Farewell to Chris Dodd

MoonHowler

On Tuesday, Chris Dodd gave his farewell address to the Senate.  He retires after 30 years in the Senate.  He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1974 and the Senate in 1980.  Senator Dodd has left a legacy of legislation. 

Perhaps his greatest contribution to improving American lives was the FMLA Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton.  To date, over 50 million Americans have taken leave to care for a sick child, spouse, parent, knowing that they would have a job to return to.  Mothers have been able to take the necessary time off after giving birth or adopting a child.   

 

As I listened to Senator Dodd’s farewell address, I thought of the advice in his wise words.  He spoke of the Senate, the expectations of the Founding Fathers, and the collegiality that was necessary to get the job done.  Listen for yourself:

 

I would ask that if people have negative, political comments, please keep them to yourself. 

Chris Dodd’s advise to the Senate and really, to all legislators comes at a crucial time in our history as a nation.  It could bode well for America to heed his advice.  Our legislators need to relearn the art of working together towards a common goal. 

Thanks for your service, Senator Dodd.  Enjoy your retirement and smooth sailing in all your new endeavors.

Keep Shoveling, Corey

MoonHowler

Corey is just the gift that keeps on giving.  The Washington Post in its Virginia Political blog section quotes Corey:

The always-outspoken Stewart repeated his remarks today, and said he doesn’t worry that McDonnell may back Allen because voters already showed they don’t support Allen by voting him out of office in 2006.

“They’re old friends,” Stewart said. “George Allen has a lot of old friends. It’s not Bob McDonnell who chooses the next senator from Virginia. It’s the electorate. … And they have already decided Allen had a mediocre term as senator. He needs to move on.”

Does Corey not know the math of winning an election?  The winner has to get the most votes.  No one decided that George Allen was a mediocre senator.  Jim Webb got more votes.  Corey’s over-simplification is laughable. 
Now Governor McDonnell has come out and defended George Allen. 

“I think a lot of George Allen,” McDonnell said on his monthly radio show Tuesday on WTOP. “I served with him in the legislature when he was governor. He was the most dynamic governor of the modern age. I think he was an exceptional governor. He was a very good senator.”

 

McDonnell also has said he probably won’t endorse anyone.  Perhaps discretion is the better part of valor.  Maybe Corey needs to emulate the governor.  He just keeps digging himself in deeper and deeper.  If he keeps it up, about 10% of the population will support him, if he is lucky.  That’s won’t send Mr. Stewart to Washington.