Pond Scum, I have some minor familiarity with the CFR assuming you're referring to the Council On Foreign Relations.  Are your concerns based on some of the membership and/or generally related to the organization? I've read some work at times by some of the members of the think tank such as Biddle that I thought were valid works though maybe somewhat right of my typical, admitted, left wing views.   Are you coming from the position of the concept that it may be related to the Tri-Lateral Commission or some of the other groups related to the
"New World Order?" 

For the purpose of those unfamiliar with the CFR, is it worth sharing or stating some opinion related to specific concerns because of the membership of those listed presidential candidates?  I would appreciate the opportunity for the education past my minimal familiarity primarily with articles by think tank members. 

Interestingly enough though I'm not sure about Chris Dodd, but I believe the other Democrat candidates are also members of the Democratic Leadership Council the "party" within a party whose goals and membership causes me considerable concern because of their major corporate connections.

Abraxas, I think maybe this CFR from Source Watch?

Council on Foreign Relations
From SourceWatch
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The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) states that it is "dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. The Council accomplishes this mainly by promoting constructive debates and discussions, clarifying world issues, and publishing Foreign Affairs."

In a September 2005 makeover of its website, the Council proclaimed itself to be "A Nonpartisan Resource for Information and Analysis"(sic), "to be the first-stop, nonpartisan resource on U.S. foreign policy and America’s role in the world", according to the press release.
Contents
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    * 1 History
    * 2 Conspiracy theorists' views
    * 3 CFR Reports & Publications
    * 4 Leadership
          o 4.1 Executive Office
          o 4.2 Current Directors
          o 4.3 Directors Emeriti
    * 5 Contact Information
    * 6 SourceWatch Resources
    * 7 External Links

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History

The CFR dates back to 1921, and in 1996 published its history, available on its website.

The membership of the CFR includes past Presidents, Ambassadors, Secretaries of State, Wall Street investors, international bankers, foundation executives, think tank executives, lobbyist lawyers, NATO and Pentagon military leaders, wealthy industrialists, journalists, media owners and executives, university presidents and key professors, select Congressmen, Supreme Court Justices, Federal Judges, wealthy entrepreneurs, and as many as ten 9-11 Commission Members. [1] [2]

Due perhaps more to its origins, associations, and history, than to its current composition and activities, the CFR does have a reputation as one of the "triumvirate of elite organizations" together with the Bilderberg and the Trilateral Commission. Elitism doesn't necessarily preclude the ability to provide unbiased and useful service however. [3]

Carroll Quigley, Professor of History at Georgetown University, stated, "The Council of Foreign Relations is the American Branch of a society which originated in England and believes national boundaries should be obliterated and one-world rule established." [4]

They hold regular private meetings including members, and very select guests. Occasionally they will hold a public meeting, and invite the open press (including C-SPAN). The image of the CFR as a closed-shop bi-partisan discussion forum for the foreign policy establishment has fuelled criticism that the organisation and its members are controlling world policy and events.
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Conspiracy theorists' views

The CFR and its members commonly feature prominently in conspiracy-oriented writings, such as those of anti-establishment conservatives, such as Lyndon LaRouche and Pat Robertson, as central advocates of the 'new world order'.

By way of example, James W. Wardner [5][6], claims he "exposes the evil forces behind the 'New World Order' and reveals the unholy alliances that are bringing about The Planned Destruction of America." [7]

In these writings the CFR is linked to other groups - such as the Trilateral Commission, the Illuminati [8], the Skull and Bones Society, and the Bilderberg Group - and portrayed as between them seeking to impose the 'new world order'. [9] (See also "Illuminati and Council on Foreign Relations" by Myron Fagan [10] [11]).
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http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Council_on_Foreign_Relations

I have posted enough info on the CFR, the foundations and the Trilateral Commission to fill a book.

I would be glad to discuss any of these groups, but we should do so in another thread.

The one thing I will say, it is amazing to me that the goals of the CFR are not even hidden anymore. With the information age it is very difficult to hide information and the CFR doesn't seem concerned with secrecy much. Why should they? They have almost everyone with power in their group.

Let me know if you would like to discuss this and I will start a new thread.

Most Americans don't like to bother with conspiracy theories too...

pondscum, It appears Mike Whitney agrees with you and others about those candidates who are members of the CFR, but goes one step further, essentially suggesting a pox on the whole election process.  IMHO a worthwhile read even if highly negative about the election process, particularly with the obscene amount of funds spent and/or will be spent for the MSM and usual involved corporations to in the end make the choice for all regardless of Party.

As a lifelong political activist, on a personal level, it may explain my inability to become heavily involved in the discussions related to the various candidates?

Excerpt from Whitney's article published on the Atlantic Free Press.

 Who Salute the Butcher's Apron     

Click Name for Bio of Mike Whitney   
Saturday, 22 December 2007
by Mike Whitney

"This year every one of the leading candidates is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Every one of them is a “dual loyalist” with a globalist agenda. Every one of them accepts the new regime of curtailed civil liberties, endless war, and free trade. There's not a nationalist or a patriot among them. None. They're all part of the same corporate effluent that washed into Washington on a wave of special interest payola drowning all visible symbols of a once-vital Republic. Romney pontificates about expanding Guantanamo while Clinton boasts about an attack on Iran. Blah, blah, blah. How can anyone listen to this gibberish? There's not a dime's worth of difference between any of them. They're all lacquer-hair phonies who've never had an original thought in their lives. Everything they think or say comes off a cue-card or teleprompter that flashes poll-tested, focus-group mumbo-jumbo which they reiterate roboticly. It's all rubbish.

If a prospective candidate hasn't sworn his undying allegiance to the cabal of transnational corporations, or taken a blood-oath to defend the doctrine of unfettered self-aggrandizement, or pledged to carry out a bloodthirsty “economy-busting” global crusade; he is quickly banished to the wilderness.

Just look at Ron Paul, who collected $6 million in donations in a matter of hours but still can't even get his picture in the papers. Why is that?

It's because he hasn't sold his soul to the carpetbagging freebooters who run the system. Apart from Kucinich, he's the only red-blooded, Constitution-toting American in the race. The rest are just bunko-artists and Pharisees.

Everyone knows what's going on. The whole campaign extravaganza is a pointless farce. Why continue the deception?

Whitney's complete opinion piece is here:

http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/3091/81/