Chris Dodd on Principles & Values Democratic Sr Senator (CT)

Focus on the Constitution, Iraq, and the Middle East

Father, Thomas Dodd, was Senator too

Served as DNC chair from 1995 to 1997

But the senior senator from Connecticut is in fact a consummate Democratic political insider. An ebullient Irish American politician somewhat in the mold of Ted Kennedy and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, he has become a powerful force in the Senate. Now in his fifth Senate term (following three terms in the House), Dodd has occupied important committee seats and is considered a formidable dealmaker. He chaired the Democratic National Committee during the heart of the Clinton years, from 1995 to 1997.

Voted with Democratic Party 95.8% of 238 votes.

Decisive moments: joining Peace Corps; & loss of father

A: Well, there were two moments. One was the decision to join the Peace Corps, getting excited about John Kennedy inviting a generation of us to be a part of things larger than ourselves. And the second was, a week before my father died, when he was asked, “Would he do it all over again?,” he said he’d do it in a minute, because you can never do as much for the public good as you can through a public life.

Americans aren’t divided; our political establishment is

A: The core platform is to get America back on track again both at home and abroad, with strong leadership that knows how to bring people together. Americans aren’t divided. Our political establishment is. Americans want to see us solve the problems of energy and health care, make us less vulnerable, less isolated in the world. We want to once again feel good about our country and leave a generation coming along with more opportunities than the present.

Biggest professional mistake was the Iraq War

A: Well, it’s been said before, won’t be the first or the last, but I also agree on the war in Iraq was a huge mistake.

We can’t survive as a nation 51-49; end partisanship

It’s also going to take committed leadership, principled leadership, proven leadership. I’ve served in the US Senate for 26 years. I’ve been involved in every major domestic and foreign policy debate of our country. I know how to bring people together.

Source: 2007 AFSCME Democratic primary debate in Carson City Nevada Feb 21, 2007

We’ve squandered years of building world alliances

A: Yes, sir.

Q: You’re willing to take on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and say you’re more qualified than they are?

A: Well, I want to make my case based on experience and judgment and ability. The very debate we’re having here today, I think, indicates we need new leadership in the country. I can’t believe that in five years we’ve squandered years of the administration’s, Republicans and Democrats, building world alliances to support us. When you think of where we were on September 12th, 2001 and where we are today, clearly new leadership is necessary in the country, and I want to be part of that debate.

Voted YES on confirming of Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court.

"In the past month, many Senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law--it is to apply the law. And it is clear, I believe, that my record in two courts reflects my rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms; interpreting statutes according to their terms and Congress's intent; and hewing faithfully to precedents established by the Supreme Court and my Circuit Court. In each case I have heard, I have applied the law to the facts at hand."

Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice.

Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Religious affiliation: Catholic.

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Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation.

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2006 AU scores as follows:

• 0%- 20%: opposition to church-state separation (approx. 232 members)
• 21%- 79%: mixed record on church-state separation (approx. 79 members)
• 80%-100%: support of church-state separation (approx. 153 members)

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom. AU is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.

Americans United is a national organization with members in all 50 states. We are headquartered in Washington, D.C., and led by the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director. AU has more than 75,000 members from all over the country. They include people from all walks of life and from various faith communities, as well as those who profess no particular faith. We are funded by donations from our members and others who support church-state separation. We do not seek, nor would we accept, government funding.

Fund the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program.

• Mandates redesign of quarter-dollar coins issued during the ten-year period beginning 1999, with the reverse side emblematic of five of the 50 States each year during such period, selected in the order of their ratification of the U.S. Constitution or their admission to the Union.
• Mandates that the dollar coin shall be golden in color, have a distinctive edge, with tactile and visual features making it readily discernible.
• Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to place into circulation $1 coins that comply with such mandate upon depletion of the Government's supply of $1 coins bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony.