Dodd and CT residents speak out
By ConnPolitics.tv Staff on Jun 18, 2008 | In News, Sen. Chris Dodd (D) | 33 feedbacks »
(WTNH) _ Senator Chris Dodd’s nearly 28 years as Connecticut’s United States Senator is being seriously tested. He says he thought the VIP treatment he got from Countrywide Financial was just because he was a good customer, and not because he was a United States Senator who chairs the senate banking committee. It appears some people in Connecticut are having a hard time buying that.
W-T-I-C AM Radio’s Jim Vicevich has been fielding calls about Senator Chris Dodd’s mortgages since Friday. But, since Dodd finally addressed the issue in public Tuesday, it appears many are not buying his explanation.
“As anyone’s been through this, you negotiate, you shop around, you negotiate points and other matters, it’s really commonplace,” Senator Dodd said. “So we were, obviously, trying to get the best deal we could but not a deal based on the job I held.”
Tony, a talk show caller, replied, “Does this really surprise anybody? I’m starting to believe that not only do the Democrats and all politicians in general think that everybody’s stupid.”
Meanwhile, Jim, a talk show caller, added, “This man is the chairman of the Senate Banking Commission and he says he doesn’t know that he got a good deal? Then he’s incompetent, he should step down from his position immediately.”
But just like your comments since Friday on Connpolitics.tv, there is a minority of reaction defending the longtime senator or, at least giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Scott, a talk show caller, said, “If he can show, in evidence, the fact that he was courting other or soliciting other lenders, I don’t think there’s a huge problem, unless there’s other evidence to show otherwise.”
But, Dodd also appears to be receiving some of the pent up anger that many feel about all politicians in general. “Even if he didn’t know, what else has he not known?” George, a talk show caller, said. “He’s spending our taxpayer money and he doesn’t even know his own finances. But, we’re supposed to trust him with our tax dollars?”
What’s described as a liberal watchdog group, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington’ has filed a complaint and the Senate Ethics Committee has begun a preliminary investigation of Dodd’s mortgages.
33 comments
Comment from: charlie [Visitor] 
Dodd is a Connecticut politicain. So calling him a corrupt thief would be redundent!!!
06/19/08 @ 02:42
Comment from: CTRedSoxFan [Visitor]
Just because he was a good customer...not cutting it!
Sorry you idiot-you are the chair of the banking commission, involved in the mortgage mess, expecting US to pay for the greedy and stupidity of other. How could you not know?
I check everything and go over everything.
You are a stupid as those people you expect us to pay for
Sorry you idiot-you are the chair of the banking commission, involved in the mortgage mess, expecting US to pay for the greedy and stupidity of other. How could you not know?
I check everything and go over everything.
You are a stupid as those people you expect us to pay for
06/19/08 @ 06:53
Comment from: Hosed by the system [Visitor]
I love when a career idiot politician claims "stupidity"....he DIDNT know????? LOL Its like Roland "not" knowing when getting his home improvements or that other senetor that had 90k in his damn freezer "not knowing" there was anything wrong.......
If he TRUELY didnt know how the process works, then he shouldnt be representing us, WE are getting shortchanged........
Our political system is "corrupt" plain & damn simple..............most SMART people know it.....its all around us....just like this "change" that the 2 corrupt party's are shoveing down our throats now...change??? huh, huh....
If he TRUELY didnt know how the process works, then he shouldnt be representing us, WE are getting shortchanged........
Our political system is "corrupt" plain & damn simple..............most SMART people know it.....its all around us....just like this "change" that the 2 corrupt party's are shoveing down our throats now...change??? huh, huh....
06/19/08 @ 07:08
Comment from: Denise in CT [Visitor]
John Rowland was run out of office for similar "ignorance" and the Courant went after the story like a hungry dog after a bone! Time for the Courant to practice unbiased reporting and investigate this thoroughly on behalf of the people of CT. Shame on Dodd and shame on us for not insisting on term limits for all our politicians!
06/19/08 @ 07:37
Comment from: Rose in Ct. [Visitor]
When are the citizens of Ct going to vote this guy into retirement? If only Dodd would apply his concern for the rights of terrorists to his own constituents.Since he's the chair for the banking committee, he must be very concerned about the massive personal data loss by BNY Mellon which occurred in his own state. Yeah, right.
06/19/08 @ 08:51
Comment from: Independent Observer [Visitor]
We can sleep easily at night knowing we have politicians who are so intelligent and honest while looking out for the folks.
06/19/08 @ 08:56
Comment from: Independent Observer [Visitor]
Denise--- the Courant noted in todays paper that Dodd received $25k in contributions and implied that was chump change and we should not be concerned. Unfortunately, they did not report how much he gained from the VIP treatment--which is close to $80k and would be more that $100k in gratuities. Nor did they explain how a Senator could not realize he was getting a significantly better interest rate than the commoners who shop for better interest rates. The Courant would like you to believe that Senators don't know what what prevailing rates are-even if they are on the banking committee.
06/19/08 @ 09:03
Comment from: H. Tuttle in Fairfield [Visitor]
Sen. Dodd is one of the most fatuous gasbags in the Senate. I don't have a problem with people holding different opinions from mine, but he's so clearly a partisan hack who twists the facts and truth shameless that I have no idea how or why my fellow Nutmeggers keep sending this buffoon to D.C.
06/19/08 @ 09:29
Comment from: Independent Observer [Visitor]
Tuttle--With the power of the media at Dodd's back, he has a better than even chance of getting relected. The only thing that matters to the media is that he is a Democrat. Republicans and Independents need not apply----
06/19/08 @ 09:50
Comment from: Jesse [Visitor]
Dodd is merely an unfortunate victim of a terrible disease known as "White Marble Fever". Symptoms include delusions of grandeur, profligate spending of other people's money, hypocrisy, and an overwhelming sense of entitlement.
Endemic to Washington DC, the disease strikes elected officials after two terms in the Senate, and three terms in the House.The only known cure is removal from Washington DC.
SOS...Save Our Senator...for his own good, vote out Senator Dodd. Term limits for all the rest.
Endemic to Washington DC, the disease strikes elected officials after two terms in the Senate, and three terms in the House.The only known cure is removal from Washington DC.
SOS...Save Our Senator...for his own good, vote out Senator Dodd. Term limits for all the rest.
06/19/08 @ 10:07
Comment from: dan [Visitor]
I am really shocked by this. I used to be a Sen Dodd fan. I even voted for him in the last election but I never will again.
The guy is a crook. He used his position as a Senator and memeber of the Senate Banking Committee to get a sweetheart VIP" deal to refinance his mortgage.
When Countrywide took a few points of his mortgage they basically gave him a couple of thousand dollar kickback. Where I come from we call that getting a bride!
This is a real scandal and somebody really needs to investigate this!
The guy is a crook. He used his position as a Senator and memeber of the Senate Banking Committee to get a sweetheart VIP" deal to refinance his mortgage.
When Countrywide took a few points of his mortgage they basically gave him a couple of thousand dollar kickback. Where I come from we call that getting a bride!
This is a real scandal and somebody really needs to investigate this!
06/19/08 @ 12:00
Comment from: Ray from Fairfield [Visitor]
Chris, Chris, Chris
Like father like son. Maybe it's time for a censure hearing.
The current generation knows nothing of the like's of Thomas Dodd and Adam Clayton Powell. They,like Chris,did a lot of good, but they also got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
Like father like son. Maybe it's time for a censure hearing.
The current generation knows nothing of the like's of Thomas Dodd and Adam Clayton Powell. They,like Chris,did a lot of good, but they also got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
06/19/08 @ 12:33
Comment from: Paul [Visitor]
Dodd has been living off of the taxpayer and lobbyist dime his whole adult life. Dodd expects freebies.
He always reacts with an indignant "Shame on you for being suspicious" when he gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
The last time was when he generated publicity for his heavy drinking and womanizing with Kennedy.
He always reacts with an indignant "Shame on you for being suspicious" when he gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
The last time was when he generated publicity for his heavy drinking and womanizing with Kennedy.
06/19/08 @ 14:52
Comment from: Gotcha!!!! [Visitor]
Hey Hosed,
Your on to something there.
Heres another example: Aman sits in a church for 20 years listening to some of the most VILE RACIST GARBAGE anyone has ever uttered....and then has the onions to say "I was unaware that this was going on....
Your on to something there.
Heres another example: Aman sits in a church for 20 years listening to some of the most VILE RACIST GARBAGE anyone has ever uttered....and then has the onions to say "I was unaware that this was going on....
06/19/08 @ 15:12
Comment from: peter [Visitor]
Umm, didn't the good senator call the CEO personally to obtain his sweetheart mortgage?
Dodd is of course correct that "you negotiate, you shop around, you negotiate points..." but most normal people do that by contacting an agent or rep -- not by calling the freakin' CEO and having your secretary announce "please hold for the Chairman Of The Senate Banking Committee, who would like to discuss his personal mortgage".
But I'm sure the good senator just thought that's how most people obtained quotes.
Dodd is of course correct that "you negotiate, you shop around, you negotiate points..." but most normal people do that by contacting an agent or rep -- not by calling the freakin' CEO and having your secretary announce "please hold for the Chairman Of The Senate Banking Committee, who would like to discuss his personal mortgage".
But I'm sure the good senator just thought that's how most people obtained quotes.
06/19/08 @ 15:26
Comment from: david in Eastern CT [Visitor]
I am glad someone else noted that Chris's dad was corrupt. Having said that I have had several occassions to talk with Senetor Dodd. He is an idiot.
06/19/08 @ 15:46
Comment from: XNutmegger [Visitor]
I am also glad that others noted the corruption of his father, Senator Thomas Dodd.
Senator Thomas Dodd autographed a friend’s soccer ball during his 1964 senatorial campaign.
As regards a previous comment on Chris Dodd’s intelligence, I went to high school with one of his cousins, and let it be said that the cousin was not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree.
What teed me off about Chris Dodd years ago was his stance towards the Sandinistas during the 1980s. My Eastern Conn. hometown had too many refugees from Communist regimes for me to take kindly to a Senator who wanted to make nice with Marxists such as the Sandinistas. I had also spent too much time in Latin America to not see what devastation Marxists had spread there.
Senator Thomas Dodd autographed a friend’s soccer ball during his 1964 senatorial campaign.
As regards a previous comment on Chris Dodd’s intelligence, I went to high school with one of his cousins, and let it be said that the cousin was not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree.
What teed me off about Chris Dodd years ago was his stance towards the Sandinistas during the 1980s. My Eastern Conn. hometown had too many refugees from Communist regimes for me to take kindly to a Senator who wanted to make nice with Marxists such as the Sandinistas. I had also spent too much time in Latin America to not see what devastation Marxists had spread there.
06/19/08 @ 16:09
Comment from: Dan [Visitor]
I love the "soliciting other lenders" comment. "Solicitation" is exactly what was going on here.
C'mon did a turnup truck hit a bump in the road in Washington and toss this guy off the back or does he think we're just plain stupid?
I suppose he has to look at the tag in underwear when he needs to know his name?
06/19/08 @ 16:29
Comment from: Blacque Jacques Shellacque [Visitor]
Y'all put the guy in office, so when the ridicule comes your way, don't complain.
06/19/08 @ 17:02
Comment from: CTRedSoxfan [Visitor]
I asked my mortgage company to give me the same VIP deal today. They told me that when I became the chair of the banking committee I'd get it.
Sounds fair doesn't it?
Sounds fair doesn't it?
06/19/08 @ 20:08
Comment from: Captain Dutch [Visitor]
Dodd’s explanation is just like he is…a heaping pile of horse dung!!!
Puh-leeze. He learns he’s getting a “VIP Loan Package” and never one thinks to ask “why?” As the vaunted Senior Senator from the Great State of Connecticut he is never able at least ponder “does this have anything to do with the fact I’m Chairman of The Senate Banking Committee?”
I don’t know which is worse:
1.) That this sack of horse dung wasn’t able to cognitively determine the potential conflict of interest, or
2.) That he thinks us as so stupid to believe this cock and bull story.
If the people of Connecticut return this pile of dung to the Senate when he runs again…shame on them. But, then again they really have no one to blame but themselves to begin with having elected and consistently re-elected the son of a crook. Thomas Dodd was censured by the Senate for fiscal misappropriations. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree after all.
Puh-leeze. He learns he’s getting a “VIP Loan Package” and never one thinks to ask “why?” As the vaunted Senior Senator from the Great State of Connecticut he is never able at least ponder “does this have anything to do with the fact I’m Chairman of The Senate Banking Committee?”
I don’t know which is worse:
1.) That this sack of horse dung wasn’t able to cognitively determine the potential conflict of interest, or
2.) That he thinks us as so stupid to believe this cock and bull story.
If the people of Connecticut return this pile of dung to the Senate when he runs again…shame on them. But, then again they really have no one to blame but themselves to begin with having elected and consistently re-elected the son of a crook. Thomas Dodd was censured by the Senate for fiscal misappropriations. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree after all.
06/19/08 @ 21:55
Comment from: Willys [Visitor]
Congress... 535 reasons to NEVER vote for an incumbent.
06/19/08 @ 22:10
Comment from: RobJ [Visitor]
Come on, folks. He's CHRIS DODD! The man is not losing any sleep over this. Come election day (2010, not 2008), no one will remember this. We get the representation we deserve. CT is blue, through & through. Dodd has this senate seat for as long as he wants it. As a CT conservative (real conservative, not a Rell RINO type), I'd love to see him go, but it's not going to happen.
And leave his father out of this. The guy is dead.
And leave his father out of this. The guy is dead.
06/19/08 @ 23:09
Comment from: CTRedSoxFan [Visitor]
Unfortunately RobJ is right.-Dodd is laughing at all of us-he's sitting in his 2 homes with the low interest rate, trying to shove the burden of the mortgage mess down our throats, all the while knowing the democratic simps of this state will re-elect him because this is too far away from re-election time.
We need term limits-but that won't happen because the washington fat cats would never vote that in-they'd be on the unemployment line and collecting social security when they reach retirement age just like the rest of us.
We need term limits-but that won't happen because the washington fat cats would never vote that in-they'd be on the unemployment line and collecting social security when they reach retirement age just like the rest of us.
06/20/08 @ 07:31
Comment from: From Louisiana [Visitor]
I grew up in New Orleans (moved away the day I graduated), so I know something about coruption.
My hat's off to CT, ya'll make some of our best(worst) politicians look like the little leagues.
William "Freezer" Jefferson has nothing on your guys.
My hat's off to CT, ya'll make some of our best(worst) politicians look like the little leagues.
William "Freezer" Jefferson has nothing on your guys.
06/20/08 @ 09:45
Comment from: From Louisiana [Visitor]
I grew up in New Orleans (moved away the day I graduated), so I know something about coruption.
My hat's off to CT, ya'll make some of our best(worst) politicians like the little leagues.
William Freezer Jefferson has nothing on your guys.
My hat's off to CT, ya'll make some of our best(worst) politicians like the little leagues.
William Freezer Jefferson has nothing on your guys.
06/20/08 @ 09:45
Comment from: Cindy Munford [Visitor]
"Reports" say that most people think that they like their representatives but think that other states' reps are corrupt, well I live in Florida, my two senators may or may not be corrupt but they are dumber than a box or rocks. I don't want to ammend the Constitution for term limits, let's just get the gumption to do it on our own. We keep leaving these folks up there to get all cozy with the "elites". Please no more! Please excuse any misspellings I see what I meant when I try to proof read.
06/20/08 @ 10:24
Comment from: From Louisiana [Visitor]
Bravo Cindy!
Why do we keep electing the sons and daughters of politians? Louisiana has Mary Landreu (daughter/niece) of former New Orleans mayor, related to Attny General ,etc. etc.. Especially offspring of corrupt ones!
Why do we keep electing the sons and daughters of politians? Louisiana has Mary Landreu (daughter/niece) of former New Orleans mayor, related to Attny General ,etc. etc.. Especially offspring of corrupt ones!
06/20/08 @ 10:52
Comment from: drjohn [Visitor]
Dodd should suffer the same fate that he happily sought for John Rowland.
He shoudl resign.
The problem is that people of this state are stupid enough to continue to vote for Dodd.
He shoudl resign.
The problem is that people of this state are stupid enough to continue to vote for Dodd.
06/23/08 @ 09:51
Comment from: Lisa [Visitor]
My opinion on governers congress have no respect for people all they care about is money. well guess what.. we also have officers patroling the streets and when women ages 18 & over are out there either going into clubs bars or leaving. these cops are flirting with them, I believe most of those men are married and it's not professioanl. I don't believe anyone should be voted at all until we fix our state of connecticut and enough with taxes we are getting tired of being controled by cops and how they ticket people that show no respect for humanity and this is getting out of hand. to many innocent people are going thru heatache with how life is, and i think we need to think strongly about the year 2012 that's almost here.
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