Senator Chris Dodd in Somersworth, NH
Senator Chris Dodd in Somersworth, September 2, 2007
On this brilliant New England late summer day, Senator Dodd came to a private home and garden to present himself and his presidential aspirations to a gathering of Democrats. The hostess set the tone by thanking him for having seen the Family and Medical Leave Act through the U.S. Senate. Our very own Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter then spoke with wise restraint, suggesting that the audience hold any final preference for presidential candidates until all have been heard and evaluated.
The Senator himself addressed this friendly gathering with undeniable skill. What he had to say about U.S. domestic and foreignpolicy was justified and well thought out, if just a bit glib. He obviously feels passionate about restoring the full impact of our Constitution, about national service programs, social services, election reform, a just and conscientious economic policy that enforces workers’ rights and regulations on safety and environmental concerns internationally and also overcomes the current domestic inequities such as the Bankruptcy Bill that was designed by the credit-card industry, and mortgage crisis, and others.
Where Senator Dodd fails at this point in his campaign is in regard to a powerful and persuasive program that would overcome the current predominance of military power exerted worldwide by the U.S. government. As do many other presidential candidates, Senator Dodd commendably focused on the need for withdrawal from Iraq and for negotiation with Iran instead of yet more armed conflict. What he completely avoided was discussion of the many other aspects of the U.S. military presence abroad. I was in the audience and steadfastly held up my hand, but found no opportunity to ask whether the Senator would, as President, close our numerous military bases worldwide and make certain that our armed forces are truly a defense force which stays at home until there is a true threat to our borders. (Noam Chomsky, the stellar pacifist, recently asked, “are there any Iranian aircraft carriers just off Cape Cod?”)
The many deeply troubling and unconstitutional acts committed by the Bush White House were not mentioned by Senator Dodd, and neither was the impeachment which so many upstanding Americans now demand. That we must put our house in order is certainly an issue that I expect a Presidential candidate to confront, whether it seems opportune or not.
During a small gathering in the hostess’s home before the outdoor event, Senator Dodd used the unfortunate platitude that nuclear energy is “on the table”. I was unpleasantly reminded that this expression has recently been used in the United States Congress regarding plans for using military force against Iran. These are nothing but buzzwords which ignore the deep concern of the voters with matters of military posture, a resurgence of the vexing nuclear industry (and the inherent danger of nuclear warfare), the impossibility of safely storing nuclear waste, and the entire question of corporate dominance over political decisions.
So far this year, I have also attended appearances by Senators Joe Biden and Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, and Congressman Kucinich. While Senator Obama avoided answering my question about U.S. military bases abroad, I feel that he will think about the issue and have a considered opinion on it the next time he is in New Hampshire. Biden and Richardson were too pat to appeal to me. This leaves the one man with a perfect anti-militarist, anti-war record: Dennis Kucinich. Until a more convincing candidate comes along, my vote goes to Congressman Kucinich, with complete trust and faith in him.