While Chris Dodd was working his heart out on the Senate floor to protect the rule of law and our civil liberties, what do you think Hillary Clinton was doing?

Crisscrossing Iowa in a five-day helicopter tour (“Hill-a-Copter,” as the campaign calls it) she is repeatedly reminding folks that Iowa’s largest paper named her as its choice in the Democratic presidential race (on the Republican side, they picked John McCain). Monday night, as Clinton wrapped up hours of campaigning with a rally in Coralville (a burg near Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa), she said of the hoops the Register’s editors had her jump through as they mulled the endorsement: “I have never been through a process more grueling.”

Isn’t that special? Chris Dodd didn’t have the chance to talk to Iowa constituents today. He was actually leading. I wonder what Barack Obama was up to while Dodd fought for our Constitution.

Obama’s crowds remained strong throughout the day, though he was stumping in heavily Republican territory. He ended with a noisy rally before more than 1,000 people in an ornate restored theater in Sioux City, urging backers to throw caution to the wind and not be afraid to be bold. “If we’re serious about winning this election, we can’t be afraid to lose it,” Obama said, as his staff busily collected names and telephone numbers from the crowd. He returned to the theme of lobbyist influence on a chilly day in northwest Iowa, speaking to more than 400 gathered at Storm Lake High School. “The corporate lobbyists are going to have to understand that a new day has dawned,” said Obama. “No child should grow up in a community that is devastated by teacher shortages or nursing shortages.” Driving into Storm Lake, Obama’s motorcade passed by towers at wind farms similar to those sprouting throughout the region, and he said alternative energy could help rejuvenate rural America. “We’ve got wind farms that are being built, entirely new industries are being developed,” said Obama. “There are some competitive advantages in our rural economy, not only for wind but for biodiesel and ethanol.”

Looks like he had a full day of campaigning at his competitor Chris Dodd’s expense. Isn’t that sweet of Barack? It’s almost as nice as Joe Biden’s decision to do radio and campaign appearances in New Hampshire.

MONDAY DECEMBER 17 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time): SEN. BIDEN TO BE GUEST ON NHPR’S “THE EXCHANGE” 2:45 p.m. : SEN. BIDEN TO ADDRESS LOCAL DEMOCRATS AT HOUSE PARTY IN NEW IPSWICH

Place: Home of Lisa Brown

Address: 169 Appleton Rd., New Ipswich, NH

That’s right…while Dodd was wearing out his vocal chords fighting for what’s right, Joe Biden was having tea and cookies at Lisa Brown’s house.

All three Senators said they support Dodd and oppose retroactive immunity, and all three let Dodd do all the work while they campaigned at his expense.

Chris Dodd deserves praise and you can contribute to his campaign if you like rewarding good behavior.

Edwards and Richardson are not senators and couldn’t vote or help filibuster. But Clinton, Obama, and Biden all disgraced themselves today. They all dishonored themselves today. When the FISA bill is brought up again in January it will be right in the midst of the primaries. The progressive wing of the Democratic Party will harshly punish a repeat of this cowardly day.