January 11, 2007
Dodd: Not Time For "Training Wheels"
Sen. ChrisDodd (D-CT) announced earlier this morning his intention to run for WH '08 and made himself available for an early morning interview for us as well. First question -- "why him": "People are looking for leadership." He went on to maintain that he has a "demonsrated ability" to get things done and that this time, "experience does matter."
He noted his years of Senate service (25+ years), acknowledging that in past presidentials, that senate service would have been a liability. But, "this time around ... is not the time for training wheels." He noted that the current administration is an example of what happens when you elect a president who needs "on the job training." More Dodd: "I don't have a niche in this particular thing; I realize I'm less well-known but 12 months is more than 12 lifetimes."
Dodd said the last few months of exploring in the key states have gone well. "I know the difference between a courtesy" and serious interest. Dodd notes he begins with a little less than $5M on hand and that he's got some key commitments from folks in IA, NH and SC. He admitted that he hasn't "done as much" in NV.
As for the issue of the moment, Dodd was a bit critical of his Cong. Dem colleagues, though he didn't call them out by name. Dodd: "I'm very much for the idea of putting everything else aside right now." Dodd wants a binding resolution on sending more troops. "I think non-binding resolutions ... is not what the people said last November. ... We ought to be voting on this. Nothing is more important now than this."
Dodd argues that since the Oct. 2002 resolution, the justifacation on Iraq has changed and therefore a new binding resolution is necessary. He worries that if it's not done before the additional troops are sent over, then nothing can be done by Congress. "Then you'll be voting on whether to support the troops on the ground, that's a very different debate. ... I would never vote to cut off support to kids on the ground." When pressed for asking how Congress could do this, he conceded he would have to go back and "procedurally" see how to do it. But the bottom line is that he believes if nothing is done now by Congress now before the troops are sent over, then nothing can be done after because then it becomes a vote on whether to support the troops in combat.
Dodd's headed to IA tonight for Gov. Chet Culver's (D) inauguration. He'll do "Meet" on Sunday; plans a rally in CT next week (details to come) followed by a NH trip. Among his aides who have the most WH campaign experience: '04 Kerry manager Jim Jordan and ex-Clinton WH political dir. Doug Sosnick. Dodd's lost just one election, sort of, a Senate Dem caucus election to Tom Daschle in late '94. He lost by one vote. And, yes, he knows the "vote" he lost. As he said, he's Irish, he may forgive, but he'll never forget. As for actual elections, he's won 8 times, five SEN races and 3 House races [CHUCK TODD].
Posted at 09:23 AM
Comments
So if it's not time for training wheels, it's time for Depends?
Gene | 01.11.07 11:37 AM
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