(Editor's Note: Dodd dropped out of the presidential race for the Democratic nomination, following a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, 2007, where he got less than 1 percent of the delegates. See a video of his explanation on his campaign Web site. )
Abortion
Scored 100 percent with NARAL, the political watchdog group for abortion rights, but his pro-choice stance was questioned because of the vote casted in favor of Chief Justice Roberts in 2005 who constitutionally upheld the ban on partial-birth abortions in 2007. He voted no on banning partial-birth abortions and believes that abortions should be safe and legal for women ... more.
Environment and Energy
He proposes a 14-point energy plan. He emphasizes the corporate carbon tax that will impose a fine on big business polluters. Fines collected will fund research and development in renewable energy technology. He would not only raise standards for fuel and energy efficient products, but reduce the cost of these products as well ... more.
Foreclosures
As Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Dodd has been involved with the subprime mortgage crisis longer than other presidential candidates. On his Senate home-page, Dodd announced his invite to the CEOs from the top five subprime lenders to answer questioning from his committee in March. At the hearing, Dodd called the lending practices of the companies “unconscionable and deceptive.” But he placed real blame on the Federal Reserve Board for not being the watchdog that it should have been for Americans. As a result of his hearings, Dodd was able to get $100 million to put toward foreclosure prevention. His plan as president to provide a safer market for prospective home buyers includes stabilizing the mortgage ad financial markets to increase opportunities for Americans to become homeowners and protecting homeowners from predatory lenders. In addition Dodd plans to reform the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and credit agencies. ... more.
Health Care
Within the first 90 days of administration, he would gather fundamental groups involved with health care including businesses, providers and government to put into action affordable health care. Two basic tenants of his health care plan include coverage to all children and providing catastrophic health insurance. In order to push universal health care, insurance agencies must first undergo reform. Through a reform, Americans would have access to affordable health care provided in the form of a buy-in plan reflecting that of the ... more.
Immigration
He strongly opposes issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants on grounds that it is a privilege to have one, but supports providing health care to illegal immigrants because of the affect that health has on the public. He is in favor of a comprehensive immigration reform that would offer path to citizenship for the illegal immigrants already in the U.S. in exchange for fines, back taxes and other criteria ... more.
Iraq
In 2002, he voted to invade Iraq, but openly admits to having made a "mistake." He emphasizes diplomacy over any other plan of action. It is time to hand over leadership of Iraq to the Iraqi people. America's resources are not enough to continue military occupation. A year-long mission would successfully bring troops out of Iraq. Post Iraq-involvement includes initiating direct negotiation with the entire Middle East and holding a summit with the countries in the region ... more.
Taxes
Dodd does not have a portion of his Web site devoted to providing his general stance on taxes. But based on his voting record while in the Senate, Dodd has been in support of a strong progressive tax. The National Taxpayers Union gave Dodd a 15 percent rating on votes affecting tax cuts and gave him the label of “Big Spender” on tax votes. He does not favor repealing the estate tax, also called the death tax, but he does favor moderating it to avoid losing all the revenue it generates. Dodd opposed the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts and would eliminate them for the upwardly wealthy and, in turn, provide incentives for the middle-income bracket. He also calls for establishing tax-deferred homeowner savings accounts.
As part of his environmental plan, Dodd has called for a corporate carbon tax that would tax businesses on their carbon dioxide emissions ... more
Yucca Mountain
Sen. Chris Dodd has supported making Yucca Mountain the nation’s nuclear waste repository, but as a Democratic Presidential candidate, Dodd is not in favor of such a move. A speech dated July 9, 2002, and posted on Dodd’s Senate Web site indicated his approval and plan to vote in favor of President Bush’s 2002 proposal to make Yucca Mountain a national nuclear waste repository. Within Dodd’s speech, he made clear that his vote to move forward with Yucca Mountain was not one that gave a free ticket for Congress to transport the waste, but instead was one that ensured that the proposal received sufficient scientific research. But amidst Sen. Hillary Clinton’s July 2007 prompt for a Senate hearing regarding Yucca Mountain, Dodd solidified his position as an anti-Yucca Mountain presidential candidate at the opening of his Las Vegas campaign headquarters. ... more
— Las Vegas Sun intern Jenna Kohler contributed to this report.
