Presidential candidate Chris Dodd was one of numerous Democratic leaders trying to light a fire under the Cheshire County Democrats gathered at the group’s annual spaghetti dinner Saturday.
And Dodd, a Connecticut senator, had two topics on his mind that he was especially heated up about — protecting and defending the country’s Constitution, and the war in Iraq.
He gave an impassioned argument that the Constitution shouldn’t belong to a political party or a candidate, and pledged that if he did nothing else in office, he would restore that document by making sure the Constitution is adhered to, and that suspected terrorists are given the right to due process.
The Democratic candidate cited numerous ways the George W. Bush administration had violated the Constitution, including what he called illegal spying on Americans, and the politicization of U.S. Attorneys’ offices.
“Since when did anybody, including the president, believe they have the right to be above the law?” he asked.
Dodd also said it was time for elected officials to start speaking “boldly and clearly” on important issues, even if the result was a bill that, for example, fell short of the necessary votes for approval in Congress.
Dodd said he was unsatisfied with other Democratic presidential candidates’ refusals to commit to withdrawing troops from Iraq by the end of their first term in office.
“We need to do it sooner, rather than later,” he said, adding that he would have troops pulled out by the beginning of his term or shortly thereafter.
Then, he addressed a few other issues, lowering his booming voice.
“I’ve got to calm down,” Dodd said to laughter. “I get a little wound up.”
He urged voters to elect a president who emphasizes bipartisanship, and who can restore respect for America in other countries around the world.
He said voters should choose a candidate who could “make a different for our country.”
And, Dodd said, though he realizes he’s not the best known candidate or the best financed, New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary allows him to compete.
Dodd’s speech sparked praise and admiration among some of the 300 Democrats gathered for the event, but many said they had already signed on as supporters of other candidates, or had yet to make up their minds.
Afterwards, State Rep. Suzanne S. Butcher, D-Keene, said she agreed with Dodd’s energy plan that would create a “carbon tax” on polluters, and his desire to make the U.S. a world leader again.
However, Butcher said she loves different candidates for different reasons, and said she’s still making up her mind about who has her vote.
“I would be happy with most all of the candidates we have,” said Alstead resident Truman Breshears.
But his allegiance was already pledged to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, he said, adding that he would vote for Dodd if he thought Dodd could win.
Though Nashua resident Jane Clemons said she had “a tremendous amount of respect” for Dodd, she had already decided to vote for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.
But no matter who is chosen, Clemons said, none of the Democratic candidates should criticize the others.
“We do need to remember to stick together so we can come together in the end,” she said.
Jack Pratt, a former Democratic state representative from Walpole who’s now a Cheshire County commissioner, was also recognized at the dinner.
Pratt received the Russell Award, named for Ron and Pat Russell, longtime county Democrats.
They established the award to recognize individuals who have contributed to local efforts to elect Democrats.
