Dodd Interview Censored

Our political system is broken. We need to have a system without professional politicians who are in office forever. We need the citizen representative who is there a short time and then goes back to their life and career. A life time of pandering to groups to get and stay elected is a slippery slope that leads to these kinds of messes over time. Can you say Term Limits?

yes I can! Term limits!

WELI -- before Clear Channel muddied it -- was once a good station with local characteristics. Now it's all garbage -- selling crap over the airwaves or pandering to the political delights of its uber-management. Nothing really relevant to us. Brainwashing -- harmful! Shut it off!

Dodd should be removed from office. This bout of attempted radio pandering to the communities he has harmed is as dirty and corrupt as the media channel itself. Perhaps he was once a populist, but no longer. His strident but false populist soapboxing fools nobody. Down with the King!

JK,

We do have term limits. For Senators, it is 6 years.

I understand the argument that you make, but would rather put the burden on the electorate to make the decision vs. legislating it.

While Dodd might be an example of an un-examined candidate, what about Chris Shays? The election of Himes shows that when you have an engaged electorate, our system does work. And it is capable of purging long running powerful influences without the aid of term limits. Look at Bloomberg. Most people in New York are grateful that he will be running again. Term limits would be counter-productive in a thoughtful engaged democracy. Lets just encourage people to understand that there already ARE term limits in place and that its up to us to renew the contracts.

Perhaps the large turn-out last week signals that we are experiencing a new trend of a much more engaged electorate, one that will continue to examine the records of the candidates and one which will not blindly pull the lever for the party or the familiar name.

As far as Dodd goes, he ought to resign his post as chair of banking. Not only did he create the perception of scandal by accepting a mortgage from Countrywide, but he also presided over an industry meltdown of historic proportions. Everyone directly involved with the main levers of control, from CEOs to treasury officials to congressional leaders ought to be replaced.

The fact that Dodd and Frank are not taking any accountability whatsoever is shameful and speaks volumes as to their character and to the character of the current senate and house leadership. Republicans and democrats are no different on this score.

I've liked Chris Dodd as our Senator but after learning of his sweetheart deals, I agree it's time for him to go! Dodd seems to prove that, given time, even the best public servants become corrupted. Some just get there a lot faster than others.

The interviewers questions seemed perfectly reasonable to me and don't really seemed biased to the left or the right. I'm very curious why Chris Dodd has clammed up so tightly.

JEFF and CHR,

Term limits may reduce corruption but they will also reduce knowledge and wisdom, which, like corruption can grow over time.

I think that the solution (which we've seen this year) is that good candidates will produce strong voter response. Current rules make it difficult (until this year almost impossible) to take down an incumbant in congress. A good model to look at is right here at home...the state of CT has enacted a very successful public financing system which disincentivizes large campaign donors who try to buy candidates favor. I think that public financing may be the key to a more open democracy, allowing good candidates a chance against corrupt incumbants.

Agree with him or not, Tom Scott at least knows how politics and government work, which is more than you can say for Ryan or the local personalities at the other talk stations. The interview is good radio: hard to believe the man who held Dodd's feet so effectively to the fire is the one WELI let walk.

Banker, you are right on. I am tired of Dodd and and all the life long politicians. As voters we need to show our dismay and outrage and hold the officials accountable. We are in a fiscal mess and everyone points their fingers at someone else. The last several years the country, state, and majority of cities have been run into the ground and it is from back door deals and fiscal irresponsibility. Hard working taxpayers are now feeling the pain of Mr Dodds (and others) actions. Instead of pointing fingers at parties and deflecting blame, BOTH parties are to blame!

First elected in 1980, Christopher Dodd, the longest-serving U.S. Senator in Connecticut history, announced in a letter to the Federal Election Commission on January 17, 2007 that he was no longer a candidate for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010. This announcement enabled him to transfer contributions to his presidential campaign, and a Dodd spokesman said, "It's a legality that isn't an indication of future plans"

-from 2010 US Senate Election page on Wikipedia.

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?

I'm a Democrat who thinks it's time for Dodd to retire, one way or the other.

The Countrywide mortgage smells, but it ain't the problem.

The problem is that even though he's meant to be our leading Democratic watch-dog, Dodd has instead been in bed with the banks, when he should have been looking out for our consumer interests and the American economy.

Now that Democrats hold Congress and the Presidency, do you think Dodd will take steps to rein in the Credit Card industry? You know those outfits who lend to consumers until they're over their heads, then hike their interest rates to 25% or more.

Nope. Dodd will do nothing. He'll talk a great deal, but how can he take on the banks when they paid for his vanity Presidential run? (and his upcoming re-election bid.)

The question is if any Democrat will have the balls to stand up to Dodd. If not, is there another Ned Lamont in the wings?

PS-- Dodd standing up for Lieberman's bid to remain Chair of Homeland Security is simply unacceptable.

I thought something was fishy when I turned on the radio and found no Tom Scott on his scheduled show. Really surprised at WELI for not airing this interview and will not listen to them or support their advertisers anymore until Tom is back on his own terms.

The Tom Scott and Ryan show signaled a welcome change from canned national syndicated products easily obtained from competing NY stations or direct website access. Could never understand the mentality of dropping local programming from the format several years ago and alienating the listeners, but was elated to have it back. Without a doubt, Tom was the headline act as noted by the greetings and well wishes from virtually all callers as the show ramped up it's audience.

I hope that the suits come to their senses and give Tom his show back.

With a little more investigative background, Scott might have asked a few more questions. Didn't Dodd get two Countrywide mortgages? Quoting the NY Times, June 18, 1980 "Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut said Tuesday that he was aware that Countrywide Financial Corporation had assigned him to a V.I.P. program in 2003 when he refinanced mortgages on his homes in Connecticut and Washington but that he and his wife "assumed" that "it was more of a courtesy thing."

There's a real question as to whether Dodd qualified for two jumbo loans (this was back in 2003 before many folks had heard of "sub-primes"). Would the average borrower with Dodd's financial statement have received the same treatment, e.g., interest rate and other terms? An investigative reporter could take a look at Dodd's publicly available Senator's financial statements and the terms of the mortgages spread out on the land records of the communities in which the real estate is located.

Dodd's been on the Senate Banking Committee since shortly after he took office in 1980. Down through those 28 years, what other bank financing has Dodd benefited from, directly or indirectly? Has he facilitated financing for others whth whom he's had dealings?

A banker/mortgage lender would have a hard time saying "no" to a Senator on the Banking Committee when the good Senator or one of his aides seeks special treatment. Let's just assume the Senator had a home in Norwich he's trying to sell, say to settle a divorce or something. He or his aide might seize the opportunity to call a banker/acquaintance to ask for special treatment for the purchaser in order to facilitate the sale.

Dodd should be run out of town on a rail. Let him disclose all his mortgage documents including the application as requested. This will clearly determine if he got special treatment. Legislation should be passed with a Mandatory 5 year jail sentence for elected officials convicted of any fraud or impropriety while in office. Unfortunetly, after years in office people like Dodd think they are above the law. John Rowland paid the price. Dodd is no exception.

It's unfortunate how far to the left the media has become. This past election is a perfect example of that. Why didn't NBC just say they wanted Obama to win? With the exception of Fox news and a few conservative radio talk shows, the media in this country has become biased to the point that people are tired of it. The New York Times, once a standard for journalism, has become so tainted that it's circulation has dropped dramatically. As far as Dodd is concerned, did anyone expect him to answer to his deplorable behavior. He is a liar like his friend from Mass. and he is going to get away with his crime because reporters like Tom Scott are not going to ask him the tough questions. If Chris Dodd were an honorable man he would admit he was wrong in the mortgage acquisition and take some responsibility for the economic mess that we are in now.

YTDAW,

If it takes an investigative reporter pouring through the land records near to Dodd's propoerty to determine if Dodd was treated like an average borrower, then how would Sen Dodd know that he was getting special treatment? Just becuase he was chair of the Senate Banking Committee for the last 20 months doesn't mean that he knows every statisitc about what is arguably a byzantine system.

Not defending Dodd...just asking becuase theres a lot of historical revisionism going on at the moment. A Republican majority repealed Glass Steagle protections and a Republican majority dramatically deregulated the banking industry.

I tuned in that day and wondered why I heard Sean Hannity at 5:45 pm??

Obviously Clear Channel has some connection to Dodd and were using Ryan to pitch him softballs

Sad to see Tom Scott go...He was the only thinking part of this show, which was good when he was talking. Impossible to listen to the "Ryan Gorman" show. The guy is a total lightweight.

Maybe Tom Scott could push ... Colin McEnroe out of the WTIC afternoon slot

I've had the good fortune to know tom Scott dating back to the days of working to remove tolls on Connecticut highways. While we disagree on MANY issues I have always been impressed with both his personal and intellectual honesty. There is no fake, fraud or phony here...like him or hate him at least you know what he stands for and believes in. Good credentials to be a talk show host or legislator.

From time to time I would catch him and whatever-his-name-is on in the afternoon on his new WELI show. I never quite "got" why Tom needed a sidekick. Tom asked good, smart questions and had a strong command of the state and the region. Not so for the Ryan (?). Not even close.

Here's the real story: a once proud radio station has abdicated its responsibility to serve the public by providing entertaining, insightful and informative programming. I should know, I had the good fortune of working there when we did and when we had the ratings to prove that good local programming works.

Now? Two local hours a day of what can best be called "not even close to being insightful clone of every other wannabe" talkradio. I can't tell you how much I look forward to hearing about who the next temp will be.

Tom may not think so now, but getting "the bullet" might just have been a good thing.

The more I hear from Dodd, the more I am concinved that he needs to be removed from the chairmanship if not his office. Not only is it obvious that he received a special deal (Countrywide confirmed it) but as thers have posted here, he has been the #1 bacnking legislator in the country while all this mess has occured. He is the only senator in the whole country to have more Fannie and Freddie contribution $$s than Obama.

The arguement that the senate committee will bring justice is absurd. Look at the history and the rules. They always get and even number of Dems and Republicans on the committee who almost always vote in a partisan way leading to a deadlock and no substantial action.

And, the argument to let the voters decide has many flaws. First, should we continue to have a crook in charge for 2 years? Second, considering the ridiculous left leaning of this state, all he has to do is win his primary (easy for an incumbent unless they try to be moderate - see Lieberman) and he will have a clear path to holding office until 2016.

And, as long as we are discussing letting voters decide, it seems that CT, based upon the referendum results last Tuesday, sees no value in that.

We need a revolution.

Steve Kalb,

Tom Scott is as rabid as any partisan has ever been. If you listen to what he says, his views seep into almost every word that comes out of his mouth. His venom directed towards Obama had nothing to do with disagreement on issues. He is simply a partisan idealogue, and frankly anyone with that level of "objectivity" quickly becomes tedious and boring to listeners who are really looking for a competitive marketplace of ideas.

Ryan (?) is a lightweight but at least he tries to come at the various positions with some a semblance of open thought.

Dodd's no Democrat, he's one of those damn Progressives. They're all crooks. They have no soul, no center, no remorse; craven Reptiles who would sell their mother for political power.

"Progressive Criminality."

Get used to the concept. Progressives control Congress now. The Democrats are gone. Progressives will never put you first, it's all about them and they're moving on. They like power. They're here to rule, not serve -- just like Christopher Dodd.

Thanks for the story. I was wondering what happened to Tom Scott. The show is dreadful since he was let go. Despite their differences, which were not apparent on air, Gorman and Scott were a good team.

It looks like Dodd's interview has been censored from this website, too. I got an error when trying to download the MP3 of the interview.

Todd is a crook. Period.

Hi. This story went viral, so the server is slow -- we didn't remove the audio. It just may take a few times to get it working when you click on it. Our apologies! We're working on it...

I think members of congress should be paid the average salary of the district they represent.

Chris Doddering is one of the reasons "congress" has an approval rating of about twelve (12) percent. His friendly financing deal with Countrywide is almost as good as Headvent Biden and MBNA (for whom Biden got the Federal credit card interest rate raised to 27.5% "for the working man") He woted for the bailout. Apparently a chunk of it is going to bail out the UAW pension fund into which the "Big Three" are "neglecting" to put in the agreed dough re me.
Hey, they made a deal with the devil, let them work it out. Did the same taxpayers who DEMAND that
state, city, and local employees "give back" pension and medical benefits expect to PAY for what private industry was too gutless to deny the UAW???? Maybe the $70,000 tire installers can kick in a little more THEMSELVES. Don't ask Doddering to help, they (and Obamoron) sold out for the bailout, AND "open" union elections so Toyota, Honda and Nissan workers can be intimidated in voting union (or else). Hey, you
Obamoron lovers can drink koolaid till you gag, that's what going down. Maybe the voters in Connecticut can vote for some REAL change for once. End the Doddering dynasty!

Why the surprise? Dodd is as crooked as his father.

Take Dodd, Reid, Pelosi, and Frank, tie them back to back, tar, feather, and release them 50,000 feet over iran on a diplomatic mission.

That would do more to stabilize the US economy than the 700 billion they have handed out to thier friends.

Unless there's a revolt these guys will never vote in term limits unless they can grandfather themselves in. Jeffery posted exactly what the system should be and how the framers ment it to be.

TERM LIMITS

Deregulation wasn't the issue; the 100% mortgages with interest only payments were.

I heard yesterday that Fannie and Freddie could own up to 31 MILLION bad loans, which is just insane. Frank said Mae/Mac were 'financially sound' and wanted to 'roll the dice' on them more. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Act), FORCED banks to issue loans to people who were credit risks or face penalties and risk restrictions on expansion, because now community activist groups like ACORN could argue the bank didn't help a community and try to restrict their growth. JP Morgan and Chase donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to ACORN prior to their merger because of the CRA and fears that ACORN would oppose the merger (look up the CRA on wiki- they have an extensive set of links which will corroborate this). ACORN has their filthy fingers everywhere; it's as if protection rackets have found a different incarnation in them.

So, what happens when there are millions of loans to people who are considered a high credit risk, the lenders weren't required to put anything down and therefore the mortgage is for 100% of the property's value and then the housing market starts to slide? People leave the homes, they have nothing invested in them so they lose nothing, and the bank is left holding bad debt for more than the property is worth. Welcome to Housing Crisis 2008.

The fact that these bad loans were then packed into securities and traded was the final straw.

This lies at the feet of the Dems almost squarely. I don't like McCain a lot, but he was complaining about this years ago and two years ago the President was on the bandwagon too, but the Dems blocked reform and regulation. The friends of Angelo sweetheart Countrywide deals were to people like Dodd and Schumer, and Obama got the second highest campaign donation from Fannie.

Search the WSJ archives for 'What they said about Fan and Fred' and you'll see what Waters and Frank said about Fannie Mae; I don't recall if they mention that Frank was dating a Fannie exec while on the Banking committee, too.

So spare me the deregulation lecture; it may have played a small part, but the bad debt that came from the government intervention by way of the CRA caused this. The banks were forced to take on bad debt at the point of a gun, and we're all paying the price.

Now a fan of even bigger government (incompetence) is our next President. God help this great country.

I don't get people who don't want professional policians. Do you want a doctor or banker who isn't a professional? It's a job and it's hard. On the other hand, I agree that more transperency as to these type of sweetheart deals is necessary and I would like to see the lobbyists and special interests have less influence. Don't see why this interview wasn't aired.

One of CT's leading "Conservative" voices?!?!?! give it a break Bass....he's one of the ruling elite socialists. I wonder how left you are if he's viewed as conservative.

Dodd has been a sleaze for decades. This happens when politicians aren't held accountable for their actions and lack there of. They should all take a 50% pay decrease and surrender their pensions until the national debt is paid.

Reid, Dodd, Barney Frank and how many more helped create this disaster? It's certainly getting hard to get this one under wraps. Even Obama refuses to come clean on who gave him so much money. Ms Pelosi like the fairy godmother to Democrats

Yipee! let's all celebrate the onset of a new oppressive age where if your voice doesn't conform it will be stomped out.
Yes sir. The Obama predidency. One reason to celebrate the breaking of a racial barrier, and hundreds of reason to despair that Obama will run roughshod over our liberties.

It's a shame about the Tom Scott & Ryan show....I enjoyed listening to them. I've been wondering where Tom has been and have to admit, it's a bit bland now. I don't get the channel as clear as I normally do during the summer months so I guess I'm not missing much.

Thanks for this story. I had enjoyed the Tom Scott portion of this radio show for many months as I drove home from work. Tom is insightful about how things work - even if you don't agree with him. I was glad not to have the Sean Hannity radio show on - who repeats the same arguements over and over and over - - - and is rude to his guests and even to his TV co-host. It's a shame Tom Scott is no longer on. Ryan Gorman seems nice enough, but he is a lightweight and the interest of the show has dropped significantly for me.

I suggest an immediate termination of the special retirement plan for senators. Immediately going forward they should get Social Security and a 401K with match - just like us working people. That should make it easier for senators to leave after 6 or 12 years. They should never think of senator as a career. That is the problem. Professional senators. Crap.

LINLITHGOW,

Nice try...blaming the market breakdown on CRA, ACORN and poor people trying to get mortgages, but unfortunately the truth isn't so easy.

The majority of bad loans were made by institutions that were a product of Republican deregulation and not regulated by CRA.

<a href="http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081110/dreier_atlas&quot; rel="nofollow">http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081110/dreier_atlas&lt;/a&gt;

Democrats ruining the country -- three steps to bailouts ....
(1) Fannie Freddie Fraud bailout -PAST
(2) UAW bailout -PRESENT
(3) liberal state (CA, MA, NY, MI) bailout -FUTURE

Dodd has been dirty for at least 35 years. Gorman wanted Scotts job and blindsided him. Kissies up to Dodd and gets Scotts gig.

And the beat goes on in Left of left Connecticut.

I listened to the interview. Although "Comrade" Dodd is certainly a sleaze who should be voted out at the earliest opportunity, Scott's questioning didn't really skewer him. Dodd's evasions, however, made the interview legitimate news.

WELI and Clear Channel apparently let a local personnel "snit" stop the public from hearing a legitimate news "actuality." That was not in the public interest.

Ryan Gorman appears clearly out of his depth on this one. Seemingly shallow chumps like Gorman are part of the reason local news and public affairs formats are no longer economically viable in much of the country. At least most of the syndicated national hosts are professional enough not to let personality conflicts get in the way of a good story.

Why am I saddened, but not shocked to discover this news? If there was a connection with Dodd and Scott's "removal" then I am truly, truly frightened. Also, I could never understand the pairing of Scott and Ryan as Ryan always seemed out of his league in discussing politics and current events. To dismiss Scott and leave Ryan alone is a management fiasco. As a talk radio listener, it is apparent why local radio doesn't even compare to syndicated talk radio. It is weak. I will have to find another station to enjoy.

"I think members of congress should be paid the average salary of the district they represent."

Amen! That would be much more effective than term limits. Being a Senator is theoretically public service, right?

After 6 years of cramming in with 3 roomies somewhere in the middle of Alexandria or Adams-Morgan and relying on Metrobus, they would be out of there anyways.

The flipside is that you would somehow have to carefully regulate lobbyists, who would try to exploit the poor chaps.

Our system of government has been hijacked by the professional politicians, the American people are ignorant of anything that does not effect them directly, they work, tend their families, play golf, change the oil in their car and have little time to keep track of the politicians and their dirty tricks. The only way America is going to get rid of the "professional" politician is to NOT RE-ELECT THEM! The new face will do all right once in office, all he or she needs to do is read the Constitution and follow the "script."

Oh my god, that interview is exactly what journalism is about. It was tough, respectful and fair. I majored in broadcast journalism and worked in broadcasting for several years. How does this host get fired and the producer takes over his show? What the hell is this station manager thinking?

Chris Dodd stood with Daniel Ortega and the communist Sandinista National Liberation Front in 1990 when Ortega was defeated by Violeta Barrios de Chamorro in an election where people literally risked their lives and stood up against the Sandinista thugs. A sitting US Senator rooting for the communists to win. Pathetic then, pathetic now.

How can weli management be so dumb!Tom Scott has a great radio talent.Ryan is an amature.At best he sounds like an immature disc jockey.Will no longer listen during this time slot.

Bring back the old WELI..It was much better..
as far as Dodd it's time to vote him out...

Scott got screwed.

I can't get the link to work though.

By the way Paul, I used to think you were a hosebag. Not so much anymore.

I don't think its kosher for Sen Dodd to withhold his financial records becuase at a minimum, it gives an appearance of impropriety which is almost as bad as impropriety itself....

However...for Republicans (and anyone else stupid enough to listen to them) to claim that Chris Dodd and Barney Frank brought down our entire financial system in a period of 20 months (from the swearing in of the Democratic majority to the Lehman Brothers collapse) is absurd. The foundation for this collapse was built by a Republcian congressional majority who pushed for repeal of depression era Glass Steagle protections in 1999 and spent the next 8 years deregulating the banking industry.

Hey Republicans...look for demons all you want, but you better look in the mirror because you own this one.

Dodd is perfect evidence as to why it is bad to leave these people in office for so long.

I always liked to listen to Tom Scott..to bad he is gonw again he does not speak with a forked tongue....i will miss him

In their hysterical analyses of the situation, conservatives screech about Dodd's chairmanship of the banking committee, but conveniently never mention the fact that Republicans Richard Shelby and Phil Gramm were the chairmen of the same committee during the entire duration of the housing bubble.

Both of them also enjoyed the backing of a Republican President and a Republican House.

The ridiculous toxic loans that created the scandal were already in place well before Dodd took over in January 2007, and conservative Republicans obviously are to blame for this disaster.

Re: Dodd and Countrywide.

The reports are that Dodd got a 0.375% discount on one loan and a 0.25% discount on another, in 2003.

It seems to me that anyone with even a casual knowledge of the mortgage market should know that such "discounts" were routine, at a time when people with no income and/or lousy credit were getting bags of money thrown at them to buy houses.


<a href="http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/6162008_Friends_of_Mozilo.asp&quot; rel="nofollow">http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/6162008_Friends_of_Mozilo.asp&lt;/a&gt;

"The three men were alleged to be participants in a special program for "friends" of Mozilo that awarded discounts and waived fees for those friends. Portfolio, citing internal Countrywide documents, said that the company made two loans to Dodd in 2003, shaving three-eights of a point off of a $506,000 loan to refinance a townhouse in Washington. The discount saved Dodd about $2,000 in interest payment. A second loan to refinance a house in Connecticut was written at a quarter point off the going rate, saving the Senator about $700 a year."

Sorry, JMC, discounts are not routinely given! they get given to "friends" recognized because they'll help out legislatively or otherwise.

As for Glass-Steagall, Robn, (not "Glass-Steagle"), according to Wilkipedia:

"The second Glass-Steagall Act, passed on 16 June 1933, and officially named the Banking Act of 1933, introduced the separation of bank types according to their business (commercial and investment banking), and it founded the Federal Deposit Insurance Company for insuring bank deposits.[citation needed]

Literature in economics usually refers to this simply as the Glass-Steagall Act, since it had a stronger impact on US banking regulation.

So far as I know, Robn, the FDIC is still around.

The second part of the Act was effectively repealed something over a decade ago when the Federal Reserve Board allowed Citicorp CEO Sandy Weil to bring Travelers Corp under Citicorp's umbrella in technical violation of Glass-Steagall. The separation part was repealed a few years later.

Again according to Wilkipedia:
The bill that ultimately repealed the Act was introduced in the Senate by Phil Gramm (R-TX) and in the House of Representatives by James Leach (R-IA) in 1999. The bills were passed by a 54-44 vote along party lines with Republican support in the Senate[8] and by a 343-86 vote in the House of Representatives[9]. Nov 4, 1999: After passing both the Senate and House the bill was moved to a conference committee to work out the differences between the Senate and House versions. The final bipartisan bill resolving the differences was passed in the Senate 90-8-1 and in the House: 362-57-15. Without forcing a veto vote, this bipartisan, veto proof legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 12, 1999

So, now, for instance, Goldman-Sachs and Morgan-Stanley can become Bank Holding Companies & thereby submit themselves to Fed regulation, incidentally making themselves avaiable for $billions from TARP.

He accused Dodd of mortgage fraud and demanded Dodd prove him wrong. How does he know this about Dodd? He doesn't say. How can he broadcast that? Why are you broadcasting that?

there are a few things here that don't make sense.

YTDAW,

Thanks for the spell check. My point is that Gramm Lilly Bleach removed depression era controls on speculation in the financial industry ...and here we are.

The act failed the first time around on a partisan vote and only passed when Republicans promised not to kill CRA (which, contrary to popular opinion, oversaw a very small percentage of institutions repsponsible for current mortgage defaults.)

AM I WRONG?

is it ethical journalism to accuse someone of mortgage fraud and demand he prove you wrong?

I think Dodd's mortgage is a joke and am disgusted by it, but I don't think a blatant accusation like that is proper. Can the NHI so much as comment on its decision to broadcast an interview that does this? Mortgage fraud? Does he have any proof of this? He said, uncategorically that he things he committed mortgage fraud. I've never seen anything like it. No wonder the station didn't air it. It was irresponsible.

Kudos to him for his passion, for caring, for refusing to throw softball questions, but it got the best of him. he went too far. that question phrased as a direct uncategorical accusation was simply unacceptable.

It's time for Dodd to go . Tom Scott has my vote if he choosed to run against Dodd in the midterm elections.

ROBN,
The point is that regulators during the Clinton era allowed Citycorp to take over Travelers which effectively buried Glass-Steagall. Only thing left was to formally repeal it.

Depression era controls were outdated and too weak to restrain the rampant speculation and leverage going on. Congress did not exercise its oversight responsibility to replace antiquated rules with new legislation restricting speculation and leverage. Hedge funds for example should have been regulated. Both Clinton's regulators and Congress failed in allowing banks to take on much too much leverage and to pay management plus traders 50% of the profit made with mega-investors' (e.g. Yale) money.

Now that the horse is out, Dodd's crying "well I didn't know the barn door was open." Nonsence, he was hand in glove with the investment and commercial bankers-- all feathering their own nests and incidentally destroying investors' wealth.

YTDAW,

I think that you're giving the Democrats too much credit. My point is that 1999 was post-Lewinsky and the Republican controlled congress had effectively neutralized the White Houses ability to do anything, much less exercise a veto.

If Dodd's guilty of something, let's find out, but I'm looking longer and harder at his predecessors, who ruthlessly controlled all legislation for 6 straight years...the Tom Delay years.

Poor Tom, they threw him under the bus for what everybody was always doing. Heck, Rep. Giammo held up the development of cable television around here for years until his investment (read demand for service) matured. Still, they must've thought that he was weak or vulnerable or unimportant and they needed someone Caucasian to sacrifice to appease those incensed by the censure of the leading Black elective official, Adam Clayton Powell. So, Poor Tom got the axe.

Chris, I think he has another plan. He's going to skate under this ethics question right into some other sort of public office. Remember, he tried to help skuttle Lieberman for them by endorsing Lamont. He helped muddy the waters of the Presidential nomination with an obviously Quixotic appearance. He's been a real party boy and he'll get his reward out of elective office, which he has already foresworn. He's already groomed his replacement.

This kid isn't about to let himself be thrown under a bus, like his old man. He paid off the debt to the spirit of Powell, in spades.

Now, it is our job to stop electing and re-electing these what so many of you call "professional politicians" when, now, they might more accurately be called "inherited aristocracy." Come on, Chelsea Clinton in '24?

How many generations of Bushes and Kennedys and O'Neills and Rowlands do we need before we see that the answer isn't term limits but voting regularly and responsibly, speaking our concerns diligently to our elective officials and, then, again, holding them accountable in their next election? It is worth it to keep the good ones, even with the odd chance of corruption. Chris has done some good work, too. Keep score!

I have read through all of the postings and agree with many of them. I have been saying for over a year now we need to establish a grass roots initiative to limit the number of terms via a constitutional amendment, (not the length of the terms)of our congress. I understand and have listened too the argument that it takes time to learn what is needed to be able to serve effectively. I agree this should be taken into account but the number of terms should definately be limited. I have considered whether two or three terms would solve the problem and keep into consideration the experience factor. Three terms is 18 years for our senators! On the other hand, how many of us in the public don't know our jobs after six years? In fact we would be fired if we were incompetent after a year, So why give our congress so much more time to become proficient professionals?

I truly believe our founding fathers never conceived we would eventually have these professional politicians. Another contributor mentioned the family "dynasties", and yes, I do think you will see Chelsea in politics.

Unfortunately,these families also have the money to spend and compete against the normal person who tries to run for office. Also the money, consider Hilary researched for an upcoming open senate seat and "moved" there, New York. In Florida, Congressional district three is so Gerrymanered, there continually a house representative that has a "professional" who essentially has done nothing but be an embarassment when she opens her mouth.

Anyway, there are numerous things to be considered but I do believe we need to consider the grass roots effort to limit the number of successive terms and then require that at least two terms be skipped before a person could run again. Lets face it those in power are not going to limit any of that power themselves.

Dodd, Frank, Johnson, Obama, Pelosi, Reid...they're all slimy people who are in on this garbage. This was brought up long long ago and the liberals ignored it.

There should definately be terms limits to these congressmen. There are Senators in Washington that are closing in on 90 years old!!! A convicted felon, who could be re-elected to the senate (Stevens), who has been in the senate since about the time Alaska been a state, same holds with one of the Hawaiin senators. Senator Byrd has been in Congress since thhe 50's!!! And lets not forget Kennedy. Our congressmen have a re-election rate that the Soviets would have envied.
I also feel that congressman's pay should be linked to their re-election as opposed to them voting for it or a "for show" vote against it after it's too late to do anything about it.

As for the press, this election cycle has been nothing but an embarrassment. The media has been so far in the tank for the Dem's it has been unbelievable. If the dems wish to enact the "fairness doctrine" then it should include the television networks as well. But it won't because the television networks have been an extension of the democratic party for years.

I have a solution. Impeach congress and the senate
get rid off everybody. because no one in office is working for the betterment of the American people.Instead they are lineing their own pockets, and only work to improve thier own life,with our money. You can never get a straight answer from any one just a lot of double talk Iam tired of the Dems and the Rep. blaming each other instead doing their job. It seems all they do is hold meetings were they seem to figure out how to screw the American Tax Payer.

I agree with Banker. I also believe that everyone who has been directly involved with the main lever of control such as CEOs to treasury officials to congressional leaders should be held accountable and brought before a judicial committee of some sort and should step down. This is worse than "Watergate" scandal!! I'm not sure why this isn't being publicized more!! This scandalous should be posted on every major newspaper and every major news station. Millions of Americans lost billions of dollars in retirement/college funds. Thousands of individuals are losing their jobs...This is outrageous....

Dodd is lying
Do you want proof? look up Robert Fienberg or friends of Angelo
Robert was his loan officer in the V.I.P. department. at Countrywide

Is there anyone around who still takes Tom Scott seriously. He is a knee-jerk, right wing menace of the worst kind. This is attack journalism of the worst kind, which calls up memories of Scott's brand of coded, racist, anti-Semitic appeals which he used to fire up mobs. Scott is purely trying to incite Dodd. He dredges up the memory of Dodd's father and compares what Dodd has done to what his father did. Low, low blow. He says the Senate Ethics Committee is a paper tiger that will do nothing and he deems to judge Dodd guilty of mortgage fraud. Dodd's only mistake so far has been to try to engage in meaningful dialogue with this Stormtrooper wannabe. Thank God Scott never made it beyond the State Senate.

This is yet another example of how the liberal media influences public opinion.

I listened to the interview intently, happy to "hear" a crooked politician squirming in his sit. My hat is off to this courageous man, Tom Scott, who was unwilling to allow another greasy slippery lifelong politician off the hook. Now if only someone had the cojones to corner Barney Frank...

It is also interesting to note how the spineless liberals love to hear about Senator Stevens get roasted but when conservatives apply the same pressure to one of theirs, they cry foul.

It's the old liberal double standard of the right to public discourse except when applied to their wacky belief system. You want proof...how about the riots against the religious for exercising their god given right to free speech and their right to vote and defeat Prop 8!

Broadcast his interview when he resigns !!

$14 mil from AIG and banks while he is banking Chair??

How about an audit of his finances?

4% mortgage for his home in Ireland?

How much will you people stand for?

Keep Dodd, then don't complain

The media will decide what information we are allowed to have from now on. This isnt about public service anymore, it's about taking control and having them decide what we should think.

This just goes to demonstrate that mainstream media are in bed with our politicians. They refuse to ask them hardball questions. Look at the CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) connection. Chrissy Dodd is a CFR member, and so is the management of most of our major media. Those who aren't actually members, seem to go along with their globalist, special interest agenda.

Chrissy apparently feels he is entitled to special treatment. And WELI (and Clear Channel) apparently don't feel anyone should question him about it.

Mainstream media is our Ministry of Propaganda. They continue to promote politicians who violate their oath to the Constitution, and the civil rights of the American people. Thank God for the Internet.