2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Dodd Campaign Endorsed By Joe Keefe

Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd announces support from former New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Joe Keefe

WASHINGTON - Senator Chris Dodd today announced that former New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Joe Keefe has joined his campaign for President. "Joe Keefe is a highly-respected political strategist and a dear friend. I deeply value his advice and friendship and am grateful for his support," said Dodd. "Joe will be a key member of my campaign team in New Hampshire and beyond."

"I strongly believe that, in an increasingly complex and dangerous world, the times call for a president who brings to the office an astute understanding of global issues and a readiness to be Commander in Chief," said Keefe. "I strongly believe that the times call for political leaders who can engage in the rough and tumble of politics without losing their values or perspective, and Chris Dodd's career is a study in how to do that. I strongly believe that the times call for magnanimity, and Chris Dodd is magnanimous. I strongly believe that the times call for a president who can make friends and influence people - both at home and abroad - and Chris Dodd is a pied piper when it comes to bringing people together. By all these measures, I think Chris Dodd is the strongest candidate for our party and our country."

"People in New Hampshire and across our nation are hoping that the next president will embody the best of what our nation is all about. People all across the world are hoping that the next U.S. president will be someone who will restore our nation's rightful leadership among the family of nations. And people in the Democratic Party are hoping that their nominee can win," said Keefe. "Chris Dodd's record of leadership - on family issues, economic issues, national security and global issues, and in the Democratic Party - is second to none, and I think he brings qualities to this race that no other candidate can equal or surpass."

"Regardless of who is running or who is today's frontrunner, I am endorsing Chris Dodd because I simply think he is the best candidate and would make the best president. In fact, I have no doubt that he will make a great president, and I intend to do everything I can to help him win the Democratic nomination and the 2008 general election," he said.

Keefe, who advised Sen. John Kerry's 2004 primary campaign in New Hampshire, joins a growing team of leaders from across the state backing Chris Dodd for President.

Chris Dodd Reports Strong 4th Quarter Fundraising

Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd Reports Strong 4th Quarter Fundraising

WASHINGTON - Senator Chris Dodd, now a Democratic candidate for President, released fundraising results today for the final quarter of 2006 for his former Senate campaign showing more than $4.9 million cash on hand after raising $3.2 million for his Senate campaign account in the last 90 days of 2006.

"Having $4.9 million in my Senate account, I'm confident that the presidential campaign will have the resources to start this campaign well," said Dodd. "We will be competitive financially."

More than 95% of the funds raised by the Senate campaign in the last quarter of 2006 may be transferred to the presidential primary campaign. Senator Dodd announced he was running for President on January 11th.

Senator Chris Dodd's Statement Regarding Senator John Kerry's Decision not to Enter the 2008 Presidential Race

Senator Chris Dodd's Statement Regarding Senator John Kerry's Decision not to Enter the 2008 Presidential Race

WASHINGTON - The following is Senator Dodd's statement on Senator Kerry's decision not to enter the 2008 Presidential race -

"I have great respect for Senator Kerry, who is a valuable member of the Senate and has been a tremendous asset to our country. He served our country as a young man during a time of war and proudly carried the mantle of our party three years ago when he ran a tough and honorable race against a sitting President, again during a time of war.

"We traveled in the Middle East together last month and his belief that America can regain our leadership in the world as well as once again be respected and admired was apparent. He will continue to be an important voice on both the world stage and in the Senate."

Chris Dodd "Why I Am Running For President" Announcement e-mail

Chris Dodd sent this e-mail to supporters today inviting them to join his campaign for President.

Why I am running for President

"I am writing to you today to let you know I am an official candidate for President in 2008. I have filed papers today to make it official.

I am running for President of the United States of America because I believe that we have reached a defining moment in American history. America today is at grave risk of losing many things we've always taken for granted. Our leadership in the world, our role as an innovator, our hopes for a better life - are all threatened.

I'm an optimist who believes America can lead again. We can be respected and admired in the world again. We can create the kind of jobs here at home that allow people to buy a home, have decent health care, have decent retirement, and send their kids to college.

But, in order to get our nation back on track, we need something that has been lacking lately - leadership.

I believe I bring that kind of leadership to my candidacy for the Presidency. Let me give you just one example: long before children's issues were a priority in Washington, I brought forward the simple idea that parents shouldn't have to choose between the job they need, and the child they love. I fought for almost a decade to create the Family and Medical Leave Act, and today, over 50 million Americans have been able to make sure their family got the right start after the birth or adoption of a child. I was able to do that by being innovative about what the country needed, and then working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get something done.

I'm proud of that fact, and the other policies where I've been able to make a real difference - getting resources and funding to our nation's first responders, strengthening our military, supporting smart, pro-growth economic policies, reforming our nation's broken election laws, and, as I said earlier, fighting for our children's health, education, and well being.

I look forward to having a conversation with the American people, and that starts with you, your family, friends and neighbors.  Please take a moment to use the link below to encourage people you know to sign-up at ChrisDodd.com."

Chris Dodd Enters 2008 Presidential Race

The Chris Dodd campaign issued this press release announcing his decision to run for president.

Dodd Enters Presidential Race

For Immediate Release
January 11, 2007

WASHINGTON – Today Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd officially entered the 2008 Presidential race as a candidate for the Democratic nomination.  He will kick off his Presidential campaign with stops in Iowa and South Carolina this weekend.

The following is Senator Dodd’s statement –

“I am running for President of the United States of America because I believe that we have reached a defining moment in American history.  America today is at grave risk of losing many things we’ve always taken for granted.  Our leadership in the world, our role as innovator, our hopes for a better life – are all threatened. 

“There is a sense of urgency.  The country wants leadership. Iraq is the clearest example of the need for change.  Today the American people are listening to their elected officials in Washington debate the President’s new plan for Iraq.  In my view, the President’s new plan for Iraq is not simply a "surge" but rather an escalation of the Administration's current failed strategy that will needlessly place additional troops in harms way. 

“We cannot afford to continue the current failed military option.  The failure in Iraq has cost us in two ways.  It has cost us the lives of three thousand brave men and women, which is tragic.  But it has also diverted our attention away from trouble spots around the world, from the looming threat in Iran to N. Korea and most importantly, the greater war on terror. 

“But my decision to run for President is not just about the war in Iraq but about the urgent need to get America back on track. On every issue important to the American people – from the loss of jobs overseas, to the security of our ports, to retirement, health care, our schools – there’s been no leadership.  This Administration inherited a great deal of prosperity and goodwill six years ago, and they’ve squandered it. 

“But it’s not too late to make the world right once again.  We need to be optimistic and confident about our future.  I believe America can lead again.  We can be respected and admired in the world again.  We can create the kind of jobs again here at home that allow people to buy a home, have decent health care, have decent retirement, send their kids to college.

“It’s going to take one fundamental thing we’ve been lacking: leadership. 

“I believe I bring that kind of leadership to my candidacy for the Presidency.  I know how to get things done.  Let me give you just one example:  long before children’s issues were a priority in Washington, I brought forward the simple idea that parents shouldn’t have to choose between the child they love, and the job they need.  I fought for almost a decade to create the Family and Medical Leave Act, and today, over 50 million Americans have been able to make sure their family got the right start after the birth or adoption of a child.  I was able to do that by being innovative about what the country needed, and then working with both Democrats and Republicans to get something done. 

“I’m proud of the fact that the work I’ve done the past 25 years has made a real difference for America – getting resources and funding to our nations first responders; strengthening our military, supporting smart, pro-growth economic policies, reforming our nations broken election laws, and, as I said earlier, fighting for our children’s health, education, and well being.

“In 2008, I believe that this kind of experience is going to count.  We can’t afford four more years of on the job training in the Oval Office.  We need a President who’s ready to lead from day one, who has the ability to bring people together, and really work on these big issues at home and abroad.

“I say this not just as a public servant, but as a parent, the father of two young daughters – ages five and 22 months.  At some point soon, they are going to be part of a jury coming along that will judge us all. They’re going to want to know what we did on our watch to address issues like global warming, to create a world with more friends than enemies – when we had the chance. 

“Today, I have announced that I am running for President because I want to be able to say to them and all of our children that we did everything in our power to pass along a world where they can grow up to live as beautiful and meaningful a life as anyone can imagine.  I believe I have the leadership, experience, vision and optimism this nation needs to create a better future and a better world.”

Chris Dodd 2008 YouTube Announcement Transcript

Hi, my name is Chris Dodd and I wanted to introduce myself to you this afternoon, because I’m filing papers today formally to be a candidate for the Presidency. And I wanted to introduce myself to you. I’m a Senator from Connecticut. I’m going to be talking about the sense of urgency in the country that I think all of us care about. I’m going to be inviting you over the coming weeks and months to be a part of this discussion.

To upload online your own thoughts and ideas about the issues that you would like to see debated and talked about during the campaign. And from time to time I will respond as well, so you have a chance to engage in that conversation.

Again, there is a sense of urgency. The country wants leadership. I think we need to be optimistic and confident about our future and show the ability to bring people together to really work on these big, big issues at home and abroad. People are worried about the future, I am as well. That’s the real reason that I am running for the presidency. I’ve been in the Senate for a few years and I know how to do these things. I know what needs to be done.

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Latin America in the sixties. I care deeply about the United States role in the world and I’m terribly disappointed about what’s happened in Iraq over the last number of years and the fact that the President wants to continue the failed policy, instead of insisting that the Iraqis come together politically and providing them the help to achieve that.

We need to be worried about other problems around the globe, getting people back to work here at home, focusing on energy and heath care and education. Anyway, there are a lot of issues. I look forward to the conversation. I invite you to be a part of this and I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for paying attention.

New Chris Dodd For President Website Launched

Chris Dodd welcomed visitors to his new website with this message.

Welcome to ChrisDodd.com

Thanks for visiting my web site. I'd like this site to be an on-line gathering place for people who want to create a more secure, hopeful, and prosperous America -- and who would like to join with me and others to make that vision a reality.

This site is a place to learn more about the issues that are important to our nation's future -- issues like education, health care, national security, and the environment.

It's a place to discuss what's on your mind and what you believe are our nation's most important priorities.

It's a place to get involved in making a positive difference for our country. Civic participation is the hallmark of a democratic society, and I'd like this site to make it easier for you to participate in creating change for our common future.

Thank you again for taking the time to visit the site. I hope in the coming days and weeks you will check back often as we will be adding additional features like a blog, podcasts and videos.

Chris Dodd Statement Of Candidacy

Dodd To Announce Official Presidential Bid

Dodd To Announce Official Presidential Bid
January 10, 2007
By DAVID LIGHTMAN, The Hartford Courant

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Christopher Dodd will announce Thursday he is running for president, friends and supporters said today.

Dodd, after months of testing his support in key states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, has taken all the necessary steps to proceed with his campaign.

Hartford Courant Article

Chris Dodd Campaign Launches New Website

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2006

The Dodd Campaign Launched ChrisDodd.com with this press release.

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Chris Dodd’s campaign announced the launch of their new website, ChrisDodd.com.

The website, home to large amounts of information on Senator Dodd and his agenda, has some interactive features, with more to be announced over the next few weeks. Of particular note is the Dodd Corps, a way for people to organize over the internet and share ideas about how to better our nation.

"The internet is revolutionizing the American political process and we need to embrace it as a vehicle for promoting democracy. Websites and blogs are a great and important way for people across the country to come together, participate in the process and have their voices and opinions heard," said Dodd. "With the help of the internet, we are able to bring together a variety of committed Americans from all over the country who want to make real change in the future of this country.”

Another key feature of the website is the "DoddPod" which allows visitors to send songs, podcasts and their own personal audio message for possible placement on Senator Dodd's iPod. The chrisdodd.com website allows for personal messages up to 10 megabyte in size (or approximately 10 minutes) to be uploaded.

"I use my iPod when I travel and I’m excited about the possibility of listening to what Americans have to say directly to me through their personal messages, their podcasts suggestions or music they listen to,” said Dodd.

Currently, ChrisDodd.com contains the following items:

• The DoddPod
• The Dodd Corps
• Ten Actions You Can Take Now
• Senator Dodd on the Issues
• Support Chris Dodd
• Senator Dodd’s biography
• A media section, including news clips, press releases and a press kit
• Hi-Res images of Senator Dodd

The website will continue to unveil new features in the weeks ahead, including Senator Dodd’s blog, integration with the photo sharing site Flickr.com, web-based videos and more.