by Danielle Ellis

By now, every member of the voting public knows there is a Mormon with sights set on the White House. What you may not know is that he is not alone.

Currently seeking the Democratic nomination is Chris Dodd, a U.S. Senator from Connecticut. Although Mr. Dodd is a devout Roman Catholic, his wife, Jackie Clegg Dodd is a Utah Mormon from pioneer stock. I recently spoke with Mrs. Dodd in conjunction with her recent trip to Las Vegas on the campaign trail.

Raised in Orem, Utah as the fourth of six children, Jackie graduated from Orem High and went to Southern Utah State College in Cedar City.

Before her graduation from SUSC in Communications, Jackie moved to Washington to begin working as an intern for Utah’s representative Jim Hansen. She completed her degree by correspondence courses and went back to school at Georgetown University, studying national security. She completed her thesis on nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

When Jackie’s internship was over, she went to work for Jake Garn, and was involved in defense and foreign policy work and international trade. She got involved with the Senate Banking Committee, which deals with international finance and monetary policy and the Export-Import Bank. Jackie distinguished herself at the Export-Import Bank, and was nominated by President Clinton to be vice-chair of the board of directors there.

It was on a Park City ski trip in 1988 that Jackie was introduced to Senator Chris Dodd. “He didn’t ski as well as I did, so that leveled the playing field a bit,” she jokes. They found that although their religious backgrounds were different, they shared the same priorities.

Jackie and Chris both came from large, deeply religious families who had committed themselves to public service. “I found him to be an honorable individual,” she says.
Chris had served in the Peace Corps, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.

Although he didn’t have children, Chris had always been committed to family-friendly causes in Washington. He founded the Children’s Caucus, which looks out for children’s needs when legislation is being considered.

He wrote the first childcare legislation and spent a decade working to enact the Family and Medical Leave Act. He is currently working to get that leave paid.

Based on studies that show less criminal activites and drug use among the poorest children when they are given key resources, Dodd is now working to fully fund Head Start Programs. He has worked for nursing stations in workplaces and early childhood nutrition programs.

Chris and Jackie were married nine years ago and are the parents of two girls, Christina, 2, and Grace, 5, named after both grandmothers. “They are a constant surprise, and the light of our lives,” Jackie says. It’s satisfying to me that Chris has spent all these years in Washington working on family causes, and now he finally has children of his own. “I love to watch him sitting on the floor, playing with the girls,” she says. “As older parents, we have had to find tools that work, because we can’t outrun our kids!” For that inspiration, Jackie turns to family.

“My mom was the best mother. She gave each of us a set of wings, and stressed the value of education.” Jackie also draws inspiration from her sister, a teacher. “She never uses embarrassment discipline, and she always uses a soft voice. Children will stop and listen to a soft voice, whereas if you try to be louder than them, they will always win.”

Jackie also looks for higher inspiration with her children. “I say a silent prayer that I won’t have to raise my voice to my children.”

This reflective peace pervades Jackie’s life as a wife and mother, despite the hectic nature of a presidential campaign. “It all comes down to finding balance in your life,” she says. “Then all the little stuff rolls off your back. It’s not worth it to lose control.”

Jackie has similar wisdom about motherhood. “Try to find 10 minutes to sit quietly, with no electronics, and think about what’s really important. For me, it comes down to helping my husband and taking care of these little ones. All the rest of our lives are gifts that we may give to each other.”

It has apparently worked for Jackie. Recently she asked five-year-old Grace what Daddy did every day. “He’s a senator. He does good things for people,” she replied.
She pressed on, “and what does Mommy do?”

“Mommy does dishes.”

Although Chris Dodd is currently trailing in the polls, pundits seem to pay more attention to his experience and track record than the media does, and they speak favorably of him as well.

I asked Jackie about what domestic issues would be part of a Dodd presidential administration. “Chris would definitely use the bully pulpit for health issues. He has the track record to be credible on those issues. He would like insurance companies to focus on prevention, and on education on basic food habits and health habits.”

So will 2008 put a Mormon in the White House? Time will tell, but for now, Jackie Dodd has my vote as a gracious, bright and thoughtful woman who would make a wonderful first lady.