DavidNYC, in a front-page post at Daily Kos, directs reader's towards Mike Caulfield's endorsement post of Chris Dodd for President on Blue Hampshire. DavidNYC takes the opportunity to use Caulfield's extensive research of Dodd's record of leadership to draw attention to just how Chris Dodd succeeded in passing the Family & Medical Leave Act -- and the lesson Democrats should take away from Dodd's dedication to passing FMLA.
So I see two lessons here. The first is that Democrats need to trust their instincts when it comes to passing progressive legislation. The GOP will always and forever have our worst interests at heart - why would you ever listen to them? Chris Dodd didn't, and his pushback rallied Democrats and sundered the Republicans.
The second is that progressive change takes time. Dodd waited over five years to see the FMLA become the law of the land. It was undoubtedly a long, frustrating wait, a sort we've grown bitterly accustomed to under the current Bush regime. But changing this country for the better has never been easy. We need to take the long view, but remain ever vigilant in keeping up the pressure - just like Chris Dodd.
I think this is spot on. Time and again, Chris Dodd has succeeded in taking Democratic principles and making them national policies. That's no easy task and it's one that has taken time and coalition building. By standing up on principle, Chris Dodd has been able to get the results that America needs throughout his career. It's a lesson that all Democrats need to keep in mind as they work to make America a better place and it's one of the best examples of why Chris Dodd should be our next President.
Comments
Dodd is the only candidate who has ever produced change. The others simply talk about change, or promise change. The others do not have a record of making change actually happen.
FMLA is a great example. On the foreign policy front Dodd made changes by negotiating peace in Northern Ireland and Central America. Real change.