Maybe when there are actual findings rather than specious charges?  Far be it from me to discredit your experience watching E News regarding a completely different topic, but I would prefer to wait until someone a little more credible weighs in.

... what happened here is unfortunate, and to save face and reputation, he should recuse himself on anything related directly to Countrywide, and blatantly be holding no favorites with regard to it.

Really, he seems like a good guy, and there's no reason to bitch too much about bribes, corruption and outright blackmail in Washington.

It happens. 33% of the congresscritters are probably blackmailed.

At least this is out front and personal. Now, Senator Dodd, step up!

This is total bs. Who in the hell doesn't believe that if you are a US senator you don't get treated like a VIP when you go into a restaurant, get a car loan, board a plane, rent a car, etc etc. The amounts involved are totally trivial, and somehow I don't see Dodd subverting the constitution for an extra 25 bips off his mortgage. When someone has some serious to say by all means say it, in the meantime lets leave it to the extreme right to scream about it in order to distract attention from serious conflict of interest matters like those affecting Stevens and Young.  

This Dodd thing has no legs; if it were possible for you to embarass yourself any further, you would be in disgrace.

Luckily for you and sadly for us, you seem to have no shame in peddling unfounded accusations about respected congresspeople.

But, I have a hard time making excuses for Democrats when they do things I attack Republicans for doing.

I'd love to see one of those diaries where you're attacking Republicans when you have the chance!

I'm keeping my eye on it, and I am glad that you continue to follow it. But I will not believe him to be guilty until there's a MOUND of circumstancial evidence, not just a little. When he got the mortgage, he wasn't on the banking committee and mortgage rates were already in their free-for-all phase.

Do I think Dodd should have taken it? No. Do I think he really, really regrets it and probably only realized after the fact that it was out of the ordinary? Yes.

If he stonewalls an investigation, I will be upset. But as I've said before, better men than Dodd have been sent shamefully away from their post for bogus accusations. Part of the new Democratic party needs to be not giving in simply on the very idea of having principles.

The only way we will EVER, EVER get frivolous accusations to end is to treat every single one of them seriously and thoroughly.

Anyone who thinks that elected officials, democrats or republicans- whether  Senators, Governors, House Members or Mayors don't get some kind of special treatment and/or perks from business owners, events, restaurants, organizations, vacation resorts, car dealers, finance co.'s must TAKE A DEEP BREATH & DRINK LOTS OF COFFEE.

This HAPPENS In EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY in the world!
Whether in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America or North America.

This happens every single day!

Stop making a Big deal over nothing !

There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between corruption & small perks like this.

No one said Dodd is a saint! He is just as human as anyone else. If he can SAVE MONEY for his family legally, he should go for it.

If someone gives you a break on a getting a Lower Rate & Reducing Closing costs legally & with full disclosure- You are one STUPID person if you say no.

Unless you a filthy rich, you say thank you.

I can guarantee you that ALL 100 U.S. Senators have received "Perks" not once, but many times throughout their careers.

You think Rezko would have even bothered helping Senator Obama or even spending time with Obama if Obama was not a powerful politician ?

That's life. This is America!
 

Lots and lots and lots of people qualify for preferential rates.  It's not like someone handed him a bag of money in a dark alley.  When a Senator gets told that he qualifies for a seat upgrade, do you seriously expect him to investigate to make sure it's not a special favor?

Absent some evidence that he knew he was getting a special deal because of his job as Senator, there is simply nothing here.  Go find that evidence, don't keep telling me that where there's smoke there's fire.  

My problem, and you'll forgive me for saying this but based on your past postings I think it's entirely reasonable, is that in the back of my head I can't help but wonder if you'd be posting this if Dodd weren't in the running for VP (which you would clearly prefer Clinton to be).

Can you tell me that's not the case?