Retirning U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd offered a few words of advice to the person who will occupy the seat once he’s gone.
First, take two of three issues and make them your own. “Get involved in things you care about,” he said.
That’s the strategy he employed when he came to the Senate in 1980. Children’s issues and Latin America became two of his passions, and he made his mark on each, with the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act and his expertise in foreign affairs.
If Democrat Richard Blumenthal wins the election, he may try for a spot on the Senate judiciary committee, Dodd said, though he added that he was not trying to dictate Blumenthal’s committee assignments.
“You should also pay attention to what your state is interested in, whether you like it or not,” he said this afternoon, during a meeting with the Courant’s editorial board.
And finally, Dodd said, don’t try and amend every bill.