2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Dodd Leadership Team And Organization In Place Across The State Of Iowa

DODD LEADERSHIP TEAM ENERGIZED AND READY TO HEAD INTO IOWA HOMESTRETCH
Leadership and Organization in Place Across the State for Final Caucus Push

DES MOINES – Presidential candidate Chris Dodd’s Iowa campaign is heading into the caucus homestretch with a strong organization and a state and county leadership team experienced and ready for the final caucus push.

“Chris Dodd’s campaign is a perfect example of the kind of organization Iowans have come to appreciate and expect,” said Bob Skow, Co-Chair of Dodd’s Iowa Leadership Team.  “This campaign prides itself on retail campaign events that allow Iowans to ask questions and hold a conversation with the candidate and on its hard-working, strong ground organization across the state.  Chris Dodd is the kind of results-based leader with both the experience and the electability to ensure we have a Democrat in the White House in 2009.”

“To have the support of so many Democrats across this state who have lent their leadership, their knowledge about Iowa and the caucuses, and their political and personal guidance throughout this process is truly humbling,” said Dodd.

“And there are countless other Democrats I’ve met along the way who are looking for political leadership to bring people together, end the bickering and divisive discourse we’ve become accustomed to, and help get this country back on track. I want to thank Iowa Democrats for their encouragement and their support, and I’m looking forward to meeting – and winning the support of – many more before January 3rd.”

The campaign’s state leadership team is listed below.

State Leadership Team

Sen. Jeff Danielson of Waterloo, State Co-Chair – Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore
Fred Hubbell of Des Moines, State Co-Chair – Chair, Iowa Power Fund
Bob Skow of Dallas Center, State Co-Chair – CEO, Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa and Former State Representative
Sen. Tom Hancock of Epworth – Iowa State Senator
Rep. Ray Zirkelbach of Monticello – Iowa State Representative
Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald of Colo – Story County Sheriff
Bob Fulwider of West Liberty – President, Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America
Steve Jackson of Cedar Rapids – Founder, The Phoenix Club
Jack Reed of Ottumwa – President, Iowa Professional Fire Fighters Association
Alan Steckman of Mason City – Former Iowa State Representative candidate
Terry Stewart of Dubuque – Chair, Dubuque County Democrats

Tim Shriver Endorses Chris Dodd for President

TIM SHRIVER ENDORSES CHRIS DODD FOR PRESIDENT

Citing his deep commitment to children's issues, his international experience beginning with his time in the Peace Corps and his bold energy plan, calling for a Corporate Carbon Tax, Tim Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics endorsed Chris Dodd for President.

"I've known Chris Dodd for almost my entire life," Shriver explained.  "We are both proud to come from families of public servants, but no one brings a deeper, more abiding commitment to serving his country than he does.  Whether it was his years in the Peace Corps as a young man, his quarter-century in the Senate creating opportunity for families from New Haven to Nicaragua, or his ambitious new proposal to renew the call to service for every American, Chris is never focused on legacy and always focused on possibilities infused with trust and hope - always reaffirming a sense of what is possible for America with the right leadership.

"While Chris Dodd has touched the lives of families in countless ways, he is known as "The Children's Senator" for a reason.  From his leadership strengthening Head Start to countless other early childhood development efforts he authored, no one has done more to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and healthy environment.  Indeed, his leadership in the area of education alone would make him a worthy candidate for President in any election.   But at a moment in our history filled with so much division, conflict and tension, it is his experience and unique talent for bringing people together to tackle big challenges that sets Chris apart in this race.  Chris Dodd doesn't just champion causes - he transforms them.

"I am thrilled to endorse Chris Dodd for President." 

"With the stakes so high for our country, at home and abroad, it is deeply gratifying to have the support of someone like Tim, who has dedicated his life to giving back to his country.  He has been an ambassador for our most treasured American values abroad, building bridges of trust in war-torn countries and for those in need.  And his commitment as an educator is inspiring, from his work preventing substance abuse and violence to his efforts giving policymakers a deeper understanding of the social and emotional factors that contribute to a child's development," Dodd said.   

"We all know that service is in Tim's blood, with the Shrivers' integral role in creating the Peace Corps, the Special Olympics and so many other historic efforts that have contributed to our nation's underlying optimism and confidence.  But if you know Tim as I have, you know his singular passion for promoting inclusion, acceptance and justice around the world comes from the heart. 

"It is an honor and a privilege to have Tim Shriver's support in this race." 

Shriver is the son of Sargent Shriver, the first Director of the Peace Corps, and Eunice Mary Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics, which Tim has chaired for the past 11 years.  Tim Shriver joins his brother, Bobby, and their cousins Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Ted Kennedy, Jr. in endorsing Sen. Dodd's candidacy.

Chris Dodd At Tonight's Debate At The University Of Nevada In Las Vegas

DODD’S RECORD OF RESULTS, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER STANDS OUT AT DEBATE
Experience, Leadership, Honesty Prove Dodd is Most Qualified, Electable Candidate

LAS VEGAS, NV – At tonight’s debate at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Presidential candidate Chris Dodd demonstrated his ability to lead and stood out as the most qualified and experienced candidate in the field.  Dodd explained strongly and clearly his views and ideas on the issues most pressing to Nevadans and Americans such as immigration, education issues, and national security.

Dodd, who learned Spanish while in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, spoke in Spanish while answering a question about whether or not he believes fighting terrorism and slowing the flow of illegal immigration coming from our southern border as intrinsically related issues.

“When you take the oath of office, you don’t swear to (only) uphold the Constitution or (only) protect the country.  I believe by upholding our rights, we do protect the country.  And the Administration has taken the opposite view. They are posing to us the false choice, the dichotomy that to be safer, we have to give up rights.  I think that is so fundamentally flawed and fundamentally dangerous for the United States of America to embrace that idea,” Dodd said.

Highlighting his 26 years of work on children’s and education issues, including being named the Head Start Senator of the Decade, authoring legislation dealing with after-school programs, newborn screening, Autism awareness and founding the Children’s Caucus, Senator Dodd explained his position on merit pay for teachers, pointing to the way teachers should be judged at “excelling.”

“If you define excelling by teachers who will go into rural or poor, urban areas and make a difference, mentor children after school, put in extra time to make a difference, then I think that sort of merit pay has value,” said Dodd. “If you're judging excelling by determining whether or not that teacher has students who do better because they're in better neighborhoods or better schools, I'm totally opposed to that. We spend less than 5 percent of the national budget on elementary and secondary education. We need to fundamentally reform No Child Left Behind.  No Child Left Behind is a disaster for most schools and most teachers. I've dedicated a good part of my public career to children and to education -- one-quarter of the population, but truly, 100 percent of our future. This is an issue that deserves far more attention.”

Dodd also emphasized the importance of choosing a candidate who is attractive to Democrats and represents the issues important to them, and who can win against the Republicans next November.

“There's a shrillness to the debate,” Dodd said. “The American people want results, they want the job done. But when people get up in the morning and go to work, they sit around and they worry about their jobs, their retirement, their healthcare, their kids' education, and they wonder if anybody in Washington is paying any attention to them and whether or not the job is being done on their behalf. And, frankly, when a campaign is about turning up the heat or who's angrier or who's yelling louder, the American people turn off. They want us to come together.  They want a president that can lead the country. We want a Democratic candidate who can unite our party.”

“Chris Dodd was by far the most Presidential candidate on stage tonight,” said Nevada State Senator and Dodd supporter John Lee.  “His long track record of getting results for the American people on everything from health care to workers' rights to the economy showed that he is ready to lead and, in fact, is already leading on every major issue of our day. I am confident that come caucus night, Nevadans will support the candidate that is best for our state and best for our country. That candidate is undoubtedly Chris Dodd.”

Chris Dodd Today Issued The Following Statement In Observance Of Veterans Day:

DODD HONORS VETERANS; AS PRESIDENT WILL ENSURE CARE AND SERVICES THEY DESERVE
Washington, DC - Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd today issued the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:

"I join my fellow Americans today in taking a moment to pause and give thanks to all of our men and women who have served in uniform, and for those that are protecting our country today.  These individuals have made great sacrifices in order to defend our values and our nation, and without their service America would not be the great nation that it is today.  Over the past seven years, the Administration has echoed my sentiments in praising our veterans, but their rhetoric has rung eerily hallow, as evidenced by their failure to provide veterans with the care and services that they need and deserve.  I have been fighting for these priorities for over a quarter of a century and as President, I pledge to renew America's contract with veterans and once again make the well-being and health of these individuals what it ought to be - a top priority."

Dodd, who served in the National Guard and Army Reserve, unveiled his veterans plan earlier this week in events across Iowa.  Dodd's plan will:

• Guarantee the timely delivery of high-quality medical care and disability benefits
• Support our military families through extended Family and Medical Leave
• Support our military families through extended care
• Ensure veterans get the educational benefits they were promised and allow them to pass on unused benefits to their families

Chris Dodd Iowa Jefferson Jackson Dinner Photos

Chris Dodd Iowa Jefferson Jackson Dinner Photos

Dodd Campaign Announces Two New Field Offices In Fort Dodge and Ottumwa

DODD CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES TWO NEW FIELD OFFICES IN FORT DODGE AND OTTUMWA

DES MOINES – Continuing to build on a strong and well-established organization on the ground in Iowa, Presidential candidate Chris Dodd’s campaign today announced it is opening two new field offices in Fort Dodge and Ottumwa.

“The Dodd campaign understands that the key to success in the Iowa Caucuses is a strong, experienced organization that can talk directly to Iowans about Chris Dodd’s proven record of delivering results,” said Dodd’s Iowa spokeswoman Taylor West.  “We are proud of the work we’ve been doing for months to build this organization across the state, and we are excited to keep growing and reaching more Iowans in their communities.”

With the two new offices, the Dodd campaign now has 13 field offices in Iowa and nearly 80 paid staff on the ground, most of whom have been helping build the Dodd field operation for months.  Chris Dodd is currently in the middle of a nine-day swing through Iowa.

Information for the new offices is listed below:

Fort Dodge Field Office
1020 Central Avenue
Fort Dodge

Ottumwa Field Office
347 East 2nd Street
Ottumwa

Bobby Shriver Endorses Chris Dodd For President

BOBBY SHRIVER ENDORSES CHRIS DODD FOR PRESIDENT
Cites Dodd's commitment to public service and record of results

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Chris Dodd's Presidential Campaign announced that Bobby Shriver, founder and Chairman of DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) and (PRODUCT) RED and son of Sargent Shriver, the first Director of the Peace Corps, and Eunice Mary Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics, has endorsed Sen. Dodd for President.

"For the 25 years I've known him, Chris Dodd has always demonstrated the same ability to lead and inspire that we've seen in our greatest Presidents.  His commitment to service, particularly his years in the Peace Corps, and record of results would make him a serious candidate in any election," said Shriver. "From writing the Family and Medical Leave Act, to ensuring the United States' participation in the World Bank's Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt forgiveness initiative, to his tireless efforts to combat child poverty and hunger and secure funds for the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Chris has a special talent for bringing people together on a bipartisan basis to tackle enormous challenges.  That makes him the candidate we need at this difficult moment."

"I'm deeply honored.  Bobby has been a true champion, creating social change and improving world health," said Sen. Dodd. "This is someone for whom service is literally in his blood, with his family's long history of having helped create the Peace Corps, the Special Olympics and so many other efforts that have created opportunity here at home and around the world.  I hope to build on that great tradition of service to create a more prosperous and just country for all Americans."

In 2004, Bobby Shriver was elected to the Santa Monica, California, city council with the biggest margin in 120 years.  He joins his cousins, Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Ted Kennedy, Jr, in endorsing Sen. Dodd's candidacy.

Dodd Campaign Releases Two New Ads Highlighting Dodd's Proven Record Of Results For The American People

DODD CAMPAIGN RELEASES TWO NEW ADS HIGHLIGHTING DODD'S PROVEN RECORD OF RESULTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

WASHINGTON, DC - The Chris Dodd for President campaign today released two new television ads highlighting Senator Dodd's proven ability to produce results for the American people. 

In making the case that Dodd is uniquely qualified to produce results on the nation's most pressing problems like health care, the ads, entitled "View from the Shop" and "Duets," point to his  success in bringing people together to pass landmark legislation like the Family and Medical Leave Act. 

“People across Iowa and all of America are frustrated with the bickering and fighting that have defined our recent political history and that have prevented us from solving the big challenges that face the country - like health care,” said Dodd Communications Director Hari Sevugan.  “What sets Chris Dodd apart from the field is that he offers a proven ability to bring people together to produce results.”   

The two 30-second spots, which will run in Iowa on cable and broadcast, feature the characters of John and Jesse, two fictional barbers at Jim's barbershop in Winterset, Iowa, who were introduced in Dodd's previous ad. 

New Chris Dodd TV Ad: "Duet"

New Chris Dodd Ad: "Duet"

This is the second new ad the Dodd campaign is putting on the air today.