My Oath of Office
As required by Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution, Members of Congress are bound to support the Constitution. We take the following oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."
As the representatives of the American people, our job is in many ways quite simple: to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." There's no question in my mind that Democrats were given a majority in both the House and the Senate based on their promises to change the course of the country. We were elected to strengthen the nation by ending this war, restoring our standing in the world and returning the nation to an adherence to the rule of law. An integral part of that mandate was to reverse and stop the Bush Administration's assault on the Constitution.
Yet, we today are faced with the possibility that the Senate will see a renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that enables the Bush Administration to broadly eavesdrop on American citizens and provides for retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that helped them violate civil liberties and the law.
The Constitution of the United States belongs to the American people, not to the Bush administration. It is our responsibility as Senators and Congressmen to stand up and fight for it.
That's why I announced last week that I would put a "hold" on any FISA reform legislation that includes retroactive immunity for telecom companies -- and why, if my hold is not honored for some reason by the Senate Leadership, I pledge to filibuster to stop telecom amnesty from becoming law.
The need to honor our oath of office isn't limited to defending the Constitution. Anyone who has paid attention these last five years knows that there is no military solution in Iraq. We will be more safe and more secure when we get our troops out of Iraq. To continue on this failed course, to continue to fund our involvement in Iraq's civil war is, in my opinion, a dereliction of our oath of office as well.
The path forward is clear: it's time for Congress to set a date certain for withdrawal from Iraq and tie it to funding. If I could, I'd say we start bringing our troops home tonight to the heroes welcome they deserve. At the same time, we have to act to defend the rule of law and support the Constitution.
The truth is, I never thought I'd be running for President on a platform of restoring the Constitution and America's standing in the world or something as elementary as honoring the oath of office we take. But with our security at risk, we haven't any other choice. I haven't forgotten the words I first uttered on January 4th, 1975 and I will dedicate myself to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic until I take the oath of office on January 20, 2009 - this time, as the President of the United States. I hope you'll stand with me and ask your Senators to do the same as they consider further funding for the war in Iraq and retroactive immunity for telecom companies.
Learn more about my campaign at ChrisDodd.com.
Follow Sen. Chris Dodd on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenChrisDodd
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We have been needing somebody to stand up for our Constitution. Thank you for having the courage to do it. It will win you the love of many disgusted Americans who have grown tired of the theft of our nation by the worst bunch of politicians we have ever suffered under.
Senator Dodd,
I wish you and any other Senator, (Biden said he'd be with you), who supports what you are saying and doing good luck and God speed. I believe there are some tips for how you physically can get through a filibuster from, of all people, the late Strom Thurmond who did it with much success, if not for the right reasons.
I think the American people need to learn about this important though not particularly appealing aspect of our Congressional politics. Don't forget to bring a copy of the Wash. D.C. phone book with you. Maybe even a Harry Potter?
I want the war stopped at once. I want George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney taken from the White House in chains by federal marshals, and I want their lying, murderous asses clapped into prison or, if possible, hanged for their treason against the United States of America. I want habeas corpus restored. I want our Bill of Rights reaffirmed. I want the USA Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act repealed. Lend your weight to those projects, Sen. Dodd, and you've got my vote for president. Our country, our people are shopping for a champion. It might as well be you.
IMPEACHMENT is also part of the Constitution. Failure to impeach a president and vice president who violate the constitution is also a failure to live up to your oath of office.
As long as you stand up for the Constitution you have my support, and you'll have my vote too if your presidential aspirations come to fruition. Thus far, you seem to be the only Democrat who's acting like you received a mandate in the 2006 elections. It's past time your party started to capitulate on that victory.
I suspect you anticipate the White House will soon label you soft on terrorism-a tactic that has invariably become a form of terrorism itself. Neither is it a secret that big media seems to be ignoring you. Nevertheless I beg you stand your ground. I hope the American people will stand with you.
Pul-leeze!
One correct stand will cause you to change your vote? A very poor reason.....when this is one of the people who voted to enact the tough new bankruptcy measure that will give the banks such a boost at the expense of middle class Americans. And, all the rest of Mr. Dodd's votes need to be examined.
Kucinich has been a consistent champion for the people. He voted against the "war" in the very beginning. Has introduced impeachment proceedings into the House. I urge all Americans to do a bit of real research before assigning their vote.
Too bad that the MSM has already elected Hillary.
Senator, first I would like to thank you for your willingness to defend our Constitution from the attacks made on it by this president, his party, and those compliant traitors in your own party. Second I wish to thank you for your opposition to that bill granting the president more war power (to attack Iran.)
If you have to fight against not only the president and his party but also against many in your own party, doesn't this tell us that our two party system is corrupted beyond belief? Obviously, the same corrupting influences have power over both. Isn't it time we acted to weaken the power of corruption in our politics? Think about instant run-off voting as a means to promote democracy.
Also look to the real reason for the president's war quest. Isn't it time we started seeking justice for aall people rather than supporting some right or wrong? I don't believe this violation of America's traditional values can continue without destroying our nation.
Senator Dodd - one of the very few Democrats with a spine.
Thank you.
I am also going to contact both of my Senators.
Correction to earlier comments: I meant Ass backwards and Cheney changed the authorization to intercept on 6/1/2007 not 9/1/2007.
Senator Dodd,
I support your stand on restoring the Constitution to our system of government, but there are two major factors that doom any candidacy grounded in civic idealism.
As you well know, the first problem is money. The race should not go to the best fundraiser, but it usually does. Media outlets should be required to provide free air time in exchange for the tremendous profits they make off of the public airwaves. Presidential races are largely about enriching media outlets, not advancing public debate in the national interest.
The second problem is ignorance. Too many Americans don't know their own history and as a result, they do not cherish the Constitution and the American story.
Just as Joe Kennedy Senior once said that he would package JFK like so many soap flakes, national candidates are mere commodities to be offered to the public, or more accurately, to donors who purchase national candidates.
Tragically, our current system allows no room for idealism as long as great fortunes determine the choices we are ultimately given.
Your idealism is admirable, but the retail political environment of today renders it mute when money speaks the loudest.
The Bush maladministration and the Republican have misconstrued the Constitution to mean it's meant to protect the government from the citizenry. As backwards. I suggest that in a historical context OBL and the 9/11 defeat of America by the 19 hijackers is best compared to Pancho Villa and his declaration of war against the USA with his invasion of New Mexico and resultant casualties. Villa was pursued in Mexico by Gen. Black Jack Pershing and never apprehended just as OBL was pursued and never apprehended. Both pursuits were terminated due to preoccupation with other wars, WW1 and Iraq invasion. Except for the number of casualties Pearl Harbor and 9/11 were distinctly different. Professor Peter Dale Scott/Scott Dale[?] of the University of Calif. points out in his book the Road to 9/11 that Cheney on 9/1/2001 changed the authorization to intercept hijacked planes from a decentralized to a centralized authorization. On 9/11 the centralized authorization was in effect and any intercept authorization had to come from Cheney/Bush/Rummy which created a delay for the interceptors to halt the hijackers. Had the decentralized authorization been in effect the hijackers would have been intercepted before reaching their targets. In December 2001 the authorization for incepting hijacked planes was changed back to the decentralized model. Curiously, it seems that this change in the intercept authorization was meant to allow the success of the 9/11 hijackers. Finally, the COG, Continuity of Government[now referred to as Change of Government] plan seems to the blueprint for the PNAC with the same signatories. COG has been around for decades and Rummy and Cheney were around when it was conceived.
Senator Dodd,
While it is a sad state of affairs that you have to do so, nevertheless you're to be commended for doing the right thing at such a troubling time in our history. While I have to admit that up to this point Bill Richardson was my choice for President (due to his wealth of experience and the fact that he too made a promise, which is to start bringing our troops home immediately), I now have to say that I'd seriously consider voting for you given your stance on defending the Constitution.
Keep up the great work, it's refreshing to know that the word integrity still exists within some of the folks in Congress who work for us - the American public. We need more of the likes of you, Russ Feingold and Pete Stark.
Eloquently expressed Honorable Senator Dodd, eloquently expressed indeed. Simple put, that's all I would ask.
Seems Sir, you and I are in the exact same stream of consciousness on this issue and it is one I have personally expressed here on Huffington Post many times myself, I don't believe it's asking too much of my elected officials. Just honor the Oath, as our beloved Service Members have and continue to do, these brave Women and Men have served with distinction and deserve no less. Agape.
While it would've been great if your courage could've come to the fore when the PATRIOT Act was first passed, or the Military Commissions Act was passed and then in August when the PATRIOT was renewed; I'm grateful that it has finally showed up. I feel as if somebody inside my Senate is finally listening and understands that there is nothing more important to the future of this country than fixing our shredded Constitution . If it comes to a filibuster, and you don't fold up your tent a la' Sen. Reid and all the other wimpy Democrats, I promise I will support you in your run for President. Furthermore, any Democrat that doesn't stand with you should be targeted for ousting at the earliest electoral opportunity.
THANK YOU CHRIS YOU WILL MAKE A FINE PRESIDENT!!
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