Let's face it, folks. Right now, Maine is looking fairly irrelevant in the nomination process. We're all going to go to caucus and look pretty, and get elected to the Convention, and have a fun few days.
But our votes look to be meaningless. Barring a three-way race that sends the candidates scrambling to Maine to seek momentum, since we caucus solo on February 10th, this thing should be fairly wrapped up.
And under those circumstances, I hope that you will support Chris Dodd at the caucus.
Senator Dodd has shown serious leadership over these past few months, specifically regarding the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill. The bill that was taken up on the floor today was atrocious, in that it would grant immunity to a bunch of telephone companies who were fully aware they were breaking the law.
Chris has made his entire campaign about the Constitution. His father, Thomas, was the lead prosecutor of the Nuremberg trials. Chris wrote a book, where he published many of the letters, entitled Letters from Nuremberg. I suggest you read it.
Chris has spent his entire life knowing the importance of the rule of law, and that this is a nation of laws, not men. He has repeatedly taken time off his campaign to fight for what we as progressives believe in.
For those who forgot, we spent ages complaining about the FISA bill. We tried everything we could to stop it. And finally, it came down to asking Senator Dodd to stop it. Hillary wouldn't. Obama wouldn't.
They said they backed Dodd's filibuster when he said he'd do it (and do it, he did). But did they take the time off their busy campaign schedules to put their money where their mouths were? I think not. Empty promises. Much as we've come to expect from Washington politicians.
So that is why I ask you to support Chris Dodd at the Maine Caucus on February 10th- or whatever other late state you may be in. Not because he can win, not because he was your first choice. I ask you to support him because we would honor him by sending delegates to the conventions on his behalf. We would honor his commitment to the Constitution, and standing up for us when the others would not.
A vote for Chris Dodd is truly a vote to repudiate "politics as usual"- the politics of lofty goals, big promises, and no results.
For this, he should be the progressive movement's "favorite son".