The Hartford Courant takes Sen. Chris Dodd — and his wife — to task for taking a VIP “Friends of Angelo” deal from Countrywide to refinance their East Haddam and Washington, DC, homes:
Sen. Dodd and his wife will save thousands of dollars over the 30-year life of the loans because of Countryside’s perks. Even still, we find it hard to believe the senator would have sold his constituency (or his reputation) so cheaply..
We do think he was negligent, however, a conclusion supported by the senator’s own public comments.
***
Countrywide, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, has since emerged as a major player in the subprime lending debacle. It’s a fair question whether perks like Countrywide’s VIP program had a softening effect on Sen. Dodd and others who might otherwise have nipped the problem in the bud years ago.
The Courant managed to somehow overlook the approximately $70,000 in campaign contributions Dodd received from Bank of America in the last year-and-a-half. BoA agreed to buy Countrywide in January and its operatives reportedly wrote the Senate’s version of the Dodd-Shelby bailout for subprime mortgage lenders. NRO obtained a BoA “discussion document” that supports the charge that BoA essentially wrote the bailout provisions of the bill, which the Senate is scheduled to debate today.
Such circumstances suggest that Dodd was not negligent in this matter. Rather, they suggest that Dodd has an ongoing cozy relationship with the industry within his jurisdiction. That is not negligence; that is politics as usual.ÂÂ
Even so, at least the Courant bothered to editorialize on the subject. The broadcast networks that norrmally love to take on Countrywide and the subprime mortgage mess have been virtually silent on the favorable treatment Democratic Senators got from Countrywide.
(h/t Memeorandum.)
“…Even still, we find it hard to believe the senator would have sold his constituency (or his reputation) so cheaply..”
Errr……why?
Kevin Renny mentioned the $70,000 in his editorial.
The link can be seen by clicking on my name.
Sen. Dodd and his wife will save thousands of dollars over the 30-year life of the loans because of Countryside’s perks. Even still, we find it hard to believe the senator would have sold his constituency (or his reputation) so cheaply..
It was sold once, it will be sold again. And why not? No one has ever called him out on any of this, so he will eventually sell it at all times for all things.
yawn…..he will keep his seat, nothing will come of this…..him and Jefferson will both caucus for Obama what is the big deal after the last 8 years anyone with a D in front of their name is safe.
ProggHero helpfully stands up and exclaims “Hey, I’m a cow. You can milk me if you want.”
Oh. Usually I think though the D goes after the name but before like the state their from.
New Rules hf! The Obama revolution will smash your old notions.
yawn…..he will keep his seat, nothing will come of this…..him and Jefferson will both caucus for Obama what is the big deal after the last 8 years anyone with a D in front of their name is safe.
It wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep harping about ethics and corruption, while excusing themselves for being involved in the same type of activities. Hypocrites!
D’oh! bama
Just perquisities. Nothing to see here. Move along.
So the Courant board had to be aware of it, and still failed to mention it. Interesting.
OT- ut oh … soldier suicide stories are back.
He was also the tie breaker in the Senate bill that made Enron’s future’s manipulations more feasible. Even when he’s supposedly on the right side he’s a hack. The fact that they drove his father out of the Senate for the real crime of being a hardliner on Soviet
interventions and they led this sapling hold the seat is dissapointing to say the least.
Comment by Roboc on 6/23 @ 9:40 am #
yawn…..he will keep his seat, nothing will come of this…..him and Jefferson will both caucus for Obama what is the big deal after the last 8 years anyone with a D in front of their name is safe.
It wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep harping about ethics and corruption, while excusing themselves for being involved in the same type of activities. Hypocrites!
What politician is not a hypocrite? Please name one for me. Better our corrupt guy than yours.
Moooo.
Uh, guys, ProggHero’s a parody. Probably done by the same guy who plays thor.
Why would you call me a parody? What has been going on the last 8 years has been a parody of facism. Cept without the comedy of Hogans Heroes.
bush outs CIA agents and you guys vote him back in..whats the difference?
Wait, now I’m confused. Is Bush an actual fascist or is he merely a parody of a fascist?
Oh. *They’re* from. Stupid Monday and also a heat wave and I haven’t even checked my email yet and I so bad don’t want to but I guess I should.
Because your arguments a few threads down are just too asinine. You pushed the parody too far. No one is that stupid.
At least I can spell fascist. This will be useful later.
My offer stands; I get a picture of “Proghero” in a Che shirt, standing next to a VW bus and I’ll believe he’s real. Until then, it’s a waste of time.
Comment by CArin -BONC on 6/23 @ 10:26 am #
Because your arguments a few threads down are just too asinine. You pushed the parody too far. No one is that stupid.
What about them do you disagree with?
Happy – I’m sure George Lakoff has a term ready to go in place of fascist. The “F” word will be a no-no. Nasty connotations and all.
Because your arguments a few threads down are just too asinine. You pushed the parody too far. No one is that stupid.
Don’t underestimate ProggHero’s capacity for stupidity! CArin, you forgot the beret!
OT – Lakoff defines “Progresive” for us : The term “progressive” originated from people who were Democratic Socialists, but the socialism aspect has dropped away, and it’s come to mean what I call “nurturant morality.” It includes choosing peace whenever possible, environmentalism, civil liberties, minority rights, notions like social justice through living wages, et cetera.
See, it’s ok. Proggs have dropped the socialism aspect.
Erm … all of them.
I could start with this:
Well BigBangHunter you do realize as soon as ANYONE passes amnesty that the Republican party will become a permanent minority don’t you?
Is that a good thing? That anyone would push for an amnesty bill in order to buff up the rolls of Democrats just isn’t firing on all levels. A political imbalance caused by an influx of immigrants? Great plan.
While our guys might be liars, better our liars than yours. People on the right are not pragmatic enough to keep their liars in office, hence when you Republican scandal erupts you do not close ranks. When your guy lies you throw him under the bus. Very big mistake in my estimation since it makes you all look guilty of something and is bad
Where to start on that one. Liberals are better because they cover for their liars and thieves? Unbelievable. Parody.
Gov health care will be more of a nail in conservatives coffin than the amnesty. What will happen to the vaunted “rugged individualism†when you have to depend on the government for your health care? Look at how senior citizens vote on that issue and transfer that to the rest of the population. The fact you guys put big business on top of the interests of the majority of American citizens is sickening to me, but will end when the desire to fund our government is stacked against theirs. With every American citizen looking to the government and seeing it for
Disdain for industry and business … WTF do you think creates the jobs and revenue that enable asshats to over tax us? BIG business IS in the interest of the majority of Americans.
It is to laugh. Try to fund your government w/o people holding – you know – JOBS. Come to Michigan. I’ll take you on a nice little tour and who you what progressives policies and unions have done.
Anyway, I’ve wasted enough time, because until I see you, the Che shirt, the VW bus, AND the beret, I think you’re fucking with us.
I find the threat the right poses to my beliefs, taking away a woman’s right to choose, shoving christianity down my throat, taking away our civil liberties in the so called wot, and alienating the rest of the civilized world with your cowboy diplomacy, as a far greater threat than socialism.
In a choice between Bernie Sanders and tom delay, I would vote Bernie Sanders in a heartbeat.
See, I’m more of a Barry Sanders kinda gal.
ProggHero – if one of those threats were legitimate, this conversation might be more interesting.
Bored now.
In a choice between voting Dodd out of office and losing a member of the Senate who is willing to vote for my principles, and voting him out because he is crooked and having a Repub take the seat, I will vote for Dodd. If you want to consider that a “parody” then go ahead remain naive. Last time I checked your nominee was John “I will not take a bribe AT THIS TIME” McCain.
We would call you a parody because your delusions of the “threat” posed to you are just that — delusions. As evidenced by the fact that the only one of them remotely close to reality is the part about alienating the rest of the world. You of course skip over the fact that we have made bin laden and AQ even less popular, and that European officials are scared that Obama’s own unilateral diplomacy with Iran will be an unconditional surender, but at least there was a kernel in that last “threat.”
Carin,
Barry was shifty, but in a good way.
The logic of wishing to keep the criminal in office to avoid the possibility of the Republican is truly awesome. Parody or just blindly partisan? How could you tell?
I find the threat the right poses to my beliefs, taking away a woman’s right to choose, shoving christianity down my throat, taking away our civil liberties in the so called wot, and alienating the rest of the civilized world with your cowboy diplomacy, as a far greater threat than socialism.
Weren’t you the one railing against the “spreading of fear” yesterday? Wait for it…Chimpy McKatrinaburton is a fucking idiot…aaahhh! Works for me every time!
Last time I checked, my candidate was Fred Thompson. But that was many moons ago. John McCain is “my guy” only after I drink a few glasses of Pinot Noir on the first Tuesday of November.
Crooks and criminals in public office deserve to go. Even if they vote “my way. “Anything less is hypocrisy.
That “your side” doesn’t hold it’s member accountable is telling.
BTW, I have to at least note that PH is screeching about the loss of civil liberties at the same time that PH expresses hypothetical support for a crook, so long as the crook is a progg. The latter kinda undermines the former, but whatever.
What’s the big deal ??
Just another example of CORRUPTION Washington D.C. Style ….by our lawmakers who do not think the rules apply to them !!
How about the sweet deal Obama got from Rezko on his residence …he made a “MISTAKE” too …he can’t understand what the “PROBLEM” is either !!
Go ahead people ….vote for Obama and don’t forget to reelect Dodd !!
It is no big deal, people, until we start THROWING THESE BUMS OUT !!
Hey FroggHero, Vermont is nice this time of year. Ben & Jerry must be looking for some blind taste tester for their new “Mint Guberment Giveaway Crunch” flavor.
Comment by Karl on 6/23 @ 11:03 am #
BTW, I have to at least note that PH is screeching about the loss of civil liberties at the same time that PH expresses hypothetical support for a crook, so long as the crook is a progg. The latter kinda undermines the former, but whatever.
In a perfect world he would be chucked in the primary.
Dodd is kind of a prostitute I think. Deep down, he’s probably suffering from issues of self-worth. And also he’s a Senator.
Well there should probably be some sort of government program that could help crooked Senators with self worth issues. If only there weren’t any Republicans around there probably already would be such a thing.
Rep Jefferson is RUNNING AGAIN! Woot!1! Apparently corruption runs in his family though because his sister pled guilty to charges related to skimming money from charitable groups. Warm fuzzies!
Carin on Jefferson:
That’s cold.
Well New Orleans is a cesspool where the scum rises to the top. Must be something in the water.
Rep Jefferson is RUNNING AGAIN! Woot!1! Apparently corruption runs in his family though because his sister pled guilty to charges related to skimming money from charitable groups. Warm fuzzies!
They must get a discount on freezers!
I would put money on Rep Jefferson winning. He has that Marion Barry feel to him.
Democrats deserve what they get. Come to Detroit – I’ll show you corruption. Everyone of them a Democrat.
They may be criminals, but they are our criminals !
“Where to start on that one. Liberals are better because they cover for their liars and thieves? Unbelievable. Parody.”
“The reason any conservative’s failing is always major news is that it allows liberals to engage in their very favorite taunt: Hypocrisy! Hypocrisy is the only sin that really inflames them. Inasmuch as liberals have no morals, they can sit back and criticize other people for failing to meet the standards that liberals simply renounce. It’s an intriguing strategy. By openly admitting to being philanderers, draft dodgers, liars, weasels and cowards, liberals avoid ever being hypocrites.”
-Ann Coulter
Well I think that would have more to do with the intricacies of AA voting patterns than Right/Left policies if you want to compare Detroit and NO. Same thing here in D.C. Alot of the population is very suspicious of the police for obvious reasons and they vote accordingly. When these accusations come up they react by gathering around the accused and not condemning them.
I would put money on Rep Jefferson winning. He has that Marion Barry feel to him.
I’d hide my money if I lived in Louisiana, just not in the freezer!
To give an example of my last comment I would suggest looking at Billy’s poll numbers pre and post Monica among the AA community. They went up.
If the US Taxpayer ends up picking up the tab for the most egregious of the “bad loans” – and they will – then BofA’s investment in CWM might turn a pretty handy profit.
I wonder what Sen. Dodd’s cut is? Just the $70,000?
Cheap.
I wasn’t aware we elected the police here in DC. It is nice that they drive around with their rollbars flashing so that everyone can see them coming, but I didn’t know it was part of some reelection program.
“Comment by Karl on 6/23 @ 10:56 am #
We would call you a parody because your delusions of the “threat†posed to you are just that  delusions. As evidenced by the fact that the only one of them remotely close to reality is the part about alienating the rest of the world.”
And really, who cares?
“#
Comment by ProggHero on 6/23 @ 11:26 am #
Well New Orleans is a cesspool where the scum rises to the top. Must be something in the water.”
Yeah, Democrats.
All Hail the One Party! Right, PH, Comrade?
Well I think that would have more to do with the intricacies of AA voting patterns than Right/Left policies if you want to compare Detroit and NO. Same thing here in D.C. Alot of the population is very suspicious of the police for obvious reasons and they vote accordingly. When these accusations come up they react by gathering around the accused and not condemning them.
That way the crack dealers can give bulk discounts.
N. O’Brain I do not live in NO and do not vote their so do not blame me. We have an imperfect gov. made up of imperfect people, there is alot of choices between bad and worse that have to be made. Who do you blame exactly for NO politicians, the culture, the Dem party, or the AA community which keeps voting them in?
Yep. Dodd does have that cheap whore look about him. Must be the rouge and the tussled hair.
Thanks for an example of right wing racist parody roboc.
You should tell that one to all your friends roboc, that is sure to up the AA turnout for your side.
ell I think that would have more to do with the intricacies of AA voting patterns than Right/Left policies if you want to compare Detroit and NO. Same thing here in D.C. Alot of the population is very suspicious of the police for obvious reasons and they vote accordingly. When these accusations come up they react by gathering around the accused and not condemning them.
Those darkies … really, it’s a shame we even let them vote.
But, I actually call BS. When AA voting patters show this pattern, you will also find a MSM massaging the message, and other (non-black) Democrats avoiding the issue at ALL costs. Proggs and liberals then hold up their hand in bemusement …
How much do you think Jennifer Granholm has had to say regarding Kwame? REgarding the misappropriation of school funds in Detroit?
#61 – Clearly, it is President Bush’s fault.
Comment by ProggHero on 6/23 @ 11:40 am #
To give an example of my last comment I would suggest looking at Billy’s poll numbers pre and post Monica among the AA community. They went up.
And that’s a good thing? OK, you are a parody. Your insinuation that blacks approve of such behavior is insulting. Go fuck yourself!
Never said they approve of it. I said look at the polling data. I think your grasping here for a chance to accuse me of being what you are. A racist.
Well he can sure spell racist right at least. Yay public schools!
Some folks just love to whip out that racist label, because it allows them to finally do what they wanted to do from the beginning, which is to be able to self justify not listening to opposing arguments. It’s because they are super fucking smart.
Racists. I denounce all y’all. Sexists and homophobes too, you are. Consider yourselves condemned. And disowned. And disavowed. And thrown under the back of the bus.
OK, we have competing accusations of racism. I hereby issue a blanket denouncement and condemnation of every comentator. That should cover it.
RACISTS!
Oh, and a supplemental denouncement of JD as misogynistic, homophobic and Islamophobic.
Progg gets an addendum condemnation for being a liberal shill with no morals and a Stepford mentality.
CARRY ON!
BJ – I am a sexist knuckle-dragging mouth-breather too. You cannot forget those.
I have a court ordered standing self denunciation in effect. I am required to stand 50 feet away from my arguments at all times.
Proximity denounciation.
that’s just disgusting.
Dodd should resign and stop embarrassing himself
Comment by sashal on 6/23 @ 12:20 pm #
that’s just disgusting.
Dodd should resign and stop embarrassing himself
The Dhimms will probably offer to construct a new senate building in his name. Maybe name the cafeteria the “Dodd Trough”.
Heh! (snort)
Oh. Well, nevermind I guess.
No reason not to take his word for it.
“ProggHero”?
Damn, I done told the Missus we shoulda-oughta never bought Little thor that cape outfit with the tights and those skimpy external briets – ‘thought it might go to the boy’s head, just like that little ball peen seems to keep doing.
Now he even thinks he can converse with adults and is invisable!
Head Start followed by Angry Studies didn’t turn out to be such a good edjumacation plan, neither. So it seems Little thor will just be stuck also with them NASA Depends brand for the duration.
We have only ourselves to blame.
Dodd is my Senator, and is a useless “Gimme” hack.
Unfortunately, he could have made 3500 poor black families pay his mortgage, and would STILL not lose his seat. That’s how safe his seat is in CT.
It is maddening!
Who do you blame exactly for NO politicians, the culture, the Dem party, or the AA community which keeps voting them in?
Yes.
ProggZero –
“Well I think that would have more to do with the intricacies of AA voting patterns than Right/Left policies if you want to compare Detroit and NO. Same thing here in D.C. A lot of the population is very suspicious of the police for obvious reasons and they vote accordingly. When these accusations come up they react by gathering around the accused and not.”
This is why we love proggs here. Since the proggs took over the education system in the late 60’s – early 70’s, we have slipped from #on1 educationally to – what? – #17 last I looked. The proggs have also been busy since circa 1950 destroying black communities and families with their high rise prisons – oh! Excuse me! Projects. Everything the proggs touch turns to shit, and always has. And now, we’ve got ObamaLamaDingDong, shucking and jiving and lying his way towards the presidency. But, hey! Those Armani suits give proggs a boner up to HERE!
but once again, I, and probably many here, really do appreciate your open embrace of fascism. NO ONE on the right is trying to shove Christianity down your throat. In fact, it is the proggs who are trying to shove secular humanism down OUR throats, and threatening physical harm to thosew who don’t want to eat a load of horseshit.
But what you prove every time you comment here, is that you have no regard for the facts (sometimes called “truth), and are willing to murder people who don’t agree with you. COOL! What an immense intellect you have.
Yup. That’s Progressive all right! KILL FOR FASCISM! The proggs have taken the most important document of freedom in the history of the world, and turned it into used bumwad. It certainly IS inconvenient for people like you. So fuck it! The Constitution is a worthless rag to you and your hopelessly egotistical comrads. Your hubris is stunning. But let me guess. You are proud of it, aren’t you?
I still can’t decide if you are Jeff parodying a progg, or a really clueless fucking madman. It’s just hard to believe that anyone this side of the Third Reich could actually hold your beliefs.
“Comment by ProggHero on 6/23 @ 10:25 am #
bush outs CIA agents and you guys vote him back in..whats the difference?”
Ummmm…Do you really think that we are as stupid as the dupes you are fucking with?
I’ll bet that there is no one on PW that doesn’t know that Richard Armitage was the one who outed Plame. And I don’t even accept the term “outed”. “Secret agents” do not drive to work at CIA headquarters every day. No one has EVER proved the case that Plame was “undercover”.
Witness the fact that the witch hunt through the Bush administration never got anybody indicted for outing a work-a-day broad whose husband can’t tell the truth – except when he is under oath. And to top it off, the prosecutor (I’m not remembering his name) knew who leaked her name BEFORE they even started their “investigation”. What a bunch of bullshit.
Cut the crap. You are not dealing with the same morons that you do at HuffPo.
But who gives a shit? Facts mean nothing to people whose heads have been twisted like pretzels by their lack of morality and logic, and by their humongous “better-than=thou” egos.
Aw. C’mon. You are really Jeff just screwing with us, aren’t you?
CountryWide/BoA put in $80^3 for $2.5^9 worth of benefit.
That means $31,250 return per dollar invested if only Dodd was involved.
That means $312.50 return per dollar invested if only every single senator was involved.
That means about $60 return per dollar invested if every member of the House and Senate was involved.
That means 6000% return in a year.
Can you think of a Senator or Representative who wouldn’t be involved, for that amount of return?
Still, when all is said and done, Chris Dodd’s head will still resemble a tall kitchen garbage bag that’s been cinched with a goofy-looking tie.
just my two cents