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'''Chris Dodd''' is a liberal United States Senator from [[Connecticut]], and former Democratic presidential primary contender. Dodd is currently serving as the powerful chair of the Senate Banking Committee; he faces a difficult reelection in 2010 because of charges of corruption.

'''Chris Dodd''' is a liberal United States Senator from [[Connecticut]], and former Democratic presidential primary contender. Dodd is currently serving as the powerful chair of the Senate Banking Committee; he faces a difficult reelection in 2010 because of charges of corruption and his failure to head off or solve the nation's banking crisis. The early September 2009 Rasmussen Reports poll finds that Republican challenger [[Rob Simmons]], a moderate former Congressman, has a wide lead 49% to 39%.  

 

== Political Career ==

== Political Career ==

Chris Dodd was born on May 27, 1944, in Willimantic, [[Connecticut]]. He was the fifth child of the former United States Senator of Connecticut, the late Thomas J. Dodd. After Dodd graduated from [[Providence Challenge]], with a B.A. in [[English]] Literature , he went to join the [[United States Peace Corps]] in 1966. While working with the United States Peace Corps, he traveled to the [[Dominicans Republic]] were he worked carrying out humanitarian efforts for the rural community. After returning from his work in the Dominican Republic, Dodd joined the Amy National Guard and served as a reserve. Dodd earned a law degree from the University of Louisville in 1972. He was first elected to the [[United States Congress]] in 1974.  He served three terms as congressmen, and in 1980, was elected to the United States Senate.  In 1995, Dodd served as General Chairman of the [[Democrat National Committee]], a position he held in till 1997.  Along with his current race as a contender for the Democrat presidential primary nomination,  Dodd serves  his fifth term in the Senate today.  

Chris Dodd was born on May 27, 1944, in Willimantic, [[Connecticut]]. He was the fifth child of Senator Thomas J. Dodd. After Dodd graduated from [[Providence Challenge]], with a B.A. in English Literature , he served in the [[United States Peace Corps]] in 1966. While working with the United States Peace Corps, he traveled to the [[Dominicans Republic]] were he worked carrying out humanitarian efforts for the rural community. Dodd later served in the Army National Guard. Dodd earned a law degree from the University of Louisville in 1972. He was first elected to the [[United States Congress]] in 1974.  He served three terms as congressmen, and in 1980, was elected to the United States Senate.  In 1995, Dodd served as General Chairman of the [[Democrat National Committee]], a position he held in till 1997.  Along with his current race as a contender for the Democrat presidential primary nomination,  Dodd serves  his fifth term in the Senate today.  

== Ethics Issues ==

== Ethics Issues ==

In 2008, new allegations that Democrats Senator Christopher Dodd, Senator [[Barack Obama]], Senator Kent Conrad cut special discounts deals on their home loans from Countrywide subprime mortgage company. The company is being investigated by the federal governement. Dodd refuses that he asked for or received any preferential mortgage deals. Doubts linger because Dodd admitted the company placed him into a VIP program in 2003, a clear [[ethics]] violation. To make matters even worse for the American people, Dodd is in charge of the [[Senate]] Banking Committee. At a time when there is a crisis in the housing market, a compromised and ethically tainted Christopher Dodd is leading the efforts in Congress to bailout foreclosed homeowners and industry lenders. <ref>http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/08/ap5190637.html , AP Dodd's popularity slips in Connecticut

In 2008, allegations appeared that Dodd cut special discounts deals on his home mortgage from Countrywide subprime mortgage company. Dodd was cleared in 2009; he did not get a lower rate.<ref>http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/08/ap5190637.html , AP Dodd's popularity slips in Connecticut

, July 8, 2008</ref> Two months have passed and failed financial firms continue to mount. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac have been taken over by the government. Dodd has received more than $150,000. in donations from them. An $85 billion dollar take over of AIG and now a $700 billion government loan is needed to prevent financial market collapse. On September 23rd, Sen. Chris Dodd says "What they [Bush administration] have sent us is not acceptable." <ref>][http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,426505,00.html Leading Banking Panel Senators Reject Bailout Plan] Fox News, September 23, 2008</ref>  

, July 8, 2008</ref>  

In 2006, DNC chairman [[Howard Dean]] stated that the former lobbiest Abramoff is a Republican scandal and no Democrats took money. Not long after, a list of Democrats that received money from [[Jack Abramoff]] surfaced. Christopher Dodd made the list by receiving more than $14,720 in donations. <ref>http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1551786/posts , FreeRepublic.com List of Democrats who have taken Abramoff money, January 4, 2006</ref> A number of Democrats, such as [[Harry Reid]], refused to give their donations back. No mention that Dodd ever returned his donations.  The money came from Abramoff's employees at his law firm and his Native American tribes who were also clients of Jack Abramoff.  "All of Mr. Abramoff's personal contributions went to Republicans." <ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-1_24_06_JKE.html</ref> Dodd is complicit in receiving thousands of dollars in lobby donations from Abramoff.

Dodd legally received over $14,700 from lobbyist [[Jack Abramoff]], who in now in prison for his bribery.  

==Senate Banking Committee==

==Senate Banking Committee==

Dodd has been in charge of financial-services rules for the $787 billion stimulus bill and TARP that bails-out the financial sector. On March 16, Mr. Dodd criticized bonuses given to executives of American International Group ''"This is another outrageous example of executives -- including those whose decisions were responsible for the problems that caused AIG's collapse -- enriching themselves at the expense of taxpayers."'' One rule he included was an exemption for contractual obligations prior to Feb 11, 2009, which allowed for AIG bonuses. The exact rule below;

Dodd has been in charge of financial-services rules for the $787 billion stimulus bill and TARP that bails-out the financial sector. On March 16, Mr. Dodd criticized bonuses given to executives of [[AIG]], the insurance giant, saying, "This is another outrageous example of executives -- including those whose decisions were responsible for the problems that caused AIG's collapse -- enriching themselves at the expense of taxpayers." One rule he included was an exemption for contractual obligations prior to Feb 11, 2009, which allowed for AIG bonuses. The exact rule below;

{{cquote| Crack down on bonuses, retention awards and incentive compensation: Bonuses can only be paid in the form of long-term restricted stock, equal to no greater than 1/3 of total annual compensation, and will vest only when taxpayer funds are repaid. There is an exception for contractually obligated bonuses agreed on before Feb. 11, 2009. }} Dodd will not take responsibility for the mess he helped create saying the original amendment did not include that exemption, ''"“I can't point a finger at someone who was responsible for putting those dates in,” and “I can tell you this much, when my language left the senate, it did not include it. When it came back, it did.”  <ref>[http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/finance/dodd-cracks-aig---time/ Amid AIG Furor, Dodd Tries to Undo Bonus Protections] Fox News, March 17, 2009</ref>

{{cquote| Crack down on bonuses, retention awards and incentive compensation: Bonuses can only be paid in the form of long-term restricted stock, equal to no greater than 1/3 of total annual compensation, and will vest only when taxpayer funds are repaid. There is an exception for contractually obligated bonuses agreed on before Feb. 11, 2009. }} Dodd will not take responsibility for the confusion saying his original amendment did not include that exemption.[http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/finance/dodd-cracks-aig---time/ Amid AIG Furor, Dodd Tries to Undo Bonus Protections] Fox News, March 17, 2009</ref>

Sen. Dodd was AIG’s largest single recipient of campaign donations during the 2008 election cycle with $103,100.

 

Dodd was AIG’s largest single recipient of campaign donations during the 2008 election cycle with $103,100.

==Political Positions==

==Political Positions==

===Abortion===

===Abortion===

Throughout Dodd’s career in the senate he has constantly voted against pro-life legislation, while supporting easier restrictions on abortion.  In 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2003, Dodd voted against bills which would reduce partial-birth abortion<ref>http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0131103</ref>.  

Throughout Dodd’s career in the senate he has constantly voted against pro-life legislation, while supporting easier restrictions on abortion.  In 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2003, Dodd voted against bills which would reduce partial-birth abortion<ref>http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0131103</ref>.  

===Iraq===

===Iraq===

 

In 2002, Dodd voted to use force against Iraq. Dodd support the Feingold-Reid proposal- which sets a time table for ending the war in [[Iraq]] by March 2008. He does not support sending more troops to Iraq but does support more troops for the war in Afghanistan.

In 2002, Dodd voted to use force against Iraq. Dodd support the Feingold-Reid proposal- which sets a time table for ending the war in [[Iraq]] by March 2008. He does not support sending more troops to Iraq.  

===Health Care===

===Health Care===

Dodd supported President Bush’s, [[No Child Left Behind Act]] in 2001, and now supports its exspantion<ref>http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53277&type=category&category=27&go.x=11&go.y=17</ref>. Dodd’s plan for education system is to increase salaries for teachers to create more incentives. He also is calling for increase [[federal funding]] for creating lower interest rates for student loans<ref>http://www.chrisdodd.com/issues/education</ref>.   

Dodd supported President Bush’s, [[No Child Left Behind Act]] in 2001, and now supports its exspantion<ref>http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53277&type=category&category=27&go.x=11&go.y=17</ref>. Dodd’s plan for education system is to increase salaries for teachers to create more incentives. He also is calling for increase [[federal funding]] for creating lower interest rates for student loans<ref>http://www.chrisdodd.com/issues/education</ref>.   

===Economy===

===Unions===

Dodd is a supporter of the freedom to create unions. He advocates the [[Employee Free Choice Act]]. Dodd supports greater compensation for personal workplace injuries.

Dodd advocates the pro-union [[Employee Free Choice Act]].  

==Primary Race==  

==Presidential contender==  

Chris Dodd was relatively unknown for a [[New England]] senator. Only 22 percent of likely Democratic primary voters had a favorable opinion of Dodd, 20 percent were unfavorable, 19 percent were neutral, and 39 percent didn't know enough about him to say. Dodd's net favorability rating is +2 percent. Nationally Dodd remained third to last in the polls, with only one percent of Democrats<ref> http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08dem.htm</ref>. The total amount of funds that Dodd had for his campaign is $7,482,467. Chris Dodd withdrew from the race because of his disappointing finish in the [[Iowa Caucus]]. Though Dodd did not officially endorse any candidate, he made overtones suggesting support for Barack Obama.  <ref> http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/04/chris-dodd-abandons-presidential-campaign-after-poor-showing-in-iowa/ </ref>  Later he endorsed Senator Obama.

Going into the race for the 2008 Democratic nomination for president, Dodd was an unknown senator. Only 22% of likely Democratic primary voters had a favorable opinion of Dodd, 20% were unfavorable. Dodd trailed third to last in the polls, with a mere 1% of Democrats for whom he was the first choice He had $7.5 million but withdrew from the race because of his poor finish in the [[Iowa Caucus]]. Though Dodd did not officially endorse any candidate.

==External Links==

==External Links==