WSJ: Put Dodd on the witness stand
posted at 10:45 am on October 10, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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With Congress grilling Wall Street executives over the financial collapse, why not have some of the real culprits testify in their investigations? One of them is close at hand; in fact, he’s pretending to lead the investigation while really being one of its best targets. Senator Chris Dodd took massive amounts in political contributions from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Countrywide, while securing sweetheart deals from that same lender, all while supposedly providing the oversight that somehow missed the rotten struts under the entire subprime market. The Wall Street Journal wonders why Dodd’s asking questions rather than answering them:
Former Lehman Brothers CEO Dick Fuld was under oath Monday when he was grilled on Capitol Hill about his role in the current financial meltdown. But if Members really want to understand the credit mania, they should also call Chris Dodd.
The Connecticut Senator has been out front denouncing the “companies that form the foundation of our financial markets,” for “their insatiable appetite for risk.” He has also decried “reckless, careless and sometimes unscrupulous actors in the mortgage lending industry” and he has proclaimed that “American taxpayers deserve to know how we arrived at this moment.” To that end, we propose he take the stand — under oath.
Dodd should get expelled first for his conflict of interest in accepting his sweetheart loans from Countrywide in the “Friends of Angelo” program. Dodd now claims he never knew that he saved thousands of dollars in lower interest rates and fees, but Countrywide’s loan officer, Robert Feinberg, scoffs at that notion. He personally discussed the loans with Dodd, as he did with other FOAs, to make sure he understood the bargain he was getting.
That was the entire point of the program, as Feinberg points out for the extraordinarily clueless. Why cut Dodd a break and lose extra profit if Dodd was unaware of the deal? It wasn’t intended to be a secret, but to butter up policymakers and watchdogs. Jim Johnson at Fannie Mae got millions in FOA loans while he was supposed to keep an eye on the quality of Countrywide loans he was buying. Jamie Gorelick served on the Fannie Mae board and also got an FOA loan.
Dodd sold out the American taxpayer for a few thousand dollars and a boatload of campaign contributions, and then blocked the kind of reform that would have prevented this collapse. Dodd needs to start answering questions rather than serving as an Inquisitor to Wall Street execs, and he should be doing it from the status of an ex-Senator.
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Agreed. Im not expecting it to happen since Pelosi doesnt want a witch hunt.
becki51758 on October 10, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Screw that! All Dodd would do is plead the 5th. I want to see Dodd, Frank, and some of these CEOs frog marched into the DOJ in the mother of all perp walks.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 10:49 AM
So your saying that witches don’t hunt for witches?
Dasher on October 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Amen, Ed. What you said. Will it happen? No, because Dodd has a (D) after his name, and is therefore immune.
*sigh*
Vanceone on October 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM
It’s not a “witch hunt” when there is real culpability. Fact of the matter is that any real investigation would lead to Democrats being asked some very uncomfortable questions- starting with Frank and Dodd.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Oh Yeah!!!! Put them all on. Dodd and have Barney Frank on deck. Who cares what Pelosi wants? It’s our country!!!! Do the bidding of the American People.
bloggless on October 10, 2008 at 10:51 AM
There’s just something funny about the phrasing of that ending. :)
She knows it would be a BIG looser with the electorate to know how closely tied the Dems are to this problem. Exactly why McCain and every other Republican or independent running for office needs to be screaming this from the pulpit at every chance.
Get it done. They need to be in the Minority.
Marine_Bio on October 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
If there is blame to spread around.. it should definitely be on Congress head. Barney Frank, Maxine Waters, Chris Dodd, and many others.
Dasher on October 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
This witch hunt against wall-street is nonsense. If you leave kindergartners with paint and ice cream, and you come back and the room is wrecked, who do you blame?
Bernanke, Paulson, Dodd and Frank all need to be on the stand. They’re the guardians.
lodge on October 10, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Yes, though we will hardly be able to make out his words.
carbon_footprint on October 10, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I believe Dodd and Frank can claim to be exempt from the law, since they are members of congress. Maybe now we can rewrite that section of code.
Vashta.Nerada on October 10, 2008 at 10:54 AM
If it happens, get the popcorn and beer ready. That would be “Must See” TV for us unedjumacated folks.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 10, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Come on, Michelle! Can’t you organize a protest march in DC to get press coverage? I’d love to see some signs like: “Dodd – Resign Now!”, or “Barney Frank – Criminal.”
Vashta.Nerada on October 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Probably. They might “speech and debate” clause.
Hell, if the detestable Jack Murtha can get away with saying sh!t……
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM
In a just world, that would happen. But what’s more likely to happen, just like Jamie Gorelick and the 9/11 Commission, Dodd will be asking the questions instead of answering them.
Tony737 on October 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
It will happen if we demand it…she buckled under the oil deal.
If she is threatened to lose her position, or Reid is afraid of losing his position, the Pelosi and friends will fold like a cheap suit.
This is now the call McCain/Palin should be taking up. Why only “executives” and not leaders are under oath.
right2bright on October 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I thought the same thing…she is the biggest witch Ive seen in quite awhile. :)
I do agree that they all should be made to testify..they are all culpable. And yes..Republicans need to be mad and push for an investigation into Congressional Democrats.
becki51758 on October 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
While they are at it, they need to indict Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson and Gorelick and any other Fannie/Freddie exec that took part in the book cooking in order to line their own pockets.
digitalintrigue on October 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Dude, investigations of congress are RAAAAAACIST. Didn’t you listen to Barney Frank?
Abby Adams on October 10, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Ya good luck with that one.
boomer on October 10, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I want people in jail for this fiasco.
Geronimo on October 10, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Most corrupt congress ever.
Hoodlumman on October 10, 2008 at 10:58 AM
string ‘em all up!!!
a timely reason to vote in a Rep. majority.
jimmer on October 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
No one is exempt from breaking the law, they may hide, but not exempt.
And taking “payola” is not covered by their “immunity”. The best they can do is take the 5th.
We aren’t talking about decisions, we are talking about being payed off, taking money, quid pro quo.
right2bright on October 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
To paraphrase Pogo: “We have met the witches and they are us.”
I live in CT–maybe I should go trick-or-treating with a Grim Reaper sickle and a Dodd mask.
Steve Z on October 10, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Ed,
I would go a couple better –
1) All members of the banking committee are hereby discharged.
2) A citizens panel is convenend. Its purpose is to determine negligence and recommended censure and loss of seniority as appropriate.
3) A new panel of the banking committee be selected who MUST prove they they have no conflicts to be so empaneled.
That should be the minimum.
Dr. Dog on October 10, 2008 at 11:00 AM
(Probable) Response from Dodd: “I plead the 5th.”
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM
So, just skip over her, and investigate the other dems.
Vashta.Nerada on October 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM
hahaha So I am in Pa..should I trick or treat in a Jack Murtha mask?
becki51758 on October 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM
No D will ever be put on the hot seat over this because if people really ever learned it was their fault the O would lose in a landslide an they can’t have that no matter what it costs us the US taxpayers that give them their job’s and salaries to begin with,god forbid they should do what they were hired to do.
tee866 on October 10, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Dodd should be run out of office.
Terrye on October 10, 2008 at 11:02 AM
This is fun stuff! I called Barney Frank’s office this morning to ask when he was going to resign form Congress. The aide who answered the phone hung up on me. Thinking that maybe my cell phone just dropped the call, I called back and asked “did you just hang up on me?” tho which the aide responded “I sure did” and hung up on me again.
Call the crook @ 202-225-5931 and ask the same question.
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Madam Speaker had a few comments similar to that in the past.
What were they? Hmmmmm…….
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 10, 2008 at 11:03 AM
We all need to be yelling…Im mad as hell,and Im not going to take it anymore!!
becki51758 on October 10, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Rep. Rahm Emanuel served on the Board of Fannie or Freddie. What kind of deal did he get?
danking70 on October 10, 2008 at 11:04 AM
*channeling Obi-One Kenyaobi*
Nothing to see here, folks. These aren’t the culprits you are looking for. They can go about their business. Move along…move along…
ManlyRash on October 10, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I’ll bite – and pass this to all my friends.
Vashta.Nerada on October 10, 2008 at 11:05 AM
vashta writes: “I believe Dodd and Frank can claim to be exempt from the law”
Now there’s a new concept! Hitherto I had been operating under the assumption everybody is personally liable at law for his/her criminal acts.
While “intent” is indeed an underlying prerequisite for the commission of a crime, “intent” can be shown through a reckless disregard of the facts as they have been presented to you, together with a reckless failure to act (or not act)when you knew (or should have known) you had a duty to act (or not act) under the given circumstances.
I’ll let you good folk figure out if the above applies in any fashion to a lot more demo politicians than merely Dodd and Frank.
alwyr on October 10, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Isn’t this a Jamie Gorelick deja vu moment? Or doesn’t this woman have her footprints in this crime scene too?
Rovin on October 10, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I feel helpless. I cannot believe the mess we’re in regarding the financial crisis, the almost-nearly-stolen election, the death of true journalism and the MSM. I’m just sick today.
It just makes me want to spit in their faces and shake the living $hit out of the entire lot of them.
Oink on October 10, 2008 at 11:08 AM
They actually took my call. ‘Barney has no intention of resigning’. I pointed out that his idiocy cost us a couple of trillion dollars, and the response was ’so what?’ He asked if I had anything else to say, and I asked to be put on the list of those who demand his resignation – Aide said ‘ok’.
Vashta.Nerada on October 10, 2008 at 11:08 AM
The truth is the only way to get this resolved. For way too long people have hidden behind their party and soft liberal lies. Fwanks claims he is helping the poor get homes while he is lining his and his male lover’s pockets. Shine the light on him and the rest of these crooks.
Americans have to take back their country now since it is starting to crack at the foundations. If we wish to leave our children and future generations with what has been earned by hard work and blood, action must take precedence over PC nonsense. The people hiding behind PC are the ones trying to destroy this country by bringing it down to their own pathetic level. The robbery of this nation’s resources by the Democrats has got to stop now. This election is the time to turn it around.
Fwanks should be impaled, but he would get too much enjoyment out of it so just kick the bum out of office.
Hening on October 10, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I have a question, but it’s not for Barney Frank. It’s for all the idiot voters in Massachusetts who keep re-electing the damn fool. When are they going to wake up? Frank isn’t smart enough to know when his own lover is running a prostitution ring out of their home, but he is smart enough to be overseeing our banking system?
What’s it going to take for you Massachusetts voters to get rid of this corrupt moron?
AZCoyote on October 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM
If Dodd, Frank, et al would just come forward and say something like “We were wrong. In trying to do the right thing for lower income Americans and helping them achieve the American dream we made some mistakes. We used faulty assumptions and were unable to forsee the unintended consequences of our actions…” Then they should recuse themselves from any involvement in the rescue and resign from the chairs of their respective committes. It would likely then disappear as an issue for them. As long as they continue to deny their involvment and refuse to acknowledge their role in this fiasco they will remain in the hot seat.
Of course there is no honor among thieves so they will continue doing what they are now doing.
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM
What makes us think that these politicians are to be treated like the rest of us? They are elite. They are untouchable. They are wise. They are the great leaders. They are the crooks and dopes who stole our retirements and kid’s college funds. And they have the nerve to ask US to PAY health insurance and clothing allowance for people who drink, smoke, make babies they can not affort, have unprotected sex and just wait for the next handout?????????
bloggless on October 10, 2008 at 11:12 AM
How does one start a recall or impeach Dodd and Frank and any others?
albill on October 10, 2008 at 11:12 AM
These rat bastard scumbags should all do time. Theives and liars all. Vote them all out.
ronsfi on October 10, 2008 at 11:13 AM
You want to see some confidence restored? Publicly destroy a few of these jerkoffs, including a few pols, and let the rest of the crowd who might try something stupid know that they will suffer the same fate.
Part of the market problems is that the same fools who created the mess are in charge of fixing it, what does that say to investors?
Bishop on October 10, 2008 at 11:13 AM
but first Nancy wants one more look at Abu Grade torture…..
SDarchitect on October 10, 2008 at 11:14 AM
You know, it really is not “fun”. There are people who have lost a lot of money. Barney Frank needs to resign so that the healing may begin. Chris Dodd, too.
bloggless on October 10, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I meant harassing Barney by calling his office and asking when he would resign.
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Despite their self aggrandized opinions of themselves, Dodd, Frank, and Gorelick are nothing but White Trash.
They should get stiffer sentences than the Government gave Skilling, Ebbers, and Kozlowski because of their abuse of their Government power.
If Bush wants to save a shred of his legacy he needs to get on board with prosecuting these Gidrools now.
there it is on October 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM
What’s the difference between what Dodd and Franks have done and Duke Cunningham? Favorable loan rates and large donations aren’t equal to antiques and house boats? At least Cunningham’s law breaking didn’t rock the world economy. More double standards I don’t understand.
Cindy Munford on October 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Name those names, Mac, call them out and demand a resignation and you will instantly gain how many millions of votes?
The people want a scalp or two, give it to them and you will win.
Bishop on October 10, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Off the topic here, but none the less salient.
In the local paper today (The Journal Gazette- in Mattoon Illinois) inside the State and Local News section:
And now this morning, Obama just happens to be quoting FDR’s “We have nothing to fear….”
Am I just paranoid, or is this an organized and concerted effort between the “grass roots” and the Obama camp?
FiveWays on October 10, 2008 at 11:17 AM
The line is busy. Must be working! These corrupt theives can only be removed by the people. The system has been rigged to protect them. Home Depot has pitchforks.
wepeople on October 10, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I just got through to Frank’s office. I told them my name and requested that Frank resign so that the “healing could begin”. I say if Pelosi does not want to do her job we should start calling for her resignation, too. Who does she think she is? She has no right to cover for these people.
bloggless on October 10, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Congress has a what? A 10 pct approval rating? We still can’t get them out? Our Democracy is a farce.
ronsfi on October 10, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Bush should announce a Justice Dept probe into any illegal actions members of Congress may have in this crisis. If the Democrats win, let’s see if they have the nerve to cancel the investigation.
huckleberryfriend on October 10, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Chris Dodd learned one lesson from his father. Never let the bribes ever flow through your campaign funds. (In 1967 Dodd’s father (Thomas J. Dodd) was censured by the senate for diverting $116,000 in campaign funds for personal use.) Chris took his bribes in kind and direct from the Country-wide in the terms of a sweetheart loan.
Now he is in charge of fising this mess. We’re screwed.
swampleg on October 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM
If Pelosi or Reid think there power structure is in jeopardy, like any two-bit dictator, they will have there underlings “shot or hung”, to take the heat off.
right2bright on October 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Advantages of incumbency and the fact that everyone believes it is someone else’s member of Congress that needs to go. Barney Frank will be reelected with a comfortable margin in Nov. in spite of his dereliction of duty.
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 11:23 AM
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TIP OFF DRUDGE THAT BARNEY IS GETTING A LOT OF PHONE CALLS.
bloggless on October 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Term limits is the answer IMO. But since it is Congress that would have to pass such a law, we’re screwed.
Elilminating the income tax on individuals and businesses would gut the power of Washington as well. A single VAT or sales tax. Kill the IRS. Washington’s power derives from its power to tax.
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Witches don’t let witches face witchhunts
anniekc on October 10, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Try them and jail them.
rplat on October 10, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Vashta.Nerada on October 10, 2008 at 11:08 AM
“so what”. OMG! I wonder when he is up for re-election because I want to donate to his opponent.
Cindy Munford on October 10, 2008 at 11:37 AM
With increased majorities in both the House and Senate, along with Obama in the white house, the demoncRATS investigating themselves is laughable. The DOJ under Bush has been MIA for a long time. These cretins will skate just like bubba clinton did selling missle technology to china in return for campaign $$$ and pardoning Marc Rich (not to mention perjury before a grand jury, etc.).
mountainmanbob on October 10, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Why doesn’t McCain just name names at every rally ??
tarpon on October 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Yes, put them all on, catch one in a lie, perp walk then off to prison like Scooter and Martha. Do not pass go, do not collect $200
Wade on October 10, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Frank and the entire House are up for election in less than a month. That’s where much of the action has stemmed from. Were this not an election year, Pelosi would still be dithering over legislation instead of pushing through that lousy bail out bill.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Is anyone in McCain’s campaign reading The Wall Street Journal? If McCain isn’t calling attention to the fact that the nation’s leading business publication is calling for the heads of Dodd and Frank, I’m going to be very upset.
BuckeyeSam on October 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
McCain needs to tie it all together and sing it loud – Republicans can make a clean sweep! He starting to do it now, but he needs to scream out for Barney and Dodd to resign. Get people calling Pelosi’s office! The sentiments are already there – he needs to step up and be the reformer he is claiming to be.
One of Obama’s minions is on FOX saying we need calm, not “angry mob rallies”. How funny is that? Her voice seemed to be quivering as well.
I think this is going to work!
Queen0fCups on October 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
People who need to testify (Partly from input, here) Some of these are good guys, who have info. Others are part of the problem. A full, complete and forceful investigation is needed NOW! Everybody should be DEMANDING this from every politician.
Chris Dodd
Barney Frank
Barney Frank’s boyfriend (Who worked at Fannie -No pun)
Maxine Waters
Greg Meeks
Milvin Watt
Robert Litan (Brookings Institute)
Allen Greenspan
Jim Johnson Franklin Raines
Henry Paulson
Jimmy Carter
George Bush
Bill Clinton
John McCain
Charles Hagel
Elizabeth Dole
John Sununu
John Kerry
Nancy Pelosi
Harry Reid
Angelo Mozilo (CEO Countrywide)
Robert Feinberg (Loan Officer- Countrywide)
Senator Kent Conrad (Friend of Angelo)
Jamie Gorelick
Ben Bernanke
Chuck Schumer
Who else?
Star20 on October 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
The only person I can recall McCain wants to get is Christopher Cox.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Dodd is a fraud and Franks is a weinnie. We’ll never see justice in the public arena. Justice will be reserved for them in hell. Forgive me for despising these creeps.
Fuquay Steve on October 10, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Gateway Pundit On A Roll, Ayers, Obama, Pfleger, and More
Instapundit reports! Good stuff and lots of it, link and keep scrolling.
Mr. Joe on October 10, 2008 at 11:44 AM
The problem with Congressional investigations is that they inevitably turn political. The 9/11 Commission, for example was stacked to absolve Clinton and Reno from any culpability when in reality Commission member Gorelick should have been testifying why she put rules in place that all but assured the deaths of over 3,000 Americans.
Investigations are good but I want to see criminal charges and jail terms involved.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I’ve got an idea for a new SNL skit:
Starts out with Dodd and Frank at the gallows, with nooses around their necks, standing on top of the trap doors.
And the back and forth between them, before the executioner arrives with their hoods, goes like this….
rishika on October 10, 2008 at 11:49 AM
The dem’s will answer for this right after they answer for the blood of millions of Asians from Cambodia and Viet Nam. The 1st of Never.
Wade on October 10, 2008 at 11:50 AM
McCain and Boehner need to call for investigations PRONTO — or McCain doesn’t deserve to win.
PattyJ on October 10, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Dodd should be thrown out of the Senate, then his rear end should be thrown into the hot seat!
pilamaye on October 10, 2008 at 11:54 AM
If you guys would like to email Rep. Frank may I suggest this address within his district.
42 Fairhaven Commons Way
Fairhaven, MA 02719-4627
It’s Wal-Mart.
Cindy Munford on October 10, 2008 at 11:58 AM
highhopes, PattyJ
We HAVE TO push for a complete, full investigation. Bush, McCain and Boehner should be leading a charge on it. The message to all politicians is that “You are either with THE PEOPLE, or you are with the guilty parties who caused this financial mess! CHOOSE!!
Star20 on October 10, 2008 at 11:59 AM
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
The entire house isn’t up, my representative isn’t running this year.
Cindy Munford on October 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Put Barney Frank on the stand, too.
Dusty on October 10, 2008 at 12:05 PM
“highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
The entire house isn’t up, my representative isn’t running this year.
Cindy Munford on October 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM”
Cindy, either your rep is retiring, or you’re wrong. The entire house is up for election every two years. Senators are elected to six year terms, and therefore, only come up as 1/3rd of the Senate every two years, except for replacements due to something like a Senator stepping down for another position (such as Supreme Court, or in New Jersey’s case, to run for governor etc., or becoming incapacitated etc.)
Webrider on October 10, 2008 at 12:16 PM
GOD DAMN IT — FRY THESE BASTARDS! Why isn’t anything being done???
D2Boston on October 10, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Won’t happen without a special independent prosecutor.
a capella on October 10, 2008 at 12:21 PM
The sad thing is that the MSM, almost to a person, is covering for Obama by saying McCain is either “racist” or “going negative out of desperation” when he makes any of these points. I guess we’ve gotten to the point that a “teflon politician” is anyone the MSM loves and can make impervious to criticism. Really, the decline of America can be traced to media’s incessant lectures. By that, I mean all media. Hollywood has become a cesspool of leftist thought and output. The media, even as it dies on the vine, is acting as if they are the arbiters of American thought and values.
I actually expect that when Obama wins and gets a filibuster proof congress we’ll see our rights to dissent become illegal. They will hammer the ISPs whenever a blogger/commenter says something harmful to them (just look at how the youtube videos are pulled or sanitized when the left complains). Google is flat out in the tank for Dems and Obama, so bloggers will disappear. Rush and other conservative pundits will be forced off the air by reinstating the fairness doctrine to censor them, and sattelite radio doesn’t reach enough of an audience to keep them from becoming irrelevant. It’s going to be a long dark winter of oppression when the Dems get power.
Webrider on October 10, 2008 at 12:23 PM
The entire US House is up for election this year, if your representative isn’t running then he/she must be retiring but somebody is out there campaigning to be your Congressperson.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 12:25 PM
We need to do what we did to shut down the Immigration fiasco.
We need to flood congress demanding these guys face justice. You have to put the fear of God into these scummbags, or they won’t do a damn thing.
Iblis on October 10, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Or the other way around.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Won’t do any good. Frank and Dodd are members of “the club” and you won’t get fellow members to rat them out. Just look at the way William Jefferson is protected (not to mention Ted Stevens or Larry Craig). The real solution, is coming up in less than a month- throw the whole lot of Congress out on their collective rear ends and start over.
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I hear you and I appreciate the sentiment. It needs to be said as loudly and often as possible.
But I hold no illusions that it’ll actually happen. Those who created this mess and personally profited from it will never be held accountable. Even as I type this they’re being heralded as the heroes. They will all be re-elected in landslides.
I don’t know much but this much I do know: Congressional Democrats are all above the law. Democrat voters like that arrangement just fine.
Gilda on October 10, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I called. It rang and rang – no answer. Hm.
Queen0fCups on October 10, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I’ll say it again, and I am writing today to the WSJ to get them to say it too.
I want Paul Sarbanes up there under oath.
He’s the one that blocked the 2005 Fannie/Freddie reform bill. Dodd deserves some brickbats for not doing much as Chairman, but frankly, by the time he took over the Banking Commitee in 2007 this boulder was already rolling down the hill. Fannie and Freddie needed to be stopped in 2005 before the housing market started cooling off and they became the subprime mortgage buyer of choice. That’s the bill that John McCain cosponsored, and Paul Sarbanes killed it. Chris Dodd was backbencher on the Committee at that time. I cannot for the life of me understand how Sarbanes has not even been interviewed in all of this.
Sarbanes also has to answer for Sarbanes-Oxley. He led the charge for the mark-to-market rule that turned an orderly downtrun in housing into a full scale catastrophe. He was so intent on nailing Enron and making sure nobody could do what it did again.
rockmom on October 10, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Webrider on October 10, 2008 at 12:16 PM
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Maybe it is an uncontested seat because his web site doesn’t talk about retirement or re-election. Very odd. I will research more.
Cindy Munford on October 10, 2008 at 12:46 PM
A list with uncontested and races with only one major party candidate.
Alabama
House CD 1
Republican – Congressman Josiah Robins “Jo” Bonner
House CD 6
Republican – Congressman Spencer T. Bachus
House CD 7
Democratic – Congressman Artur Genestre Davis
Arkansas
Senate Class 2
Democratic – Senator Mark Lunsford Pryor
Green – Rebekah Jean Kennedy
House CD 1
Democratic – Congressman Marion Berry
House CD 2
Democratic – Congressman Victor Frederick “Vic” Snyder
Green – Deb McFarland
House CD 3
Republican – Congressman John Nichols Boozman
Green – Abel Noah Tomlinson
House CD 4
Democratic – Congressman Michael Avery “Mike” Ross
Green – Joshua Drake
California
House CD 18
Democratic – Congressman Dennis A. Cardoza
House CD 19
Republican – Congressman George P. Radanovich
House CD 22
Republican – Congressman Kevin McCarthy
House CD 28
Democratic – Congressman Howard L. Berman
House CD 30
Democratic – Congressman Henry A. Waxman
House CD 31
Democratic – Congressman Xavier Becerra
House CD 32
Democratic – Congressman Hilda L. Solis
House CD 37
Democratic – Congressman Laura Richardson
Socialist Workers Party – Arlene Rubinstein
(Republican); Independent – Nicholas “Nick” Dibs
Write-in; (Democratic) – Lee Davis
(Democratic); Write-in – Peter Mathews
House CD 38
Democratic – Congressman Grace Flores Napolitano
Libertarian – Christopher M. Agrella
Florida
House CD 3
Democratic – Congressman Corrine Brown
House CD 17
Democratic – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek
House CD 20
Democratic – Congressman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
No Party Affiliation; (Republican) – Margaret Hostetter
Georgia
House CD 4
Democratic – Congressman Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr.
House CD 5
Democratic – Congressman John Lewis
Illinois
House CD 17
Democratic – Congressman Philip G. “Phil” Hare
Kentucky
House CD 5
Republican – Congressman Harold Dallas “Hal” Rogers
Independent – James E. “Jim” Holbert
Louisiana
House CD 3
Democratic – Congressman “Charlie” Melancon, Jr.
House CD 5
Republican – Congressman Rodney Alexander
Massachusetts
House CD 2
Democratic – Congressman Richard E. Neal
House CD 3
Democratic – Congressman James P. “Jim” McGovern
House CD 5
Democratic – Congressman Nicola S. “Niki” Tsongas
House CD 8
Democratic – Congressman Michael E. Capuano
House CD 9
Democratic – Congressman Stephen F. Lynch
House CD 10
Democratic – Congressman William D. “Bill” Delahunt
Michigan
House CD 14
Democratic – Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
Green – Clyde K. Shabazz
Libertarian – Richard J. Secula
Mississippi
House CD 1 Special
Nonpartisan; (Democratic) – Travis W. Childers
Nonpartisan; (Republican) – Charles Gregory “Greg” Davis
Missouri
House CD 1
Democratic – Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr.
Libertarian – Robb E. Cunningham
New Jersey
House CD 10
Democratic – Congressman Donald M. Payne
Socialist Workers Party – Michael Taber
New York
House CD 6
Democratic – Congressman Gregory Weldon Meeks
House CD 9
Democratic; Working Families – Congressman Anthony D. Weiner
Conservative – Alfred F. Donohue
Oregon
House CD 1
Democratic – Congressman David Wu
Libertarian – H. Joe Tabor
Pacific Green – Chris Henry
Constitution – Scott Semrau
Independent Party of Oregon; (Republican) – Joel Thomas Haugen
(Republican); Write-in – Stephan Andrew Brodhead
House CD 4
Democratic – Congressman Peter Anthony “Pete” DeFazio
Pacific Green – Michael Allan “Mike” Beilstein
Constitution – Jaynee L. Germond
Pennsylvania
House CD 14
Democratic – Congressman Mike Doyle
Green – Titus North
(Socialist Workers Party); Write-in – Ryan Scott
Tennessee
House CD 6
Democratic – Congressman Barton Jennings “Bart” Gordon
Independent – Chris Baker
House CD 8
Democratic – Congressman John S. Tanner
House CD 9
Democratic – Congressman Stephen Ira “Steve” Cohen
Independent – Dewey Clark
(Democratic); Independent – Newton Jake “Jake” Ford
Independent – Mary D. “Taylor-Shelby” Wright
Texas
House CD 1
Republican – Congressman Louis B. “Louie” Gohmert
Independent – Roger L. Owen
House CD 2
Republican – Congressman Lloyd “Ted” Poe
Libertarian – Craig Wolfe
House CD 5
Republican – Congressman Jeb Hensarling
Libertarian – Ken Ashby
House CD 9
Democratic – Congressman Alexander “Al” Green
Libertarian – Brad Walters
House CD 11
Republican – Congressman K. Michael “Mike” Conaway
Libertarian – John R. Strohm
House CD 14
Republican – Congressman Ronald E. “Ron” Paul
House CD 16
Democratic – Congressman Silvestre Reyes
Libertarian – Mette A. Baker
Independent – Benjamin Eloy “Ben” Mendoza
House CD 21
Republican – Congressman Lamar Smith
Libertarian – James Arthur Strohm
Vermont
House At-Large
Democratic; Republican – Congressman Peter F. Welch
Liberty Union – Jane Newton
Progressive – Thomas James Hermann
Independent – Mike Bethel
Independent; (Marijuana) – Cris Ericson
Independent – Jerry Trudell
Virginia
House CD 3
Democratic – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott
House CD 9
Democratic – Congressman Frederick C. “Rick” Boucher
West Virginia
House CD 1
Democratic – Congressman Alan Bowlby Mollohan
Wisconsin
House CD 4
Democratic – Congressman Gwendolynne “Gwen” Moore
Purple Party; Independent – Michael D. LaForest
(Republican); Write-in – Dan Sebring
House CD 5
Republican – Congressman F. James “Jim” Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Independent – Robert R. Raymond
highhopes on October 10, 2008 at 12:56 PM
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