Chris Dodd: Iowa City Foreign Relations Council

Chris Dodd: Iowa City Foreign Relations Council

4:34 and 100+ at the library on this chilly election day waiting for Chris Dodd.

While we wait: relatively high election day turnout, combined with out of the ballpark record absentees. 900 ballots from the under 24 crowd still to come back. Haven't has a chance to check it by precinct, except for the huuuge Hills turnout on that water referendum.

Several eminence grises -- eminences grise? in attendance: ex mayor Naomi Novick, ex county attorney Pat White, ex state senator Jean Lloyd-Jones.

4:47 and program starting. Retired Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Swift speaks first. Was a JAG. Likens military commissions systems to star chambers. "We cannot obtain a conviction the world would recognize." What we won at the Supreme Court when commissions initially overturned: "we finally defeated fear. But fear still has an awful lot of sway." "Torture is alive and well under the military commissions system." And only someone from al Qaida would claim they were tortured. Hey, he makes a reference to the iron maiden (medieval torture device) and then a joke about Iron Maiden (the band). Sorry, that sidetracked me.

"Terrorism is like fire. It needs fuel, heat, and oxygen." The Bush asministration has increased the heat and fuel. Gitmo helps the other side, and gives them more propaganda/oxygen than they could have dreamed of.

"The rule of law is what I fight for," a Marine classmate of his said. "Before it was popular, Senator Dodd fought for the rule of law. He is worthy of being Commander in chief."

Dodd on 4:56. "I'm saddened that we have to campaign on defending the constitution." First thing I will do as President: "by executive order, restore the Constitution to the American people."

"The rule of law extends even to those enemies we most despise." Can we defend America if we fail to defend the constitution? Too many Americans say we can and consider the Constitution a luxury. Military Commissions Act gave Bush everything he wanted, worst of all it authorized torture. "I spoke and voted against that disgraceful bill." Now American is known not for its great accomplishments - from Normandy to Nuremburg - but for Abu Gharib and Gitmo.

"As recently as last month, Bush insisted that America does not us toture." He discusses waterboarding, quoting: "When done right, it is controlled death."

Extraordinary Rendition is kidnapping and outsourced torture. "Waterboarding was invented by the Spanish inquisition and perfected by the Khmer Rouge. There is no place for it in my America" (applause)

On to Mukasey. "The president has the authority to defend the country outside of statute" Dodd quotes, then says "we have a choice between the rule of law and the rule of men." Cites telecoms handing over records and retroactive immunity. "Congress and the people are kept in the dark."

Pledges to filibuster retroactive immunity. (to significant applause)

The rhetoric is high minded, old fashioned, almost professorial.

"Khalid Mohammed plays martyr to a world that is unfortunately inclined to believe him."

Iraq is "one of the greatest failures in the history of our foreign policy."

Cites McCain's torture stance and experience. "Torture doesn't stop terrorists, in my opinion it makes terrorists." Now moving to Nuremburg, giving the very short version of the discussion from Prairie Lights.

"Today in Iowa City, I'm asking you not just to trust me, but more imprtantly to trust yourself and your values." Confront enemy with all our strengths: "tou smart interrogation" AND moral example. "We defend the constitution and the rule of law PRECISELY to protect our country."

5:13 and pre-written audience questions.

How would Dodd deal with friends (Pakistann) who reject rule of law. Dodd: "Pakistan and afghanistan pose greatest threats to our security." Talked to Benazir Bhutto this AM. Need a date certain for elections, coalition govt, prisoner release. "I'm the only presidential candidate (who's serving in the Senate) who called to terminate funding in Iraq." Cites Russert debate and lack of commitment to have troops ot by 2013. "This is in no way to denigrate the men and women in uniform. We may fundamentally disagree with policy, but men and women in uniform deserve our undying respect."

How would Dodd rebuild moral authority of US? Dodd: "This is reversible." Cites his Peace Corps service. Notes that in late 1950's Nixon's car was stoned in Venezuela, yet JFK is idolized in Latin America. "We need to engage positively and constructively with the Muslim world." Jordan wants the see the US back on its feet again. "Every other foreign policy we're dealing with is seen thru the prism of Iraq" and is adversely affected.

What changes would Dodd like to see in adjusting US perceptions of international law to deal with things like Darfur. Dodd "I've long called for the establisment of an int'l criminal court." Cites Nuremburg again. Intl. court does not endanger US but enhances our principles. How sad that America now argues against it. His dad often wondered if an international court in the 1920's would have deterred WW2. Naziism was created not just by what Germans did but by what victors did. Contrast that to Marshall plan. Now we've returned to the post-WWI model. "This will never never NEVER be resolved by the US acting alone -- only by international action." (voice rising in passion.)

Dodd would like to see UN act with more backbone in places like Darfur. Sees some int'l efforts, wants to see more responsiveness and focus. "I will never sign a free trade agreement without intl labor standards, environmental standards, and health care" (applause)

You supported NAFTA, what would you change in our multulateral/bilateral agreements, and look at immigration. Dodd: "you've gotta be a professor for that question." Notes globalization of the economy. There are advantages to that, and I've supported fair trading agreements but opposed some that weren't. Was painful for me to oppose CAFTA, but each country could set its own labor standards. "There would be a race to the bottom. The nation with the lowest wages and worst working conditions will win the contract." Intl. labor standards is enlightened self interest for the US. We should deal with regions, not individual countries. Immigration: "we need far more cooperation from Mexico." 60% of undocumented workers are not from Latin America, and we need a more balanced view. We need a pathway to legalization, and use our influence to get other countries to improve their own conditions.

More on immigration: "there are rights and privileges," citing the license fight with Hillary. "A drivers license is a privilege, Health care is a right." Election 08 could turn on this issue, I regret lack of comprehensive reform. Need to be responsible and reasonable. We need good relationships with neighbors and secure borders; "I'm opposed to amnesty."

Winding down: nuclear proliferation and Iran bomb. What would Dodd do if Iran got da bomb? Dodd: "I grew up in an age when diplomacy had a value." It's not weakness to negotiate. I went to Syria, State Dept told me "we're not talking," but I met with Assad. Wrong attitude not to talk to adversaries. "I could go out to dinner and come back before I get a question in these debates." (would you meet with Kim, Ahmedinijad, Castro, Chavez: "a stupid question" and applause.) Negotiation is labor intensive. I helped resolve ward in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala. Bush 41 asked him "if I can talk to one person in Latin America, who should I call." Dodd cites a former president of Uruguay -- and 41 did. "You build a relationship."

Iran: "What didn't we learn in the fall of 2002?" Kyl-Lieberman. "What were you thinking of to vote for that resolution?" I opposed, Biden, Lugar, etc. (Doesn't NAME Hillary for voting for it, but the room knows.) Iran poses some problems but Pakistan is far more serious. "Iran has tremendous needs." Much of it very backward. Let's prioritize, there's an opportunity. Negotiating finally starting to work with N Korea, it can be done in Iran as well.

Moderator Rex Honey notes that until caucus night, we have three Senators living in Iowa. Dodd: "I will forever support the idea of the caucuses" and New Hampshire. Mentions his daughter enrolling in school in Des Moines. "We're delighted to be here, and I'm so impressed with the people who show up in the smallest rural counties" to engage. Gives an abbreviated version of some of the stump remarks.

5:50 and he's doing some meet and greet -- my furlough from work is winding down. See ya after the polls close.