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
Follow Sen. Chris Dodd on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenChrisDodd
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Lieberman owns the Democratic Party. Should impeachment hearings be put in motion, he will switch from Independant to Republican, thereby restoring the Rethugs to the majority in the Senate just long enough to strangle what presently remains of our Constitution.
You are so right. When is the country going to wake up! I never thought I would be afraid of my own country but with Bush as president I sure am.
Senator Dodd. Thanks for your efforts on the Mukasey confirmation.
We need to impeach the filthy war criminals Cheney and Bush.
Also, on the topic of bogus debates, lies and manipulation of the voters, here is a must see link for everyone....originally from "Saviormachine", thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2DGfXA8DlE
Dear Senator Dodd,
As soon as I heard your position on blocking retroactive immunity for wiretapping, I sent you an e-mail and money. When I saw you at the recent debate, again I was convinced that you are standing up for our constitution and opposing the wars-for-profit policy of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney.
Michael B. Murkasey should be opposed. Upholding rule of law and upholding the constitution is everything. Basket warrants are not legal. Warrants are required under the Fourth Amendment. It is the Republicans who have politicized the Department of Justice.
Thank you for standing up for our rights.
Senator Dodd you state "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.".
I am confused here. Are you agaisnt due process and innocent until proven guilty. To date no court has found a telecom guilty of "violating privacy of ordinary americans." Yet you are boldly stating they did. Can you share the facts you have to support your claim?
Dodd, I'll vote for you if you make it to the Election.... consider running Independent if you don't get the Dem Nom.
Keep it up Senator Dodd, you're winning me over. I've given up on the top three, they're equivocating and triangulating me to death. Your positions are clear and to the point and your actions back up the rhetoric. That is what I want to see. It's called Leadership. It would be great if you could get a hypodermic needle and inject some of this into Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. They both need a total transfusion.
It is a sad state of democracy in America when it's citizens watch a debate to learn about a candidates foreign and domestic policies pertaining to FISA, Consitutional protections, Iraq/Iran, Healthcare and Social Security and end up with questions that pertain to UFO's and what another is going to be for Halloween. I guess there is no need for in depth questions when the MSM has already chosen the candidates for President by continually spouting the false poll numbers for Hillary and Rudy.
It was clear, by the showmanship of Russert and Williams, that the MSM thinks the people of America are not worthy of the crucial information that will enlighten them to make one of the most important voting decisions in history. The vote that will protect their constitutional rights and the rights of future generations.
When are "We the People" going to wake up and demand more from the media instead of continually allowing them to insult our intelligience with their dumbing down process of democracy. If we, as consumers, stop watching and buying into this self serving system that continues to degrade and depict us in the world, as stupid/materialistic/selfish Americans, only then we may be able to gain back some sense of the democracy and decency we had back in the days of FDR.
When are we going to stop the MSM from controlling our politics, government and our choices!
Mr. Dodd,
I respect you, I once wrote you about legislation you were sponsoring and you responded personally, and I'm from California.
Let's face it, you don't have a snowball's chance being the next president. And I think you would be an admirable president, I really do.
I hope you are in the cabinet. That would be good for our country.
Mr.'s Edwards and Obama need to look up the word "callow."
That said, did you read the viewer's responses on the MSNBC website ? - The debate was universally slammed as a vile farce.
Why do you subject yourselves to Russert - Mr. "Gotcha", and his ilk? You should jointly demand a better format and tell the "jounalists" to get out of the way and lose the pontificating tone. They are really becoming unbearable.
I was embarrassed for all of you and for our culture.
Senator Clinton is not so bad and not so great as the verbal crap-storm of the media makes her out to be. You were used.
Go on the air decry what the phony dog and pony debates have become - make the media accountable - as they demand from everyone else.
Chris Dodd has consistently articulated the things Democrats say they want to hear, yet he remains behind even Kuchinich (God bless him) in polling numbers. He was hardly mentioned after Tuesday nights debate. What the F*&k?!! Dodd is without the burdens of Clinton and has the experience and qualifications that Obama lacks...so what is up with his being a third tier candidate? Somebody please put me wise to to the thinking behind this. This country is in real, repeat REAL, trouble. We need a pro: Dodd is one.
And his heart, as well as his understanding of a Constitutional Republic, is in the right place. C'mon Dem's wake the hell up.
Senator Dodd,
While I appreciate your spirited campaign and your focus on issues like torture and restoring habeas corpus, it's evident that you are not going to win the presidency.
Rather than continuing what is essentially a doomed mission and squandering your money and considerable reputation on a hopeless race, you would do well to throw your considerable influence and stature behind John Edwards or Senator Obama, either of whom would make a fine president and would fight vigorously for the issues about which you clearly care deeply.
Just for your defense of the Constitution alone,
you should be in first place among the Democratic candidates for President. I fear for the country when the electorate cannot see beyond the media bias. It's all about money and forget principles and values.
Senator Dodd, Thank you again for making a stand on the important issues facing the United States of America.
It was sad the questions you stated weren't asked of you, but what American who has been paying attention to what has been happening to our country doesn't recognize the direction we are heading?
Those with the money and power in America have decided on their President, Hillary, and they have rallied their resources to Socially Engineer that outcome. It is quite obvious that we live in a Closed Democracy now, where decisions for the direction of our country are made in Think Tanks and Boardrooms, and Exclusive Lodges, and the participation of the Electorate in the outcome is a mere formality.
I haven't seen a Debate yet that didn't frame Hillary as the presumptive nominee and the rest of the participants as knats to be swatted.
I wouldn't expect a balanced questioning of the participants if the Ruling Class has already decided their President ... too distracting.
I think you and Biden, Richardson, Kucinich, and Gravel (who wasn't even allowed to participate) are to be little more than window dressing on the stage. In other words the forums are not designed to be an even playing field.
Even Edwards, who along with you is speaking some important truths, has been pretty well marginalized recently.
The ownership of the Media outlets that present these debates have already decided their choice ... In retrospect, having Obama appear early as the main challenger to Clinton was a perfect strategy for the Clinton camp. It froze out focus on other legitimate candidates, such as yourself, and put up a candidate who the Democratic Party faithful would ultimately reject, not for his quality, but how is color would be received in the General Election ... quite a cynical chess move.
Senator Dodd, you bring a lot to the table. Please do the Patriotic thing and stick with this campaign until the Convention ... Thank you for all you do.
Cheers to Senator Dodd!
Thank you Senator Dodd for posting this information. As a person who began trying to understand the political process rather 'late' in life, I have found by watching all debates, news & opinion programs, and reading as much as possible on the political parties one factor confuses me most.
Why is it that the Democratic Party seems so intent on 'eating their own?' I know they need to highlight themselves in order to separate them from their fellow candidates. However, I find it so disconcerting when the candidates attack each other more than the other party's candidates. Not only do these 'debates' serve as a forum for the candidates to diminish each others qualifications and creditentials and weakening the Party's appearance but seems to leave the door open for free 'talking points' and ammunition for the 'other side'. Rather than focus on a strong Dem. view on each individual's issues, policy, opinions & qualifications, it is being used to discredit fellow candidates, one of which will be the Democratic Candidate and where does that leave the party and the voters? Naive that I am about this subject, it is apparent that it is not the same tactics used by Rep. I feel much of it has to do with the questions asked by the moderators that encourage these personal attacks, however, it seems many of the candidates feel need to carry it as far as it can go. This is not personally a comment at you, I just felt the urge to make this comment remembering that I turned off the debate about halfway through that you referred to in your post.
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