The Questions I Wish We Were Asked
Tuesday night's Democratic Presidential debate in Philadelphia included some of the most serious discussions of Iraq, Iran, and global warming that we've had thus far during the campaign season. I was happy to get the opportunity to speak clearly and directly to why I believe I've offered the boldest, most honest assessments on all three of these critical issues.
But they aren't the only areas where the stakes are high and there are clear differences among the candidates. And so, today I want to talk about a few things we weren't asked by the moderators Tuesday night at Drexel University.
For me, it starts with our Constitution. In November of 2006, the American people overwhelmingly elected Democrats with a mandate to change course. Much attention was focused on Iraq, but make no mistake - Americans were also signaling that they wanted Congress to rein in the abuses to the Constitution under the Bush administration and the Republican Congress. Over the last few weeks, we've seen issues pertaining to the rule of law come up time and again.
Retroactive immunity. Waterboarding. The qualifications and judgment of Judge Michael Mukasey. Data mining. Warrantless wiretaps. The list, sadly, goes on...
At no point Tuesday night was I or any of my fellow candidates asked about their opinions these issues -- some of the most important the next President will face. Not once. So I want to take this opportunity now to talk about these issues.
1. Less than two weeks ago, Senator Dodd, you announced you would filibuster any FISA legislation that included retroactive immunity. Why are you opposed to amnesty?
Quite simply: you can't defend America if you don't defend the Constitution.
The Bush administration came to the telecom companies, some even before 9/11, and asked them to eavesdrop on Americans. They didn't produce court orders or warrants to justify their surveillance. And the telecoms went along with it.
These companies have some of the best legal counsel money can buy. They know the law through and through. And they broke it anyway. That is inexcusable and I'm not about to let Congress step in and stop lawsuits against them for violating the privacy of ordinary Americans.
2. Do you think waterboarding is torture?
Absolutely, according to both US law and international conventions. And in my view, the Bush Administration knows full well it is.
3. You were the first Democratic Senator to announce your opposition to Michael Mukasey's nomination. Why do you think he isn't qualified to be Attorney General?
A lot has been made of Judge Mukasey's troubling stance on waterboarding and torture more broadly. While I think those are critically important questions, his beliefs on executive power are in many ways far more important. The attorney general must be a reliable defender of the rule of law.
But Mr. Mukasey seems to share the exact same ideology as other members of the Bush administration. He thinks the President has the authority to ignore the rule in the name of national security. Mr. Mukasey doesn't seem to understand the oath we take: we don't swear to support and defend the Constitution OR protect the country. We defend the Constitution TO protect the country.
For that reason alone, he should be disqualified to serve as the highest-ranking law enforcement official in the United States government. For me, he is. And I would hope the rest of my opponents--Republican or Democrat--would agree. Because it's time we elect a President who understands that while America's strength may come from our military and wealth - its greatness comes from our faith in the values expressed in our Constitution.
Learn more about my campaign at ChrisDodd.com
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Why the HELL isn't this guy the front runner?!
Thank you, Senator Dodd. I hope you'll do America a favor and help our media address these issues by bringing them up yourself at the next debate. Here's my challenge to you: if you feel whatever softball you're lobbed is too inane for the time allotted, answer it clearly & quickly (as you have above), and use your remaining time to intelligently raise more important issues. Take control of the debate. Put your opponents on the defensive. Let them sweat out whether or not they'd be better served by ignoring your remarks and delivering their 5 minute oratory on the fluff topic they've been handed.
It sucks that the best-funded "leader" the Democratic party can produce is a gutless coward whose only apparent talent seems to be in making vague, equivocal remarks that allow her to escape any moral or intellectual responsibility for the decisions she makes.
Why hasn’t anyone asked Hillary, what she plans to do about NATA, and the WTA? Sorry all, but Hillary would be just more of the same, and look where that has gotten us.
Well said. Unfortunately, mainstream media are co-conspirators in failing to defend the Constitution. They know what is in the Constitution and which Rule of Law's are being ignored. When the bell tolls for accountability, their short comings will be exposed. I think they are praying that day never comes.
You are correct, the failure to uphold the Constitution is one of the most important issues for America. If we don't use the Constitution as the Rule of Law, we are no longer the great Country we so proudly claim to be. Sad!
Agreed, nobody seems to take note of the fact that the Constitution has been trampled from the day these guys walked into office, and bravo to you for saying so. We can't even hope that the Supreme Court will stand up for it.
Now the question I wish you had been asked: What about the assertions of Naomi Klein and others that the Iraq war and other disasters have proved great opportunities for multinational corporations to exploit local economies here and around the world, the so-called Shock Doctrine?
I hate the debates. I like the one-on-one interviews.
Debating is an ART you need to perfect and use often. In the last debate there is too much pressure on the amount of time to answer questions-
This leads to candidates making statements now that they might not be able to fulfill. Then citizens are disappointed and say politicians make promise and don't keep them. ITS ALL very UNREASONABLE.
Right on Senator Dodd. The restoration of the Constitution and finally recognizing fully the bedrock American value of absolute Individual Freedom should be at the top of ALL Americans list of government priorities.
Nothing else matters if we live in tyranny...
We need to create a FREE AMERICA.
Thank You Senator Dodd.
Chris,
You are finally coming around. You just gotta quit taking hedge fund money and giving the hedge fund owners preferencial tax treatment .( 15% maximum rate vs. 35% maximum rate for those of us paying regular taxes). And at the same time taking their campaign contributions.
Your buddies Schumer and Kerry are just as guilty.
If you're real, you will support term limits and public financing of elections.
I will vote for and support any candidate that says they will put together a nonpartisan group, and truly investigate, and make the findings known about all of 9-11. I want to know how Tower 7 was reported to have fallen on the BBC 25 mins before it fell. Obviously there was foreknowledge of something, by someone. Explain this one thing to me, so I can believe in my government again.
Tell us the truth, it's all America wants. We can forgive, we can move on, but not if we are treated like children. Tell us the truth to ALL the questions. If a candidate would promise just that one thing they would be guaranteed to be elected. I believe the answers to many problems will be revealed if we are told the truth. I don't care what it is...just show us some RESPECT, please. Until, or unless that happens I will remain undecided. On election day I will be disheartened and sad, scared of the future... because I won't believe in anyone. The borders are gone, I'm afraid of the government that is a little too zealous taking my rights away, and so far NO ONE that may have the power to change that is saying they will. What are you all afraid of? Find out the truth, it's all we ask.
Is it not the case that Mr. Bush has been in office for a number of years and that Mr. Dodd was present? Yet, not one peep has come out of him protesting Mr. Bush's *arrogance*. Nancy Pelosi declared that impeachment was off the table. Did Mr. Dodd say anything about that? What is the record? What is his website? Is his voting record published there? I think Mr. Dodd's contribution of the evening was declaring that Hillary could not be elected. Does that mean that he thinks He could be elected, and if so why? If Mr. Dodd wants to get my vote I want to hear what he stands for, what he will do for me, and for this country. Not what he thinks of the electability of any of his colleagues standing on the podium. Oh, and by the way, did anyone notice the exposed teeth of Biden and the guy from N. Mexico after Kucinich's UFO comment? That was two knocked off the slate, they apparently thought. A few stand-up *representatives* - not of me - had a very satisfying evening, without contributing much. One of those was Mr. Dodd.
Sen. Dodd, you were the one who finally exposed the problems with Hillary and now the race can open up and everyone may actually be treated fairly in this race. Maybe, just maybe the media won't think it's just about Hillary but, about all of you.
Bush: An American tragedy.
I am put in the position to back Senator Dodd for president for one main reason; while all the others are talking about what they WOULD do if they were the Leader of the Free World, Senator Dodd has stepped up to the plate and is DOING IT. Now. In Real Time. He is not acting like a leader, he is being one. I have craved authentic and honest leadership for nearly 7 years, and now that it is happening, I am thrilled to throw my support AND money behind this man who is actually LEADING.
Thank you Senator Dodd. I will do whatever I can to see that you go all the way.
legitgov.o
www.legitg
I agree, the debates should focus on those, and related, questions.
Bush et.al. have turned the Presidency into a Constitutional Dictatorship and I want to know that the next President will shut down Gitmo, end torture (no matter how tortuously defined) and rendition, totally redo the spy legislation to protect our rights first and foremost and, most important of all, create a commission to study how Bush was able to hijack the Constitution and how to prevent it from happening in the future.
It is time we called the "unitary executive" what it is: a democratic
Unfortunately, the press (even, unfortunately, many of the bloggers on this site) only cares about the horse race and creating "electricity" by pushing the candidates to attack each other so they can opine on the quality of the attacks and the defenses rather than on the substantive issues (which would require them to do a little research rather than just gossip).
Senator Dodd,
I agree with your post, and generally find you a defender of the faith called Democracy.
Yet sadly you disappointed terribly when at the Tues debate you followed Russert's lead in Hillary bashing. You offered the GOP a sure TV spot featuring you saying there were serious doubts regarding Hillary's electability.
Surely, you cannot be naive enough to overlook the damage to the Democrats this negative remark has and will continue to have in the general election.
Apparently your own ego goaded this Swiftboat Moment that I would except from a Republican.
The pile on from Democrats was disheartening to watch and failed to illuminate or elicit any new ideas or plain speaking from either you or the rest regarding your own points of view.
Russert is a long known Clinton basher, and was going for every shot as he has done in the past. His abominable excuse for journalism was expected.
But observing Edwards play Scene3 from "Law And Order", followed by the listless Obama speaking on Edward's backdraft to bash Hillary was pathetic to say the least.
You however forgot what Ronald Reagan and other skilfull politicians have understood. Reagan said one of the commandments was not to eat one of your own.
I havelost a great deal of respect for you. I expected this from a trial lawyer. I expected nothing from Obama. But you've been around long enough to have known better.
Dear Senator Dodd,
I am quite impressed with what you said about Michael Mukasey and his beliefs on Executive Power as well as "drawing a line in the sand" and refusing retroactive immunity for the telecom companies.
We should hear EVERY member of Congress expressing these very same sentiments!
Now, if you really "want to put your money where your mouth is" you'll get up enough courage to help initiate impeachment of these bastards in the White House by having a chat with Connecticut's House delegation and speaking with Rep. Jerrold Nadler of N.Y.(head of the subcommittee of Constitutional subcommittee of the Judiciary panel) who hasn't got the brains and decency to pave the road to Kucinich's impeachment of the Vice Pres. in HR 333.
Use the word "impeachment" in your vocabulary. It will serve you well in your political ventures and in the interests of the American public.
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