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
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Godspeed Chris. I never imagined that "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" was a true story that just hadn't happened yet. I know you're no naive flag waving boyscout leader like Smith was, but I'm hoping for a good ole fashion happy ending just the same. Sock it to em!! You've lots of fans out here in the blogosphere, and you're looking better all the time- stay the course - you've got my nod.
Why is this even an issue? Bush/Cheney knew data mining was Illegal but they "asked" the telecoms anyway. It is Bush/Cheney were your focus should lie. Ever find those emails? Hear from H. Myers yet? Your comrades have cowered to this administration for far too long. It is time you went for the jugular.
Just for the record, Russ Feingold has vowed to fight this bill if it contains the immunity clause, though he has not yet gone so far as to say that he will put a hold on it or filibuster it.
Gosh, Senator Dodd if you keep this up you may have to join Senator Lieberman's Independent Connecticut Party. Your comments cut harder on your Democrat colleagues especially those who knew during much of such debates that President Kennedy had used CIA for domestic spying. I am sure your father would be proud though that as he stood for justice for earlier Saddam types, yet of German origins, you won't cut corners on protecting others from such, especially where Clintons' went soft on such. Nice seat at game 6.
From such, on such, such such such. JPH your post is largely incoherent. The issue today is not the crimes of forty years ago, it is the crimes of yesterday and the day before, crimes that would make Franklin's blood boil. It is the continuing criminal behavior of a NeoCon Republican administration that presents the greatest threat to our system of government and our way of life. The "and domestic" bit in the oath is far from an accident and is not even remotely a rhetorical throw-away phrase.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." -- Mohandas Mahatma Ghandi
Indeed, psycles.
In Alabama, I have Senator Sellouts Shelby and Sessions, two of the biggest bush buttkissers in Congress. Thanks to Senator Dodd's citizen co-sponsored bill to restore habeas corpus, I actually have had a voice in this constitutional shred-a-thon being waged by the Bush Administration. My voice is small, but enough people coming together against these power-grubbing thugs will quell them eventually.
Why does it seems with oncoming elections a renewed vigor majestically appears to defend this country's Constitution. Why isn't that an issue every year?
Not meaning any disrespect Mr. Dodd, but have you been as vociferous the past seven years. And what does it take to impeach a president. The GOP manages to do it predicated on something as trivial as an office affair. Sending our troops into harms way based on a fabrication though? Allowing Blackwater thuggery, trouncing of human inalienable rights in places like Gitmo, and Abbu Graib prisons. Allowing the people of New Orleans to suffer so needlessly.
Ah is it now we hear such footstomping. And promises for change. We don't want change every four years, we want it when its necessary, when we're hurting, when we need our leaders to listen to us.
And that tends to be every four years. Unfortunately.
Dodd and Kucinich and about half of the dems are really good people!
Senator Dodd,
Thank you so much for defending the greatest document the world has ever seen, The Constitution. I only hope all of your democratic colleagues will also stand with you in supporting that which they have sworn to defend. It would be an honor to have a man like you as president.
Cheney thinks the world's greatest document is his Halliburton dividend check.
by what standard is the US Constitution the greatest document? It borrows much from the Magna Carta, is exceedingly vague.
All patriotic claims of its perfection are ad antiquitam and made by those never having experienced another government, say Canada, Denmark or Monaco.
Senator,
Thank You! Why living up to your oath of office hasn't been pressed more against all of the politicians is beyond me. There is no excuse any of them can give when asked why they aren't. This needs to be pointed out again and again. If you continue speaking the truth and challenging your fellow democrats I will be voting for you.
Bless you Senator Dodd...I wish the leadership of our party had the cajones to stand up to this Administration and call for an end to this war and stop this FISA bill...
I'm so angry at Pelosi, Hoyer, Reid, and my own Feinstein that I could spit!
What in the Hell do they think we sent them to Washington to do...blust
Giving retroactive immunity to the telecoms for breaking the law is beyond comprehension. Seriously, there is nothing that would make me understand why breaking the law and SPYING on American citizens should be forgiven. NOTHING
The New York Times had one paragraph about this story. Could it be that they were afraid of losing advertising dollars? (this page even has a Verison advertisement on it) Why isn't this a huge story?
To all of those, on this site, who bitch about weak kneed Democrats, Dodd is a breath of fresh air. While Hillary and Barak sit on the sidelines too scared to take a stand, Chris is making a firm stand. I, for one, am supporting anyone like him or Kucinich who believe in our great constitution.
http://www
correction
I have a new found admiration for Senator Dodd. I have e-mails pouring in from Senator Clinton, Obama, Edwards asking me to join their campaign. The deciding has caused me some anguish until now.
Empty promises is what we get when we put our faith in these politicians. I am proud to say that you have changed my mind through your actions. Once again I can feel proud to be an American. The American people are wanting to be heard. You have all the potential to be the Voice of the People. Senator Dodd Thank You for giving us hope.
And I refuse to give money to the Democrats this year...unt
Thank You Senator. You have found your voice and, frankly, it is the sound of sane and intelligent leadership we have been starving for in the wilderness that used to be America. These serious times call upon all of us to lead this nation back to its principles and forward to meet its very real challenges. We are ready to reject the manufactured fear and reckless error that has led to this assault on our Constitution and the failed policies that have stripped us of our dignity as a free people. You will find a serious nation ready to embrace a serious candidate. You have moved to the head of the class.
For reference, one can look to early 1930's Germany for some unsettling parallels.
Hey Dodd,
How do you raise money for a POTUS run and not become a servant to the real threat to our constitution: corporations?
If you run against them, they fund up your opposition to kill you. If you run with them, you continue the weakening of America through privatization, pillage of the treasury, and what will surely become a fiefdom economy with super-rich owning the poor.
Well said. Until we have publicly financed elections, the system will never again work for the PEOPLE.
And if it takes a constitutional ammendment, so be it.
The people are so screwed and have been for a long time. I have been totally in favor of publicly financed elections for a long time. Only then will the people have a voice in this once great country. The corporations are a crawling mass destroying the American people and everything in its path. What a shame.
Excellent point.....
When the poor get hungry enough they will consume the rich. No number of bought judges, no amount of ammunition, no count of Blackwater bodyguards can protect them. Why don't "The Rich" understand even the most simple lessons? I'm referring to The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg.
10% of our population pays 70% of the taxes. Wealthy individuals donate billions to charities annually.
Go to school, get an education, get a job and improve your life.
Your post reminded me of a darker side of his campaign, which is that he has gotten most of his campaign cash from lobbyists, PACs, and wealthy donors. I wish that Sen. Dodd would have followed the lead of Sen. Obama and Sen. Edwards in not accepting lobbyist or PAC money and raising money from many small donors.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
