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Presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, joined S.C. Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman, and other local leaders and citizens for a breakfast meeting at Chestnut Grill Friday morning after Thursday's Democratic presidential debate.

"I wanted to give the voters of my Senate district and the surrounding area a chance to meet Chris Dodd and talk with him one-on-one. Having the opportunity to talk with a presidential candidate is a chance that not many people get," Matthews said.

Dodd said that he appreciated Matthews hosting the breakfast because he believes that "you learn more about a person listening to them over a cup of coffee than in a big auditorium full of people."

Among the more than 50 attendees, Lottie Irick said that she is still shopping for her favorite candidate, but after the debate, she had narrowed her search.

"From last night, I put Dodd, Obama, and Hillary at the top of my list," she said, pointing out that Dodd got her attention because "he was straightforward and stuck with the issues."

Irick was disappointed that education was not discussed more during the 90-minute debate because, to her, that is the key issue that needs to be addressed and is a critical element in her decision-making. According to this retired educator, she holds to the motto that "great schools are a basic right for every child."

Like Irick, the Rev. Henry Murdaugh said he's still in the process of eliminating candidates to find the one that most represents his interests and beliefs.

"I like the way Dodd presented himself last night and I was real happy to get a close-up view of the candidates and meet them first-hand," said Murdaugh. He added that the debate was a plus for Orangeburg and South Carolina.

In his introduction, former Connecticut state Sen. Sandy Cloud, Dodd's national co-chairman, described the Democratic presidential candidate as someone who "supports a vision of America that represents an opportunity for all of us."

Matthews said Dodd understands the education needs in America and is "knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate."

When Dodd, 62, father of two young children, took the floor, he immediately began speaking about education and the importance of having an educated society.

"Children are the motivation: 25 percent of our population are children, but they are 100 percent of our future," Dodd said. He said he comes from a family of teachers and was named Senator of the Decade by the Head Start Association.

"Education is key to our ability to compete. Ignorant people have a hard time standing up for their rights and freedom. The federal government needs to be a partner in education, not just with Title I and special education funding," Dodd said. He said only 5 or 6 percent of each dollar in the federal budget goes to fund education in the United States.

Dodd stated that the quality of education should not depend on where a child is born and that no one should be denied higher education because of a lack of money.

"This should not happen, not in America," said Dodd, referring to the growing cost of tuition at colleges and universities and the often-crippling student loans that can deter young people from seeking higher education.

Generally speaking, Dodd said that Americans can handle the truth and are seeking true leadership that will tell the truth.

"America is not divided. It is the leadership that is divided," said Dodd, adding that the American people want leaders who will bring them hope and confidence, and who will bring people together.

Dodd spoke of the importance of working together in a non-partisan way to be effective at getting America back on the right track to living up to the words of the U.S. Constitution.

"We have not achieved that perfect union. We are closer today than we were yesterday, but we are not there yet," said Dodd. His said his desire is to "see the United States respected by the world again" by acting in a manner of true diplomacy and by talking to those with whom we do not always agree to work out issues.

Dodd said, "I am horrified by an administration who will not sit down and discuss issues with people they do not agree with. You have to use all your tools ... negotiation, diplomacy and military ... not just jump to the military tool first."

On the subject of energy efficiency, Dodd said that he believes in imposing a corporate carbon tax on polluters. He supports making alternative energy sources more financially attractive and mandating a 50 miles per gallon standard on the automobile industry.

No matter the other issues that are on the minds of Americans, Dodd said that education has to come before energy and health care.

Dorothy R. Hodges, who said she is just genuinely interested in politics, would not commit to any candidate, praising them all for being very good Democratic Party representatives.

"Everything has been good for Orangeburg this week. The debate has been good for the (university) in many ways," Hodges said.

T&D Staff Writer Donna Holman can be reached at dholman@timesanddemocrat.com and 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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