doddpix.JPGAs Jane announced yesterday evening, Sen. Chris Dodd will be here to discuss a new initiative he'll be proposing on Iraq and other matters at 5 pm ET/2 pm PT here on FDL. He'll be vlogging with us and taking your questions. We've set up a page for you to ask a questions if you'd like — since he'll be doing this via a remote vlog, we thought this might be easier logistically, and we'll be taking questions all day until the chat. Jane announced this yesterday evening, but I wanted to be certain that the morning crowd saw this as well.

I don't yet have the details on Sen. Dodd's proposal — will definitely link them up when I get something for everyone to read.  But we can glean some idea of Sen. Dodd's overall thought process on Iraq, the role of America in the world and the dynamics of foreign policy and diplomacy via a speech he gave some time ago on the stump in Iowa.  I wanted to share a bit from there with everyone, because I found it to be a good opening for discussion on these issues:

…For all the uncertainties in the world today, what is clear is that six years of a Bush Administration have made America and the world less secure, not more secure – our place in the world less certain.

Today we face the immediate and unfolding civil war in Iraq, the growing threat of state-less terrorist organizations across the globe, a dangerously confident Iran and resurgent Taliban.

We face a continuing crisis of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases afflicting whole continents, rising economic disparities in the United States and around the world, and a clear and present danger to our planet – global warming.

We face all this and more – and we do so with fewer allies today than ever before.

And so, the uncertainties and dangers of this moment are palpable. To understand where we are today and what course we must now pursue, you must start with Iraq….

For all our challenges—from the Middle East to international terrorism, from global warming to an ascendant China—the question is the same: is America’s political, economic, and moral strength up to the tasks before us? Are we prepared to face our challenges in this century with the boldness, optimism and the strength as we were in the last?

The answer depends on the choice we make today and the political choice we make in the Presidential election of 2008.

If we choose unilateralism in 2008, then the answer is "no" – no, because policies that isolate America have time and again failed to shape our future for the better. Should the American people choose a second path—one of bold engagement in the world—then I believe the 21st Century can be a century of optimism and opportunity.

But even here, it will take a leader with the experience, conviction and the vision to confidently lead on day one….

Because America has always stood for something more and deeper.

Because we understood that our power came from our ability to lead – not by the example of our force, but the force of our example….

I hope you will be able to join us for our discussion with Sen. Dodd today at 5 pm ET/2 pm PT.  The Senator would clearly like to discuss his initiative on Iraq and the issues surrounding it, but he has offered to take questions on other subjects as well.  You can leave your questions here.  As always, please be polite when asking questions of a guest here at FDL.  Thanks!

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