What Does the Future Hold for Dodd?
by Christine Stuart | Dec 1, 2010 12:40am
(3) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Congress
U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd says he has a lot of soul searching to do as he figures out the next chapter in his life. From University of Connecticut president to Motion Picture Association lobbyist, numerous career possibilities have been mentioned next to his name. But Dodd has dismissed them for now and says he will be taking his time.
In assessing his future, Dodd said he has spoken to former colleagues about how they handled their exit from the public stage.
Some of those he’s talked to include former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and the former Republican Governor of Tennessee Lamar Alexander.
Having made his own decision to retire instead of being asked to leave may have a lot to do with how he handles his future, Dodd said. But regardless of how he exits the Senate stage he knows he will have difficulty adjusting to private life.
He said every one of his former colleagues has told him “It’s awkward and you’ll get impatient and you’ll wonder if anybody’s interested,” said Dodd. “And the phone doesn’t ring and it’s not because people are angry it’s just different.”
He said they told him he’ll be better off not rushing around to fill the void . He said Alexander moved his family to Australia for six months and wrote a book, while he doesn’t plan on going to that extreme, he said he will be taking some time off.
His two children, 9-year-old Grace and 6-year-old Christina, are still young enough to keep up with their studies online and a vacation may be in order.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. I need the time and space to really think about what’s important,” Dodd said.
Connecticut’s next U.S. Senator, Richard Blumenthal, will be sworn in Jan. 5. Blumenthal was watching his predecessor ‘s parting speech from the Senate gallery Tuesday.
Following Dodd’s speech, which was described as moving by his current and former staff members who came prepared with tissues, Blumenthal said Dodd leaves behind a wonderful legacy from Wall Street reform to tobacco regulation.
“What showed today was how he could reach across party lines to be a partisan in the sense of a passion, but still cross the aisle and enlist bipartisan support for things that really matter,” Blumenthal said, adding that Dodd has given him some advice as he prepares himself to take office, but “none that I can share,” Blumenthal said.
Dodd celebrated his final Senate speech Tuesday evening with a reception at the Library of Congress, which was well attended by Connecticut residents and Senate colleagues.
Click here to read our earlier story about Dodd’s valedictory speech and how he hopes to be remembered.
Tags: Dodd, Blumenthal, Senate, legacy
(3) Comments
posted by: hawkeye | December 1, 2010 11:43am
Christopher Dodd should embrace a long-delayed retirement.
posted by: Disgruntled | December 1, 2010 1:23pm
Well. Sad to say the future does not include jail time.Probably more like cocktails with Angelo Mozilo.Business as usual.
Just as Joe Lieberman is Connecticuts Phil Gramm one can only compare Dodd to Alphonse D’Amato. Try as he will to rewrite history (all our representatives seem to do it) Chris,like his father,leaves office with a dark cloud over his head.
Alan Cranston.
Dennis DeConcini.
John McCain.
Donald Riegle.
John Glenn.
They,and many more,had their moments,but the damage they did to our society far outweighed any “good” that they try to sell us.
All tried to sell us a myth of good government,like the King-of-Spin,Ronald Regan,and failed for the most part.
Retreat to one of your properties Chris and your young wife. PLEASE just go and stay away!
posted by: hawkeye | December 3, 2010 11:02am
Disgruntled:
Don’t compare Sen. Chris Dodd with Sen. John McCain, “as he couldn’t hold his jock-straps!”
Try comparing Dodd with another brother, in “Democratic Deficit Spending Whiz,” White House occupant, Pres. Barack Obama!
You were obviously careless in your comparison, as you were apparently, too Disgruntled?