Dodd defends protesters' rights

Hartford (WTNH) - Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is opposing a key part of the national health care reform proposal backed by President Obama.

The controversial public option is what Lieberman doesn't like and it is considered essential by his Senate colleague Chris Dodd.

Do Democrats like Dodd, who have been working on this for most of the year, feel betrayed by Joe Lieberman?

"I'm trying to get to every hospital," Dodd said.

Steve Camilli of Southington was shocked to have his U.S. Senator visit his beside at Bristol Hospital this afternoon.

It's part of Dodd's nearly year long tour to state hospitals as he continues to push for a national health care plan with the controversial public option.

Yesterday, a large group of people invaded Senator Joe Lieberman's Washington office protesting his position against the public option and pledge to support a Republican filibuster but Dodd would not criticize his senate colleague.

"I know others are unhappy about those views, but listen, they're focusing on the wrong issue. This isn't about where Joe stands or I stand, what are we going to do to make sure that we have increased access, bring down costs, improve quality where we can; this is a very important issue," Dodd said.

Some people have gone so far as to say that Lieberman should be kicked out of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
"No, No, No, no one's said that at all. This is a difference of opinion, there are a lot of other members of our caucus who have strong views on a public option for and against," Dodd said.

There were also thousands of protestors at the U.S. Capitol yesterday who think the entire health care reform bill, to be voted on in the House this weekend, should be killed.

Holding a copy of the Constitution, Dodd defended their right to protest.

"I'd give my life to defend their right, I may disagree with what they say, but that's America and we allow and tolerate people to express their views and they should do it."