Christopher Dodd Last Update: 10/17/07 Biography

Democratic Party Christopher Dodd 2008 Candidate for President of the United States of America Campaign Website | Candidate Forum

			Issues

(Select An Issue to Jump Directly) Abortion Affirmative Action Darfur Death Penalty Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Energy Plan Free Trade Global Warming Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp Gun Control Health Care Immigration Iran Iraq Plan Kyoto Protocol Line Item Veto Medical Marijuana Military Contractors Military Funding Minimum Wage Increase Net Neutrality No Child Left Behind Act Nuclear Power Outsourcing Same-Sex Marriage School Vouchers Social Security Stem Cell Research The Military Commissions Act of 2006 The Patriot Act Top Contributors & Amounts Unemployment Welfare

	Christopher Dodd on Abortion
	Stance: Pro-Choice Description: Dodd stated, "Abortion isn't something that I take very great joy in occurring. I think it ought to be rare, safe and legal. That's been my position on it for years. We ought to be working together on how we reduce the incidents of abortion. Why not do more to help out, in terms of expanding the opportunities for adoption? Giving people other choices. We've been screaming at each other about abortion now for 34 years. It's about time, the law being what it is, that we try to reduce the number of incidents of it, provide the kind of support for families and women so they're not confronted with only that choice." Citations: 1. Democratic Candidates' Debate for April 26, 7 p.m. ET (7/24/07) Dodd fields a question about abortion during a debate. 2. CNN Newsroom (7/24/07) "Abortion isn't something that I take very great joy in occurring. I think it ought to be rare, safe and legal. That's been my position on it for years. We ought to be working together on how we reduce the incidents of abortion. Why not do more to help out, in terms of expanding the opportunities for adoption? Giving people other choices. We've been screaming at each other about abortion now for 34 years. It's about time, the law being what it is, that we try to reduce the number of incidents of it, provide the kind of support for families and women so they're not confronted with only that choice." - Dodd

	Christopher Dodd on Affirmative Action
	Stance: Supports Description: Voted no on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. Citations:

	Christopher Dodd on Darfur
	Stance: Take unilateral action against Sudan Description: Senator Christoper Dodd supports taking unilateral action against Sudan. This action does not explicitly involve the military but he has discussed removing the U.S. from Iraq to increase the ability to become involved in situations such as this. Citations: 1. Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07) "Well, we've unfortunately, as a result of our conflict in Iraq, the sustaining of a military presence there, have lost our moral authority, unfortunately. And as a result of that, our ability to mobilize the world on issues like Darfur has been severely damaged. But the United States should be able to take some unilateral action here in providing the kind of protection where people are being slaughtered in that country; and in the meantime, get our military out of Iraq, as I've planned and offered to do, and thus regain that stature, which we need to be doing as a nation in this world and be able to build those coalitions -- respond to an issue like Darfur. But in the meantime, the United States ought to act."

	Christopher Dodd on Death Penalty
	Stance: Capital punishment is used too widely, but there are certain circumstances where the death penalty is appropriate. Description: Dodd has said that capital punishment is used too widely, but there are certain circumstances where he "would not exclude the use of the death penalty." He says that he would not call for a moratorium on capital punishment. He has called for judicial reform and a closer look at the country's criminal justice system so that "we can do a better job of making decisions" about the death penalty. Citations: 1. The Candidates on the Death Penalty (7/23/07) Lots of candidates on the death penalty

	Christopher Dodd on Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
	Stance: Opposes Description: In the Senate, Dodd voted 'yes' on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Citations: 1. Vote to strike section 201(a)(4) relative to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (9/30/07) Dodd voted against drilling in ANWR.

	Christopher Dodd on Energy Plan
	Stance: Achieve energy independence by utilizing new technologies Description: Dodd wants to invest in biofuels, ethanol, and other green energies to help bring them to market. He also wants to make all government buildings and vehicles energy efficient. Additionally, he wants to give incentives to scientists and entrepreneurs to coming up with new renewable sources of energy. He also would increase the minimum mileage of cars to 50 mpg. Citations: 1. Energy Independence (8/7/07) Dodd talks about how the time for energy independence is now. 2. Dodd on the Record (11/4/07) An interview with Chris Dodd about his presidential platform on energy and the environment. 3. New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate Transcript (11/4/07) "Today we have the polar caps melting, we have greenhouse gases that are accumulating at record levels way beyond expectations. We really have the dual responsibility here of reducing the polluting effects of depending upon fossil fuels and also allowing us to develop the alternative technologies that would allow us to move beyond this issue." - Dodd

	Christopher Dodd on Free Trade
	Stance: Supports Description: Dodd voted against free trade agreement's with Chile, Singapore and Oman, and against the Trade Act of 2002. He voted in favor of the Africa Free Trade bill of 2002 and NAFTA. Citations: 1. Democratic Candidates on Trade (7/26/07) How Dodd has voted in regards to free trade.

	Christopher Dodd on Global Warming
	Stance: Believes in global warming and wants to reduce 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 Description: Dodd's plan to curb global warming is... 1 . Reduce 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 2. Enact a Corporate Carbon Tax. 3. Increase efficiency standards for consumer products. 4. Raise fuel economy standards in automobiles to 50 mpg by 2017. 5. Impose tough standards for construction of new coal plants. 6. Increase renewable electricity standard to 20% by 2020. 7. Invest in Biofuels and other clean energy technologies. 8. Make the Production Tax Credit permanent for clean and renewable sources of energy. 9. Make high-efficiency automobiles affordable. 10. Require that all new government vehicles use hybrid, plug-in, or other fuel efficient and alternative technology. 11. Require that all new and existing federal buildings be equipped with the latest energy efficiency technologies. 12. Increase access to affordable mass transit systems. 13. Export renewable energy technologies to, allies and developing nations. Citations: 1. Chris Dodd On Global Warming Part 3 (8/7/07) Dodd talks about alternate energy 2. Chris Dodd On Global Warming Part 1 (8/7/07) Dodd talks about how global warming is linked to national security 3. Chris Dodd On Global Warming Part 2 (8/7/07) Dodd talks about a carbon tax. 4. The Dodd Energy Plan (8/7/07) Dodd outlines his energy plan which he wants to use to curb global warming, create jobs, and keep America safe. 5. Dodd on the Record (11/4/07) "I believe that turning back the clock on global warming and reducing our dependence on foreign oil must be dual goals of any commonsense energy plan. Thankfully, there are existing and exciting new technologies that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil while reducing global warming risks. My administration will focus on these technologies." - Dodd 6. New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate Transcript (11/4/07) "I've introduced a plan here that would require a by the year 2017 50 miles per gallon standard for our automobiles. I believe that can be done. We ought to do it immediately, in my view. And a carbon tax, in my view, so that you make the polluting dependencies, the polluting fuels, more expensive and encourage them through the use of revenues collected, to move aggressively on developing the alternative technologies of solar and wind and other sources of energy we could use." - Dodd 7. Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act Roll Call (11/4/07) Co-sponsored the "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act" in 2007, which would require the U.S. to reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. 8. Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Roll Call (11/4/07) Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," which would have capped greenhouse gas emissions at 2000 levels by 2010. 9. Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2003 Roll Call (11/4/07) Voted yes on an amendment to the "Energy Policy Act of 2003," which would have increased automobile fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2015.

	Christopher Dodd on Guantanamo Bay Detainment Camp
	Stance: Close Guantanamo Description: Close Guantanamo Citations: 1. Dodd on Supreme Court and Guantanamo (8/29/07) "I am hopeful that the Court sees that several provisions of the Military Commissions Act cannot pass Constitutional muster. In its current form, the Military Commissions Act does not provide a credible process for bringing suspected terrorists to justice, stripping our nation of its moral authority and further imperiling our military personnel abroad. "Indeed, the erosion of Constitutional rights does not achieve their intended goal of increasing our security. Instead, it has reduced our standing in the world, making us more isolated and ultimately more vulnerable and less secure. "While the Supreme Court's review is necessary, I hope that Congress will also do its part to immediately change this law by supporting the Restoring the Constitution Act which develops a tough but fair system of bringing terrorists to justice." 2. Guantanamo Bay puzzles candidates (8/19/07) Legislation in the Senate to close Guantanamo has won support from three of the eight Democratic candidates: New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden. Clinton and Dodd are co-sponsors of a bill by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. 3. Chris Dodd on Habeus Corpus (8/13/07) A speech by Dodd about closing Guantanamo

	Christopher Dodd on Gun Control
	Stance: Supports background checks at gun shows and assault weapon ban Description: Dodd has voted in favor of background checks at gun shows. He voted against prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers and against loosening license and background checks at gun shows. He also supported the ban on assault weapons. Citations: 1. U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 106th Congress Lautenberg Amendment No. 362 (8/21/07) Christopher Dodd voted yes on background checks at gun shows.

	Christopher Dodd on Health Care
	Stance: Supports Universal Healthcare, subsidized by employers and the government. Description: "Everyone participates, everyone benefits. All the stakeholders -- individuals, employers, the government -- are involved in coming up with a system here that would make it possible to reduce those numbers of 47 million of our fellow citizens who have no health care to make sure they'll be included." - Christopher Dodd Citations: 1. Presidential Candidates on Health Careth Care (7/27/07) Quotes and stance on healthcare. 2. Transcript: Sen. Chris Dodd (7/27/07) Dodd comments on healthcare.

	Christopher Dodd on Immigration
	Stance: Supports better border security, greater cooperation with Mexico, and stiffer penalties on employers that hire illegal aliens. Opposes a guest worker program. Description: Supports better border security, greater cooperation with Mexico, and stiffer penalties on employers that hire illegal aliens. Opposes a guest worker program. Citations: 1. Presidential Candidates on Immigration (9/10/07) a collection of quotes about him on immigration 2. Dodd Speaks in Portsmouth, NH (7/24/07) Speaks about several topics including immigration.

	Christopher Dodd on Iran
	Stance: Don't engage with Iran, stop their nuclear program with sanctions, stop importing to Iran, classify Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group. Description: Dodd has said that the United States should not engage with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In a 2007 MoveOn.org Town Hall Meeting, Dodd said he would support military action against Iran without congressional approval "under extreme circumstances," though he thinks the president should seek that approval "after the emergency." In March 2007, Dodd cosponsored the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, which would impose tighter multilateral sanctions on Iran in response to its nuclear activities, expand the ban Iranian exports to the U.S. and further limits food exports from the U.S. to Iran, freeze assets of Iranian officials, and support categorizing the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. Citations: 1. Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Iraq: Transcript (8/13/07) Dodd talks about how we shouldn't move troops to Iran. 2. Sen. Joe Biden Calls Iranian Leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad 'Madman' (8/13/07) An article about Biden but talks about Dodd's position on Iran.

	Christopher Dodd on Iraq Plan
	Stance: Use diplomacy, not more troops in Iraq and end the war decisively. Description: Dodd outlines two key points about the Iraq war. 1. Use diplomacy, not more troops in Iraq. Chris Dodd is strongly opposed to a troop surge strategy. He would rather use a strategy of negotiations. 2. End the War in Iraq Decisively. Dodd strongly supports the Feingold-Reid proposal, a measure in Congress that sets a timetable to end the war in Iraq by March 31, 2008. Citations: 1. Senator Dodd Speaks on Iraq (7/24/07) His plan for Iraq 2. Plan to Restore America's Moral Authority (7/24/07) How he feels about Iraq and other foreign affairs 3. Dodd on $50 billion request for more Iraq funds (10/25/07) Dodd says we shouldn't continue to fund the war.

	Christopher Dodd on Kyoto Protocol
	Stance: Supports Kyoto Protocol Description: Dodd stated, "There is no reason why the United States should be falling behind countries such as Germany, Brazil and Japan when it comes to renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar and biofuels. If other countries can do it, America can do it better.That is why, for all its flaws, it was a disgrace that this Administration abandoned the Kyoto Protocol; that they picked up their chair and went home. In a Dodd Administration, America will lead the world in reversing the effects of global climate change, convening an International Global Warming Summit." Citations: 1. THE NEW AMERICAN PROSPERITY: INNOVATION AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY (8/8/07) REMARKS (as delivered) OF SENATOR CHRISTOPHER J. DODD AT THE CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY IN WASHINGTON DC ON THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2007

	Christopher Dodd on Line Item Veto
	Stance: Opposes Description: Chris Dodd voted against giving the President line-item veto authority with respect to appropriations, new direct spending, and limited tax benefits in 1996. Citations: 1. Vote on Line-Item Veto Bill (10/15/07) A vote to give the President line item veto authority with respect to appropriations, new direct spending, and limited tax benefits. Dodd votes 'nay'.

	Christopher Dodd on Medical Marijuana
	Stance: Should be decided by the state. Stop federal raids. Description: Sen. Dodd has publicly promised to end the federal raids on state medical marijuana programs. He also voted against an amendment in the U.S. Senate that was intended to undermine state medical marijuana laws. He also said that he did not want to ban state medical marijuana programs and "I want to leave states to decide what the right thing is to do on this." Citations: 1. Dodd on Medical Marijuana (7/23/07) Dodd on mm.

	Christopher Dodd on Military Contractors
	Stance: Supports reducing the use of military contractors Description: Senator Christopher Dodd has voiced concern over the use of unregulated military contractors overseas and has introduced legislation to limit the scope of their potential responsibilities. Citations: 1. Blackwater's chairman defends firm's record before divided House committee (10/17/07) The State Department's initial report on the incident was written by a Blackwater contractor working in the U.S. Embassy security detail, according to a CNN report. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), a presidential candidate, condemned that move. "By outsourcing the investigation of Blackwater's shooting of Iraqi civilians to Blackwater, the State Department has allowed the fox to guard the henhouse,' he said in a statement. 'This tragic incident, and the string of others involving Blackwater, remind us that unregulated military contractors can put American troops, policy and reputation at risk when their actions create strife in Iraq." 2. Dodd Announces Amendment Restricint use of Private Contractors in Iraq (10/17/07) This is a press release about Christopher Dodd's legislation to limit military contractor use by the Department of Defense.

	Christopher Dodd on Military Funding
	Stance: Use funds from the war to rebuild Army, Marine Corp, and prepare military to counter terrorism Description: Dodd said he would stop funding "the flawed strategy in Iraq" and use funds to rebuild the Army and Marine Corps as well as prepare the military to counter terrorism. Citations: 1. '08 hopefuls would grow the military (8/14/07) Talks about Dodd's plan to divert funds from Iraq war to rebuild army

	Christopher Dodd on Minimum Wage Increase
	Stance: supports minimum wage increase Description: Dodd was a strong supporter of the recent federal minimum wage increase and believes the minimum wage should be increased to at least $9-10 in order to give people the chance to provide for their families. Citations: 1. Floor Statement of Senator Chris Dodd on the Minimum Wage (7/31/07) Chris Dodd addresses the President and the Senate, encouraging them to support the Kennedy Amendment which increases the federal minimum wage by $2.10. 2. Part II: CNN/YouTube Democratic Presidential Debate Transcript (7/31/07) This is part two of the transcript for the CNN/YouTube presidential debates. The Candidates discuss issues such as energy, minimum wage, health care, and gun control.

	Christopher Dodd on Net Neutrality
	Stance: Supports Net Neutrality Description: Christopher Dodd co-sponsored the Internet Freedom Preservation Act which guaranteed net neutrality. Citations: 1. Senator Dodd Co-Sponsors 'Net Neutrality' Act (7/23/07) Chris Dodd signs on as a co-sponsor of the Internet Freedom Preservation Act. This act supports net neutrality.

	Christopher Dodd on No Child Left Behind Act
	Stance: In need of major reform Description: In a letter to the President, Dodd outlined three key points of a No Child Left Behind Reform Act because he feels that the current implementation is a failure. The three reforms are... 1. Allow schools to be given credit for performing well on measures other than test scores (dropout rates, A.P courses, improvement) when calculating student achievement. 2. Allow schools to target school choice and supplemental services to the students that demonstrate a need for them. 3. Introduce a greater degree of reasonableness to the teacher certification process. Citations: 1. Statement Dodd on the No Child Left Behind Reform Act (7/26/07) A statement by Dodd outlining the changes of the No Child Left Behind reform act.

	Christopher Dodd on Nuclear Power
	Stance: Is uneasy but feels it could be a good way to reduce global warming Description: "I understand the safety and security concerns with nuclear power and share many of them -- I live three miles away from a nuclear power plant. But nuclear power is an option to reduce global warming, which I don't believe we can afford to take off the menu of options, not when we rely on it for close to one-quarter of our power. However, the nuclear waste generated is an environmental hazard that I'm deeply concerned about. While the temporary solution of storing waste in dry casks may be safe, we must find a resolution to long-term concerns. We must invest in R&D to develop safe and secure ways for permanent disposal that will protect our environment, our water supply, and our country's national security. We are not alone in this pursuit and as president I will join forces with our allies around the world facing the same problem." - Christopher Dodd Citations: 1. Dodd on the Record (8/14/07) I understand the safety and security concerns with nuclear power and share many of them -- I live three miles away from a nuclear power plant. But nuclear power is an option to reduce global warming, which I don't believe we can afford to take off the menu of options, not when we rely on it for close to one-quarter of our power.

	Christopher Dodd on Outsourcing
	Stance: Wants all federal contracts fulfilled using U.S workers Description: Dodd proposed an amendment to the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act, which would require that all federal service contracts be fulfilled using U.S. workers. Citations: 1. A Spirited Debate Over Outsourcing And Trade (8/14/07) Dodd's proposal to keep jobs in the U.S. did not go over well. 2. Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07) "Yes, I disagree. I think it's a huge issue here. The fact of the matter is we're exporting a lot of valuable jobs in this country and we shouldn't be doing it. I offered legislation that was passed that prohibited the Defense Department for outsourcing contracts, going off our shores here when many hard-working Americans ought to be allowed to do those jobs. I talked earlier about providing tax incentives. When you have people literally driving to the international airports to fly to some country to provide some funding for a local project in those nations, bypassing the very communities that could very well use those kind of jobs and economic growth, that is wrong. I will continue to do what I can to see to it that we limit outsourcing American jobs."

	Christopher Dodd on Same-Sex Marriage
	Stance: Supports Civil Unions Description: Christopher Dodd believes that same-sex couples should have the right to enter into civil unions. He believes that marriage is reserved for a man and a woman. Citations: 1. Do you support gay marriage? (7/24/07) Christopher Dodd says he supports same-sex marriage. 2. Part I: CNN/YouTube Democratic presidential debate transcript (7/24/07) "So I feel very strongly, if you ask yourself the question, "How would you like your children treated if they had a different sexual orientation than their parents?," the answer is yes. They ought to have that ability in civil unions. I don't go so far as to call for marriage. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman."