Restoring Habeas Corpus

Chris Dodd — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 11:16:18 EDT

Earlier this year, I re-introduced the "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007." The bill will restore Habeas Corpus protections to detainees, bar information acquired through torture from being introduced as evidence in trials, and limit presidential authority to interpret the meaning and application of the Geneva Conventions.

Become a citizen co-sponsor and watch a brief video outline the bill at:

www.restore-habeas.com

Backstage at the Daily Show

Chris Dodd — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 11:09:03 EDT

Ever since Richard Nixon appeared on Laugh In, Bill Clinton played the sax on Arsenio Hall, and John Kerry rode onto the set of the Tonight
Show on a Harley, late night television has become a staple of Presidential politics. Join us behind-the-scenes leading up to the big event: Senator Dodd on the Daily Show tonight!

4:00 P.M. - Prepping for the show in the hotel

Senator Dodd just finished his prep time and is genuinely excited to meet Jon Stewart and his audience. We're about to head on over to the studio after spending the last half hour speaking with the show's booker and a bit of back and forth with Communications Director Beneva Schulte (with Senator Dodd in the video).

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You'd hardly know you were walking into the Daily Show from looks outside the building. A non-descript "607" awning hangs atop a door leading backstage. There was little to do between the time we arrived and the start of the show -- so the Senator and staff simply talked about all manner of things, ranging from his kids, past Senate staff, and a run-down of various Daily Show alumni.

Photo: Outside the Daily Show

Photo: Senator Dodd in the Green Room

About fifteen minutes before the start of the show, Jon Stewart dropped by the room to say hello. The two, along with Senator Dodd's wife Jackie, mostly talked about their kids waking up at all hours of the night. Here's some video:

Video: Jon Stewart Drops By to Say Hello

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Finally, it was show time. They actually tape the show straight through, with the introduction, "From Comedy Central World News Headquarters in New York," through the first two segments and then the guest spot. Here's a photo of all of us enjoying the show.

Photo: Watching the Show from the Green Room

Senator Dodd went on and it really went well. But don't take our word for it, be sure to tune in tonight at 11 P.M. on Comedy Central (formerly known as the Comedy Channel, and before that simply, "HA!" These kind of settings give the senator a chance to shine at his best: very personal, very funny, and able to answer difficult questions without belittling the audience by going through a litany of talking points.

Thanks for joining us backstage at the show. Be sure to tune in tonight!

And in a case of meta-meta, here's the Daily Show's blog's coverage of our coverage of Senator Dodd's appearance on their show.

Senator Chris Dodd's Blog

Restoring Habeas Corpus

Backstage at the Daily Show