Posted on 09/30/2009 1:51:51 PM PDT by Graybeard58
It would be next to impossible to fact-check everything Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd says. Lord knows the endeavor would be worthwhile; after all, politicians such as Sen. Dodd inspired the joke: "How do you know politicians are lying? Their lips are moving."
Sen. Dodd's reason for staying on as chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee, rather than taking over the late Ted Kennedy's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, is one of his more recent statements that fails the smell test. "We have important work to do on the Banking Committee, and I intend to see it through as chairman. The Banking Committee is of vital importance to Connecticut, responsible for issues central to the economic security and prosperity of the people of my state."
Hogwash. Chris Dodd is motivated only by what benefits Chris Dodd: the AIG bonuses; his cut-rate mortgages; the presidential pardon for an insider trader for a sweetheart deal on an Irish cottage, etc. Already wildly unpopular at home a little more than 13 months before he must stand for re-election — his disapproval rating in deep-blue Connecticut is a stunning 49 percent — he would commit political suicide if he became the face of government-centered health-care "reform." Fifty-six percent of Americans are telling pollsters they don't want it, including 44 percent who strongly oppose it and 2 out of every 3 senior citizens. No wonder he's been keeping a low profile on reform since the summer.
As Banking chairman, however, he stands to attract ungodly sums of out-of-state campaign cash from special interests seeking to shape or prevent the socialistic overhaul of the nation's financial system. Those reforms are going nowhere fast, ostensibly because the horrors of last year's Wall Street meltdown, precipitated by the Chris Dodd Bear Market brought on by reckless housing and lending policies tirelessly pushed by Sen. Dodd, are fading into the rearview mirror and because of philosophical disagreements involving Sen. Dodd, President Obama, the Fed, the Treasury and Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
Sen. Dodd proposes merging four regulatory agencies into a super government agency with unprecedented authority over the banks and financial markets. With his draconian bill, he seeks to burnish his severely tarnished populist credentials to give voters back home the impression that he's broken with the lending, financial and insurance industries and their lobbyists, which he has not. His bill is nothing more than a fundraising ploy wrapped in a tissue of lies. Legislating is all about horse-trading, and if those industries want to avoid what they describe as a "cyclopic regulatory system," they know they must pony up big time for Sen. Dodd's re-election campaign. And he knows the longer he can drag out the deliberations, the more money will flow his way. Only after his coffers have been stuffed with special-interest donations will he "compromise" on a watered-down measure that "meets most of the goals we established at the outset" but doesn't begin to approach what he had promised.
But not keeping promises and not telling the truth are the hallmarks of Sen. Dodd's long — too long — and undistinguished career.
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this list, let me know.
The only bright spot is that the Connecticut Democrats will likely give Dodd the nomination for senator without much trouble and it's conceivable (although doubtful) that he'll lose if the Connecticut GOP actually puts up a viable candidate to run against Dodd instead of the colorless sacrificial lambs they usually nominate.
The Waterbury Republican-American is an excellent newspaper. A breath of fresh (conservative) air in a state that is stale with newspapers spouting the usual liberal pathologies.
I was working a crossword puzzle yesterday and one of the clues was “Connecticut statesman”. I almost puked when I penciled in the expected answer, “DODD”.
Take heart in knowing that no dam will ever be named after him or his crooked daddy. Can you imagine a “Dodd Dam”?
That’s not original from me, I got it from another member but I thought it was funny.
Thanks for the ping Graybeard.
“But not keeping promises and not telling the truth are the hallmarks of Sen. Dodd’s long — too long — and undistinguished career.”
‘bout sums it up.
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