Posted on 11/10/2006 7:55:14 AM PST by Graybeard58
WETHERSFIELD -- U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., says the next two years will provide Democrats a chance to shine or give themselves a shiner.
Democrats in Connecticut and across the country campaigned on a promise of change this year, and change is what voters wanted.
"I think we have an opportunity to prove that this wasn't just talk, but we can actually get things done," Dodd said Thursday.
However, he acknowledged that Democrats also risk blowing that opportunity and possibly the party's chances in the presidential and congressional elections of 2008.
But he is hopeful and confident that Democrats won't fail in the next two years.
"If we have got a chance of winning elections in 2008, it is going to be because we have proven that we can lead and govern well," he said.
Dodd said Democrats must reduce partisan gridlock and reach out to Republicans and the Bush administration. He said this is what the voters across the country demanded in Tuesday's elections.
Dodd outlined his views on the Democratic agenda in the new Congress in a news conference Thursday at his Wethersfield office. Within the first 100 hours, he said the new Democratic Congress should pass legislation to raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.15.
Dodd also said the Democrats should vote to roll back some of President Bush's tax cuts. He would only retain ones that benefit the middle class.
Dodd said Democrats need to overhaul the Medicare Part D program, such as allowing the federal government to directly negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.
He also advocated action on universal health care, trade policy, transportation, housing, job creation, defense production and manufacturing.
As for his own future, Dodd said he expects to chair the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
He is also exploring a possible run for the Democratic nomination for president. He expects to make a decision in January.
The war in Iraq was the overarching issue of the 2006 elections.
Dodd advocated the United States start withdrawing its troops from Baghdad, Fallujah and other Iraqi cities and having Iraqi forces take over security.
He said he is opposed to increasing U.S. troop levels, as some have advocated.
"I think that is a mistake," he said. "The Shias want you to stay because they want you to consolidate power. The Sunnis want to you to stay so they don't get overrun by the Shias. The Kurds want you to stay so they don't get overrun by the Shias and the Sunni."
Dodd expects Democrats will hold hearings on Iraq now that they are the majority.
But he said he doesn't believe Congress should investigate the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq or the conduct of the war.
"I would be more interested in getting some good accounting of what is going on with the cost," Dodd said. "It is costing us $250 million a day, $4 billion a week, $16 billion a month for this war. There are a lot of questions that have been raised about where is the accountability of all of this."
Here's the key. They are going to use this as a weapon to bludgeon the Republicans to death; then, they can make way for Hillary in 2008.
Regards, Ivan
"I think we have an opportunity to prove that this wasn't just talk, but we can actually get things done,"
Johnny Jihadist certainly hopes so.
Dodd: Kennedy's fat, aging playboy buddy.
Just what things do they want to get done, other than raising the minimum wage, ensuring PBA remains legal, that Jim and Mike can get married as well as Sue and Nancy, that you can't buy a gun, that our troops will leave Iraq in humiliation, and that Presdient Bush and all his admin officials will be subject to endless and pointless interrogations from committees about every issue under the sun?
Oh and that we will kowtow to the UN and China and Russia and France on foreign policy, and that negotiations will be opened with al Quaeda.
Be sure and go for nationalized healthcare again. While you are at try a ban on combustion automobiles and power plants. Those will make the American public VERY happy. Go for it.
I can't wait to see if Lamont goes after Dodd the way he did Lieberman. After all, Dodd voted the same as Lieberman 90% of the time.
Here you go folks...the REAL Democratic agenda (high taxes, more fed gov and universal health care)
- vote to roll back some of President Bush's tax cuts.
- allow the federal government to directly negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.
- action on universal health care
Has anybody heard that our side has decided to fight back? Are they huddled up somewhere working on the plan to win in 08? If the Democrats can win by putting up conservatives, they can get along and fool the electorate for the next couple of years. They need to be exposed by the next leader. Last shot. Let's roll.
Democrats have the best of two worlds. They have the power but still have a Republican president to blame everyghing on.
How I miss Rick Santorum already!!!
Nancee
I read somewhere (can't find it) where they are going to look to the Europeans and incorporate their laws into ours.
"100 hours to implement communism."
maybe a bit more, but it's coming, and the so-called american electorate will embrace it with open arms.
It was $7.25 yesterday...
I would have thought Dodd (a member of the most ethical Congress) would pass Waitress Sandwiches in the first 100 hours in lieu of raising the minimum wage.
2008, here we come.
Oddly enough, "commie" is actually too good a word for Dodd.
History Proves Vietnam Victors Wrong
" "The greatest gift our country can give the Cambodian people is not guns but peace. And the best way to accomplish that goal is by ending military aid now." -- Rep. Chris Dodd (D., Conn.) Congressional Record March 12, 1975"
Of course the Quote is Prior to Pol Pot and the slaughter by his regime. This is just to give a small indication of how wrong Chris Dodd can be.
ALL tax cuts benefit the middle class, your clueless dipstrick.
All tax increases punish the middle class either directly or indirectly.
Bingo.
Hillary will be president in 2008.
Kerry will take the fall.
McLame will get the shaft when he runs.
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