferred to his campaign for the nomination. Dodd has said that he will no longer be a candidate for the Senate in 2010.

Apparently, Dodd has reported raising over $3 million in the last 3 months of 2006.

Chris Dodd at DNC Winter Meeting

"Americans Are Tired of this Administration"

Chris Dodd was the first speaker this morning at the Democrat National Committee Winter Meeting. The meeting is considered a key platform for potential candidates for the Democratic nomination.

While the Senator from Connecticut is considered a long shot for the nomination, he arrived to large cheers from his many enthusiastic supporters in the audience. And he gave a powerful speech, mixed with strong passion and occasional humor.

Dodd began by thanking DNC chairman, Howard Dean, and all Democrats for their strong efforts last year, across the country in the mid-terms.

He said it is now time to do the same to re take the White House and on January 20, 2009, the 44th President of the United States will be a Democrat.

Dodd asked for his message to be heard. He believes the the American people are fed up with the incompetence of the Bush/Cheney Administration.

Dodd received a standing ovation after declaring that "We are not going to take fear for an answer any more in America, those days are over with."

On Iraq, Dodd said that "Its time for change in Iraq and we are going to insist upon it." He said that Congress has to do more than just sending a meaningless message to the White House, who will just ignore what Congress says on the issue.

Dodd said a real bill with real teeth is what was needed. And he would bring the troops out of Iraq.

Dodd is nothing if not principled. On the removal of Habeas Corpus and abandoning the Geneva Convention, Dodd recalled a time when America had moral authority in human rights and the rule of law.

Dodd promised today that one of the very first things he will do as President would be to send a bill to the house to overturn the "...horrible torture bill that the President signed into law last fall and to begin to restore America's moral leadership in the world - that we must do."

Dodd promised to ensure that those who finished high school had the opportunity to seek further education. And he also promised to protect the manufacturing base.

On health, Dodd said that he would make sure that at the end of his Administration, health care would be provided to every man woman and child in the United States.

Watch the Chris Dodd speech here.

Chris Dodd - Experience Matters

Chris Dodd appeared Sunday Night on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.

Asked how he would rise above the wide field of contenders, Dodd talked about his experience, his 26 years in the Senate, and said that he has been a leader on domestic and foreign problems. Dodd said that he has been involved in every foreign policy and domestic debate involving families and children since coming to Congress.

Dodd said that at this stage of the race for the 2002 nomination, Bill Clinton was well behind, and there was a long time to go between now and the first vote just under 12 months away.

Asked about the support of fellow nutmegger Joe Lieberman who has not ruled out endorsing a Republican for President, Dodd said that he believed that Lieberman would eventually be in his corner.

Chris Dodd On Hardball

Chris Dodd appeared last week on Hardball with Chris Matthews, just prior to the State of the Union Address by President Bush. Dodd talks about the need to get agreement health care, and about the priorities on energy.

Congress Must Approve Troops - Dodd

Chris Dodd has introduced a bill to the Congress to cap the number of troops to Iraq and stop any more troops being sent without the explicit approval by Congress.

"Senator Dodd's bill does not seek to cut off funding for American troops currently in harms way. Rather, it argues that the 2002 resolution has run its course. If the President wants to escalate our military commitment to Iraq and if the President wants to send more troops into the center of a civil war, then the President must make that case to the United States Congress and let the full Congress vote on the merits of such a plan."

Read the statement or have a look at the draft bill here.

Dodd on Fox Today & LiveBlog 4.15PM

Chris Dodd will appear on Fox News today with Bill Hemmer.

Also, in the first truly professional online nomination campaign, Dodd won't be left behind. He will be on Firedoglake this afternoon, starting at 4.15pm (ET). Join in the conversation here.

Dodd travels to New Hampshire

Chris Dodd continued his tour to crucial early states by visiting New Hampshire over the weekend. This follows on from his trips to Iowa and South Carolina last week.

Having already spent time in New Hampshire in the last year, Dodd appeared early on Saturday morning in Nashua to the news that Hillary Clinton had thrown her hat in the ring. Given that Clinton has hardly been seen recently in New Hampshire, this probably didn't bother him except for the unwelcome media distraction.

Dodd travelled to Charlestown and Dartmouth College on Sunday where he asked voters to give him a chance, even though there are higher profile candidates running.

Dodd on Meet the Press

Chris Dodd appeared on Meet the Press with Tim Russert this morning to discuss President's Bush's plan to escalate US involvement in Iraq.

Also appearing this morning were Senators Chuck Hagel, Joe Lieberman and Jon Kyl.

Dodd joined Hagel on the opposing side of the President's plan.

Dodd warned that the troop build up will lead to more of the same. He said that top military people have concluded that America should be focussing on politics and robust diplomacy.

Sending more troops to a city that is being ripped apart is asking for a disaster, Dodd said.

Dodd opposes more troops for Iraq

Chris Dodd has stated to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the President Bush plan for Iraq is an "...unsound strategy and an unsure purpose."

Dodd is calling for a political solution, and says that diplomacy is the only weapon America has left. Dodd wants US troops out of the urban centers where sectarian conflict is so strong. He describes US troops in these areas as being "cannon fodder".

Read Dodd's prepared remarks here.

Dodd visits Iowa

Chris Dodd has made a visit to crucial state Iowa and will follow with a trip to South Carolina this weekend.

This is Dodd's third trip to Iowa since November 2004. He has already been to New Hampshire three times.

Dodd considers that although the polls suggest there are leading candidates in Clinton, Obama and Edwards, the race for the Democratic Nomination is wide open. Dodd believes that a lot of Democrats have yet to make a commitment to a candidate.

Dodd announces a run for President

Chris Dodd, Senator for Connecticut, has announced this morning that he will be attempting to secure the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States.

Dodd was speaking to Imus in the Morning and said that he would be filing the paperwork to run for President today.

Chris Dodd said that he knows how to do this, knows what has to be done, and is "...going to get out and make my case."

Dodd, 62, will be travelling to key state Iowa today, followed by a trip to South Carolina on the weekend.

The campaign funds for Chris Dodd are reported to be over $2million, and he is expected to be able to raise more. Dodd has good ties to labour unions, and has spent a good deal of time campaigning and fundraising for other Democrat candidates.

He is now a critic of the war in Iraq, and opposes more US troops being sent there. Chris Dodd is also in favour of gun control and is considered liberal on immigration issues.

Although his polling numbers are currently low, he is considered by Kathy Sullivan, the Chairwoman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, as being "...very smart. He's also very articulate. And I think he might have the sharpest wit of anyone in the field."

Senator Chris Dodd recently took over as Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.