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*[http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Chris_Dodd.htm Issue positions and quotes] at On The Issues
*[http://paul-o-meter.com/7771342 Christopher J Dodd] rated at [http://paul-o-meter.com/ Paul-O-Meter.com]

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Revision as of 19:37, 4 September 2008

Christopher Dodd
United States Senator
from Connecticut
Assumed office
January 5, 1981
Serving with Joe Lieberman
Preceded byAbraham A. Ribicoff
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981
Preceded byRobert H. Steele
Succeeded bySam Gejdenson
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJackie Marie Clegg
ResidenceEast Haddam, Connecticut
Alma materProvidence College, University of Louisville
Occupationattorney
WebsiteChris Dodd

Christopher John Dodd (born May 27, 1944) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician, who is currently serving as the senior U.S. Senator from Connecticut.

Dodd served as a U.S. Representative from Connecticut from 1975 until 1981, when he became a Senator. He served as general chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1995 to 1997. He is now the state's senior Senator. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.[1]

Currently Dodd is the longest-serving Senator in Connecticut's history, the 14th most senior of current Senators and one of three from the 1980 freshman class who are still serving (the others are Republicans Arlen Specter and Chuck Grassley).[2]

Early life and education

Dodd was born in Willimantic, Connecticut. His parents were Grace Mary Dodd (née Murphy) and U.S. Senator Thomas Joseph Dodd; all eight of his great-grandparents were born in Ireland.[3] Dodd is a Roman Catholic. He is the fifth of six children;[4] his eldest brother, Thomas J. Dodd Jr., is a professor emeritus of the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University, and served as the U.S. ambassador to Uruguay and Costa Rica under President Bill Clinton.

Dodd attended Georgetown Preparatory School, a Jesuit boys' school in Bethesda, Maryland. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Providence College in 1966. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in a small rural town in the Dominican Republic from 1966 to 1968, the peak of the Vietnam War. While there, he became fluent in Spanish.[5] Dodd then joined the U.S. Army Reserve, serving until 1975.

In 1972, Dodd earned a Juris Doctor at the University of Louisville, where he served as vice magistrate of the law school's student body. The following year, he was admitted to the Connecticut bar, and began practicing law in New London.

Personal life

In July 1970, Dodd married Susan Mooney; they divorced in October 1982. Afterwards, he dated at different times Bianca Jagger and Carrie Fisher, among others.[6] In 1999, he married his second wife, Jackie Marie Clegg, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple has two daughters, Grace (born September 2001) and Christina Dodd (born May 2005). Dodd is also the godfather of singer/actress Christy Carlson Romano, who once interned in his office.

Dodd lives in East Haddam, Connecticut when Congress is not in session. He also owns a vacation home in Connemara, Ireland.

U.S. Congressman

Dodd was part of the "Watergate class of '74" which CNN pundit David Gergen credited with bringing "a fresh burst of liberal energy to the Capitol."[7] Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's second congressional district, and reelected twice, he served from January 4, 1975 to January 3, 1981. During his tenure in the House, he served on the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations.

U.S. Senator

Senator Dodd giving a speech at Naval Submarine Base New London, July 1985.

Dodd was elected to the Senate in the 1980 election and was subsequently reelected in the 1986, 1992, 1998, and 2004 elections. He is the first Senator from Connecticut to serve five consecutive terms. From 1995 to 1997, he served as General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. As General Chairman, Dodd was the DNC's spokesman. Donald Fowler served as National Chairman, running the party's day to day operations.

During his tenure, Dodd has taken special interest in children’s and family issues, founding the first Senate Children’s Caucus[8] and authoring the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)[9], which guarantees employees unpaid leave in the event of illness a sick family member, or the birth or adoption of a child. To date, more than 50 million employees have taken advantage of FMLA protections. He is currently working to support a bill that would provide paid family and medical leave.[10] For his work on behalf of children and families, the National Head Start association named him “Senator of the Decade” in 1990[11].

The Center for Public Integrity has criticized Dodd for "being the leading advocate in the Senate on behalf of the accounting industry."[12][13] Political consultant and commentator Dick Morris wrote that Dodd had received more from accounting firm Arthur Andersen than any other Democrat and bore responsibility for trying to shield accounting firms from investor fraud liability in cases such as the Enron scandal.[14]

During the 1994 elections, the Republicans won the majority in both houses of Congress. Dodd therefore entered the minority for the second time in his Senate career. He ran for the now vacant position of Senate Minority Leader, but was defeated by South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle by one vote. Ironically, the vote was tied 23-23, and it was Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell who cast the deciding vote by absentee ballot in favor of Daschle. Shortly after that, Campbell switched parties and became a Republican.

Dodd briefly considered running for President in 2004, but ultimately decided against such a campaign and endorsed fellow U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman. He then was considered as a likely running mate for his friend, eventual Democratic nominee John Kerry. He was also considered a possible candidate for replacing Tom Daschle as Senate Minority Leader in 109th Congress, but he declined, and that position was instead filled by Harry Reid.

Dodd announced in a letter to the Federal Election Commission that he was no longer a candidate for the Senate in 2010.[15]

2008 Presidential campaign

Main article: Chris Dodd presidential campaign, 2008
Dodd speaking on the campaign trail, January 2007.

On January 11, 2007, Dodd announced his candidacy for the office of President of the United States on the Imus in the Morning show. On January 19, 2007, Dodd made a formal announcement with supporters at the Old State House in Hartford.

The watchdog group opensecrets.org pointed out that the Dodd campaign was heavily funded by the financial services industry, which is regulated by committees Dodd chairs in the Senate.[16][17]

In May, he trailed in state and national polls and acknowledged he wasn't keeping pace with rival campaigns' fund raising. However, he said that as more voters became aware of his opposition to the Iraq War, they would support his campaign.[18] However, his prospects did not improve; a November 7, 2007 Gallup poll placed him at 1%.[19] Dodd dropped out of the primary race on the night of the January 3, 2008, Iowa caucuses after placing seventh with almost all precincts reporting.[2]

Dodd had said he is not interested in running for Vice President of the United States of America or Senate Majority Leader.[20] Dodd endorsed former rival Barack Obama on February 26, 2008.[21]

Countrywide Financial loan situation

As Dodd in his role as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee proposed a housing bailout to the Senate floor in June 2008 that would assist troubled subprime mortgage lenders such as Countrywide Bank in the wake of the United States housing bubble's collapse,[22] Conde Nast Portfolio reported that in 2003 Dodd had refinanced the mortgages on his homes in Washington D.C. and Connecticut through Countrywide Financial and had received favorable terms due to being placed in a "Friend of Angelo" program. Dodd received a mortgage from Countrywide at allegedly below-market rates on his Washington, D.C. and Connecticut homes.[22] Dodd has not disclosed the below-market mortgages in any of six financial disclosure statements he filed with the Senate or Office of Government Ethics since obtaining the mortgages in 2003.[23]

Dodd's press secretary said the "Dodds received a competitive rate on their loans," and that they "did not seek or anticipate any special treatment, and they were not aware of any," then declined further comment.[24] Republican State Chairman Chris Healy stated that "Dodd has crossed the ethics line by obtaining two generous mortgage deals with a company that is the corporate poster-child for the national subprime lending meltdown."[25] The Hartford Courant reported Dodd had taken "a major credibility hit" from the scandal.[26] The Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Kent Conrad and the head of Fannie Mae Jim Johnson received mortgages on favorable terms due to their association with Countrywide CEO Angelo R. Mozilo.[27] The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and two Connecticut papers have demanded further disclosure from Dodd regarding the Mozilo loans.[28][29][30][31]

On June 17, 2008, Dodd met twice with reporters and gave accounts of his mortgages with Countrywide. He admitted to reporters in Washington,DC that he knew as of 2003 that he was in a VIP program, but claimed it was due to being a good customer, not due to his political position. He omitted this detail in a press availability to Connecticut media.[32]

Countrywide has also contributed a total of $21,000 to Dodd’s campaigns since 1997. Dodd has received approximately $70,000 in campaign contributions from Bank of America, who is buying Countrywide, in the last year-and-a-half before the Countrywide Financial loan scandal broke.[33] Only Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have received more Bank of America money than Dodd.[33] On June 20, 2008 the Heritage Foundation alleged staffers from Bank of America had drafted Dodd's bill in March 2008, before it was introduced in the Senate.[34] The Los Angeles Times also reported on this story on June 21.[35]

On June 19, Dodd told the Danbury News-Times "I don't believe I did anything wrong."[36] The state's leading newspaper, the Hartford Courant however concluded Dodd was negligent in accepting the Countrywide mortgage and suggested it was time "Dodd got off his high horse, came clean and admit he screwed up."[37] A New York Times editorial the same day accused Dodd and fellow Senator Kent Conrad of being painfully out of touch regarding the "Friends of Angelo" loans.[38] Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has called for House and Senate to investigate Senators Dodd and Conrad.[39]

Political positions

Main article: Political positions of Chris Dodd

Dodd favors a one-year troop withdrawal timetable to end the Iraq War[40] and is against warrantless surveillance.[41] Dodd has supported amending the Family Medical Leave Act to include paid leave,[42] restoring the rule of law to the U.S. immigration system,[43] and a corporate carbon tax to combat global warming.[44]

While Dodd has blamed President Bush for the subprime mortgage crisis, efforts to address this issue in 2007 were delayed. While House Banking Committee chairman Barney Frank worked towards legislation, Dodd spent the fall on the presidential campaign trail[45] Following the failure of his presidential bid Dodd proposed that the federal government buy up to $400 Billion in defaulted mortgages. He denied that this was a taxpayer funded bailout of the mortgage business.[46]

Committee Assignments

Electoral history

Main article: Electoral history of Christopher Dodd

References

  1. ^ Moore, Heidi (2007-11-09). "Wall Street experts invade Washington". Financial News Online US.
  2. ^ a b Rhee, Foon (2008-01-03). "Dodd withdraws from Democratic field". Boston Globe.
  3. ^ Battle, Robert. "The Ancestors of Chris Dodd".
  4. ^ Biography of Thomas J. Dodd
  5. ^ "Florida Capital News: Dominican Republic RPCV Senator Chris Dodd campaigns in Florida to help Democrats with Hispanic vote". Peace Corps Online. 2002-10-25. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  6. ^ Horowitz, Jason (2006-12-03). "Can '08 Race Make Dodd Bedfellows?". observer.com. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  7. ^ Gergen, David. Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership from Nixon to Clinton. Simon and Schuster. p. 119. ISBN 074321949X.
  8. ^ {{cite web url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFDA1539F930A15753C1A964958260 title=Two for the Senate; Christopher Dodd for Connecticut work=New York Times date=1992-10-23 accessdate=2008-02-15}}
  9. ^ {{cite web url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_sperling&sid=aQZtOcobvKK4 work=Bloomberg News title=Biden, Dodd Showed Depth of Democrats first=Gene last=Sperling date=2008-01-10 accessdate=2008-02-15}}
  10. ^ {{cite web url=http://fox61.trb.com/news/local/hc-ctfmla0214.artfeb14,0,4911645.story work=Fox 61, Connecticut date=2008-02-14 accessdate=2008-02-14}}
  11. ^ {{cite web url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_sperling&sid=aQZtOcobvKK4 work=Bloomberg News title=Biden, Dodd Showed Depth of Democrats first=Gene last=Sperling date=2008-01-10 accessdate=2008-02-15}}
  12. ^ Morris, Dick (2004). Off with Their Heads: Traitors, Crooks, and Obstructionists in American Politics, Media, and Business. HarperCollins. p. 205. ISBN 0060595507.
  13. ^ Moon, Freda (2007-11-15). "Chris Dodd: PAC-Man". New Haven Advocate. The New Haven Advocate. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  14. ^ "The odd couple: Chris Dodd and Arthur Andersen". jewishworldreview.com. Retrieved February 25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Sen. Dodd Not To Run for Re-Election In 2010, Uses PAC to Buy NH and IA Voter Files". cqpolitics.com. Retrieved February 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Ritsch, Massie (2007-04-18). "Financiers, Along with Lawyers, are Underwriting the Race for the White House, Watchdog Finds". Opensecrets.org. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  17. ^ "Christopher J. Dodd". 2008 Presidential Election Campeign Money. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  18. ^ "Sen. Dodd Calls For End To Iraq War". Associated Press. 2007-05-26.
  19. ^ Newport, Frank (2007-11-07). "Hillary Clinton's Big Lead in Democratic Race Unchanged". Gallup. Retrieved 2007-11-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ "Failed White House bid could boost Dodd among Democrats". Boston.com. 2008-01-06. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Helman, Scott (2008-02-26). "Dodd: Obama has tapped 'hearts and souls'". The Boston Globe.
  22. ^ a b "Angelo's Angel". Wall Street Journal. 2008-06-19.
  23. ^ Journal Inquirer > Archives > Connecticut > Dodd defends his Countrywide mortgages
  24. ^ Damian Paletta, "Dodd Tied to Countrywide Loans", Wall Street Journal, June 13, 2008
  25. ^ The Everyday Republican | Dodd’s “Sweetheart” Mortgage Needs Answer
  26. ^ Elections - Courant.com
  27. ^ "Countrywide Friends Got Good Loans". Wall Street Journal. 2008-06-07.
  28. ^ A Friend in Need - washingtonpost.com
  29. ^ Beltwaywide Financial - WSJ.com
  30. ^ http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/06/17/opinion/348737.txt
  31. ^ Selected Item
  32. ^ Dodd Tells Different Stories at News Conferences - Jesse A. Hamilton | On Background
  33. ^ a b "Bank of America PAC money behind Dodd's Countrywide loan". examiner. 2008-06-19.
  34. ^ Bank of America Drafted Dodd’s Housing Bailout Bill » The Foundry
  35. ^ Did Bank of America write the Dodd bailout bill? | L.A. Land | Los Angeles Times
  36. ^ Dodd: 'I don't believe I did anything wrong' - NewsTimes.com
  37. ^ Christopher Dodd - Courant.com
  38. ^ Editorial - With Friends Like Angelo . . . - Editorial - NYTimes.com
  39. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080613/ap_on_go_co/senators_vip_mortgages_4
  40. ^ "Help Iraqi government, but exit Iraq by April 1 2008". Chris Dodd on War & Peace. On the Issues. 2007-05-20. Retrieved 2007-12-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Murray, Shailagh (2007-10-18). "Dodd Makes Play on FISA Legislation". washingtonpost.com.
  42. ^ "Economic Opportunity". Christopher Dodd Presidential Campaign 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  43. ^ "Senator Dodd Delivers Democratic Hispanic Radio Address". Chris Dodd US Senator. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  44. ^ Chris Dodd Campaign (2007-05-11). "Chris Dodd: Dodd Touts Energy Plan At Biodiesel Plant, Kitchen Tables In Southeast Iowa". Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  45. ^ Dodd on Trail, Committee on Hold - washingtonpost.com
  46. ^ Real Time Economics : Dodd Defends Housing Plan, Blasts Bush
Wikisource has original works by or about:
Chris Dodd
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christopher Dodd.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's 2nd congressional district
1975 – 1981 		Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 3) from Connecticut
1981–present
Served alongside: Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., Joe Lieberman 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee
2001 – 2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee
2007 – present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
1995 – 1997 		Succeeded by


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