Dodd’s the Dude!

Here in Connecticut we have two Democratic Senators: Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman.

(Lieberman is not a real Democrat as his devout religious beliefs have caused him to side with the religious right in theory and practice.)

Chris Dodd, however, has consistently embodied the very best in political minds, actions and deeds. He has often made me proud to live in this state and he’s got mucho charisma and zero baggage.

That’s why when I read that he is going to run for President I wanted to open up a bottle of champagne. So what it was 6 AM and I hadn’t even had a cup of coffee?

Yes, his name is not a household word and yes, he has no war chest to speak of – but he’s got that “thing” that can make a candidate win. He’s the total package.

Because of Republican chicanery, deceit, lies and hypocrisy, I truly will vote for any Democratic candidate that runs, including Mickey Mouse. That’s how fed up I am with the direction of my country and the desire to lift the United States up and away from the muck and mire brought in by Bush and his disciples. But like any voter, I wanted to have a candidate I could believe in.

I voted for Kerry – but I knew others would see him as stiff and unsuitable. I voted for Gore but knew he too had that stiff look that people find off-putting. I would vote for Hillary but let’s face it: she has a large group of people who hate her with a passion – no good reason but lots and lots of passion. Obama? Edwards? Not yet.

Each candidate discussed as possibly running would make me think: can he or she play in Peoria?

Christopher Dodd can do that. He’s passed my litmus test: He can play in Peoria.

He is an eloquent speaker but a down-to-earth guy. He’s got Yale and Harvard smarts but he graduated from Providence College and the University of Louisville. He’s a nice guy, but beware do not confuse his kindness with weakness. He’s got spine and lots of it.

He can reach the voters of the coasts as any of the above people can, but what he can also do is get into the hearts of the heartland and get votes there too. He can become president and he would lead our country with dignity and respect, something that’s been missing for far too long.

And, if he wins, he will make every political cartoonist in the world extremely happy. His ebony eyebrows and ivory hair are not easily forgotten but easy to lampoon.

And that will be all that can be lampooned about Chris Dodd. How nice for a change.

Change.

Just that word is clearing the black clouds of the current administration out of my mind.

There’s hope.

There’s a candidate: Chris Dodd.

Hallelujah!