MyDD :: Dodd: The Second Look

Dodd: The Second Look

by Big Tent Democrat, Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:02:48 AM EST

There is one horserace political reporting and blogging convention that I do like - the second look afforded candidates. The second look does not always focus on the substance candidates are offering, but it often does.

The International Association of Firefighters' (IAFF) endorsement of Senator Chris Dodd is leading to a second look at Dodd's candidacy for President.

I hope this second look focuses on how Senator Dodd is providing leadership on the pressing issues the country faces today; the issues that require action now - like Iraq.

With President Bush seeking even more funds now for the Iraq Debacle, Senator Dodd will again lead the charge in Congress to end the Bush Iraq disaster:

I'd be very resistant and I intend to fight any efforts here, I'll do whatever I can to support whatever our troops need to have a safe and secure withdrawal from Iraq. But I don't intend to continue to fund the war over there that I think has no end. As long as we're there, I think the Iraqis are not going to come together as a people it's about time we wound down our military presence there.

But Dodd has been leading the charge on many, if not most of the critical issues we face today - like protecting and restoring the Constitution and the habeas corpus right; like fighting to rebuild Katrina-destroyed, and Bush neglected New Orleans and education, health care and all of our pressing issues.

We have many fine candidates in this race. I hope that voters will be evaluating and judging them on the substance and the merits. I believe Senator Chris Dodd is the best candidate for a number of reasons, but his commitment to fighting for us, fighting for the issues that matter to us, fighting with all his heart and abilities to end the war in Iraq, to restore and protect our Constitution, to address the pressing problems of our country NOW, is what impresses me the most and why I came to support him.

For I believe the best way to determine whether a candidate will lead as President is to watch his leadership NOW. Chris Dodd is providing great leadership now. And he will provide great leadership as the next President of the United States.

You can watch Senator Dodd's appearance today with Iowa firefighters here. Starts in 30 minutes or so.

Tags: Election 2008, Chris Dodd (all tags)

Permalink :: 39 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (none / 0)

youtubes are broken.

by Trey Rentz on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:05:15 AM EST

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (none / 0)

woops never mind you fixed it.:)

by Trey Rentz on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:05:30 AM EST

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (2.00 / 4)

As a CT voter, I've always been favorably inclined toward Dodd, but when he bucked the Democratic establishment and the rest of CT's Congressional delegation by publically campaigning and doing media for Lamont against Leiberman, I've really started to respect him.

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:09:30 AM EST

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (none / 0)

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:09:44 AM EST

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (2.00 / 3)

Another good post, BTD. And, I won't forget what he did for Lamont last year. He's inching up in my book, that's for sure.

by bookgrl on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:12:00 AM EST

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (none / 0)

By all means, let's run another long-term senator from New England!

Those guys always win!!!

Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards

by philgoblue on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:13:08 AM EST

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (none / 0)

I awlays love this line. Did Dukakis and Kerry really lose because they were from New England? They were terrible candidates!

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:15:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (none / 0)

Answer: yes, in part.

Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards

by philgoblue on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:06:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (2.00 / 2)

Guess you are for Hillary, her having the Arkansas connection and all.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:21:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Let's Be Real (none / 0)

I really, really, really like Senator Dodd, a lot more than I like my own Senators Clinton and Schumer. I think he's definitely qualified to be President, and in another era he probably could have won. But times change. In this hyperactive, media-driven era, Chris Dodd would be far from an ideal Presidential candidate. It really would be like running Kerry again, I'm sorry to have to say that. I agree with you that Dodd might actually have a shot, since Kerry came back from way behind to win Iowa and take the nomination. But while I think Clinton would be the weakest of the three front-runners in the General Election, she'd still be a lot stronger than Dodd. It's sad and it's unfair, but I think it's true.

by HatchInBrooklyn on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:28:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

Horserace thinking.

Addressing the substance of each candidates' leadership, posiitons, actions, etc. is what voters will do.

You want to by Stu Rothernberg, that is your perogative.

This post is not about that.

If it was, I might have mentioned the many stories on how Clinton's negatives are a drag on the Party, Richardson's constant mistakes, etc.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:31:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

Yes, it is "horserace thinking." It's unfortunate, but it has to be part of the decision-making process, you have to nominate someone that will do well in the General Election. I agree that Clinton's negatives would be a drag on the party, but I think she'd have a better chance at beating Giuliani than Dodd would. Richardson, who knows... if those were the only two choices, I'd pick Dodd in a nanosecond.

by HatchInBrooklyn on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:38:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (2.00 / 3)

It not only does not have to be a part of the decisionmaking process, it is idiotic to make it a part of the decisionmaking process.

You simply have no idea how a campaign will develop, how a candidate will perform, how a candidate will resonate, etc.

Pick the candidate who speaks for you, who appeals to you, and support them.

I personally find your belief in the Stu Rothernberg component of voter choice to be extremely foolish and harmful.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:41:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Conviction (none / 0)

I have the utmost respect for your conviction, I guess I'm just a little more cynical than you are. If Dodd manages to win the nomination, I will support him wholeheartedly. I would volunteer for Dodd in a heartbeat if he won, while I probably wouldn't do anything that active for Clinton.

by HatchInBrooklyn on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:54:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Conviction (none / 0)

My view is both realistic and conviction filled.

I am realistically calling your approach silly and valueless even on your own terms.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:56:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Remember 2004 (2.00 / 0)

In 2004, voters made the calculation that Kerry was "electable". That calculation gave us a candidate who lost! I hope we never again cower in fear that so-and-so won't like our candidate. We should vote for who we really want and trust the collective wisdom of our party to nominate someone with appeal to the general election voters.

by CA Pol Junkie on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 04:53:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (2.00 / 1)

Dodd is a man of convictions, and there is alot there for eveyone to like, from liberals to moderates. If he gets past the nominating process, he'll win. He starts out from a disadvantage because Obama and Hillary has most of the money, but you never know how an election will turn. I happen to think the firefighter endorsement could bring some momentum to Dodd's campaign, and if he leads on Iraq, well, who knows?

by bookgrl on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:46:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

Another example of Dodd's leadership by conviction - his appearance on Bill O'Reilly's show to stand up for the netroots and push back on O'Reilly's attacks on Daily Kos: watch it here.

by Matt Browner Hamlin on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:08:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (2.00 / 1)

This is exactly why Dodd would be so formidable in a general election. He's a liberal who exhibits a toughness that brings back the Reagan Democrats. Imagine him on a stage next to Guiliani or Romney, and let the Republicans try to push their conventional Democrats-are-weak message.

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:17:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

Great point.

For those who wnder how he can handle the Right Wing smear machine, that was a great example of how Dodd would dismantle it.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:24:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

And if moderate, middle-aged, white working-class men are a block the Democrats are fighting for, it's hard to see how the images of "Barak Obama" or Hillary Clinton or John Edwards fare as well as Dodd.

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:33:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

I considered discussing this but it seemed to me to be more about us in the blogs than about the American People.

I appreciate what Dodd did and especially the aplomb he demonstrated (the real story in that to me was how effectively he took apart the Right Wing smear artist O'Reilly and how he could do so on substantive issues), but his work with O'Reilly pales in comparison to the work he has done and will do on Iraq and on restoring the Constitution.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:22:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

Noty that bloggers are not a part of the MAerican political conversation but it is just that Dodd has been leading on the crucial issues - Iraq, the Constitution.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:26:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Let's Be Real (none / 0)

You're right that we tend to nominate flavors-of-the-month. But why do you think Dodd would be a bad candidate? How would he be like Kerry? He comes across much differently than Kerry, and given his personality and long history with labor, I actually see Dodd winning back the Reagan Democrats. And in a Brand X Democrat year to win, it's hard for me to see how Dodd wouldn't carry the general.

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:45:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (none / 0)

That's a really ... really ... really bad guess BTD.

Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards

by philgoblue on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:05:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (none / 0)

Not a guess. A retort. I know you have supportted Edwards since 1998.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:06:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (none / 0)

2002.

Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards

by philgoblue on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:07:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (2.00 / 1)

Well I assume you supported his Senate run. I did before he became famous. A good lawyer friend of mine from North Carlina sang his praises to me.

And he was not wrong. Edwards is a great Democrat and a great PResidential candidate. I really like what he is doing in this campaign.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:23:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (2.00 / 1)

Nose in the archives in Russia in 1998. No time for North Carolinain politics when you're in Tula.

Seriously, Dodd is my #2. He's been a great Senator and I admire the guy -- FMLA is one of my favorite pieces of legislation in the past 20 years. Even shook his hand and told him that and gave him a thanks as he jumped into his car at YKos.

Michigan For Edwards and Labor-Netroots for Edwards

by philgoblue on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:41:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Last Look (2.00 / 1)

Good for you.

Were I to have the same opportunity, I would do the same with Edwards.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:44:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (2.00 / 3)

You are right. Dodd is leading now. And it is the right kind of leadership that we need.

by DoIT on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:23:44 AM EST

This was Dodd's week. (none / 0)

Let's see what he does with it.

by bookgrl on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:49:21 AM EST

Re: This was Dodd's week. (2.00 / 1)

That's the crucial comment. This is, actually, a test of Dodd's campaign.

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:53:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: This was Dodd's week. (2.00 / 2)

Agreed. With Iraq dominating the Congress in Spetember, the time for leadership is now. Dodd has his chance now.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 09:57:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (2.00 / 1)

Good diary, BTD.

Dodd is a good man and has been right about what to do with Iraq now. His efforts against the war will help end it.

We need all the candidates to fight Bush on this and finish what should have been done in May.

by TomP on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:31:54 AM EST

In the debates (2.00 / 1)

It has been clear to me that Dodd is the most familiar with the issues. His long experience in the Senate has given him a familiarity with the issues that the other candidates cannot match, IMHO.

My admiration for Dodd dates as far back as his leadership on the Contras issue in the 1980's.

What I have trouble with, though, is the vote for the War.

Ultimately foriegn policy is about judgement, and his support of the AUMF troubles me, as it does about Edwards.

I go back and forth between Obama (who was against the War, but may not have the experience), Edwards (who has the right economic theme for this cycle, but also voted for the War) and Dodd.

The race for the nomination is as wide open as it has ever been. The front runner struggles to break 30 in Iowa, and Dodd has raised enough money to be competitive in the first few primaries (which is all you need).

The question is whether he can get heard.

by fladem on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 11:33:54 AM EST

Re: In the debates (none / 0)

It is troubling that he voted for the war. But since then he has not only been outspoken in his opposition to it, he has DEMONSTRATED it by campaigning for Lamont's anti-war challenge to Lieberman, while nearly all of the other Democrats did not, included Obama, who explicitly refused to campaign for Lamont, after coming to CT and publically endorsing Lieberman in the primary.

by justinh on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 12:42:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Path to the nomination (none / 0)

I've come to like Dodd- probably my third choice now behind Obama and Edwards.

How could he get the nomination?

Well...

Edwards takes out Obama in IA and NH, Dodd finishes third in both states.

Feb. 5th, its a three person race- Hillary, Edwards, Dodd. Edwards can't meet expectations, gets trounced or even loses to Dodd in the NE. It becomes a Hillary vs. Dodd race.

This is where it gets interesting- would Dodd prevail against Hillary if that were the real choice Dems had?

Would you hire George W Bush to be YOUR latex salesman?

by jgkojak on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 12:01:57 PM EST

Re: Dodd: The Second Look (none / 0)

I have mentioned before that Dodd would be my second choice behind Clinton. What has been a real puzzle in this election cycle is why Dodd has not done better in the polls. He has good positions on the issues and is one of the most experienced candidates in the race which are two of the most important criteria voters are looking at.

BlueSunbelt.Com Netroots for the Sunbelt states robwire.com My personal blog

by robliberal on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 12:30:10 PM EST

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