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Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010 5:54 PM UTC

Emotional Dodd: “None of us is irreplaceable”

The senator gets choked up at a press conference about his impending retirement

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Topics: Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., War Room, 2010 Elections,

At a press conference he held Wednesday afternoon to discuss his decision not to run for reelection after almost 30 years in the Senate, Connecticut Democrat Chris Dodd couldn’t hold back his emotion. Choking up at times, Dodd talked about why he’d decided to retire — the likelihood of a loss hadn’t played a role, he claimed, though he did at least acknowledge the difficult race he would have faced — especially some of the things he’s faced over the past year.

“Over the past 12 months, I’ve managed four major pieces of legislation through the United States Congress, served as chair and acting chair of two major Senate committees, placing me at the center of the two most important issues of our time: health care and reform of financial services,” Dodd said. “I lost a beloved sister in July, and in August Ted Kennedy. I battled cancer over the summer. And in the midst of all of this found myself in the toughest political shape of my career.”

But, he added, “None of these events nor circumstances, either individually or collectively, is the cause of my decision not to seek reelection. Yet together these challenges have given me pause to take stock and to ask questions that too few of us in elected public life ever do: Why am I running?”

Dodd also spoke of traveling to Arlington Cemetery and the grave of Sen. Ted Kennedy after the Senate voted on healthcare reform, an issue dear to Kennedy’s heart, the day before Christmas, saying he thought about his career, constituents and colleagues. And from there, he went on to say, “I have been a Connecticut senator for 30 years. I’m very proud of the job I’ve done and the results delivered. But none of us is irreplaceable. None of us are indispensable.”

Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon. More Alex Koppelman.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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