Chris Dodd - Experience Matters

Chris Dodd appeared Sunday Night on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.

Asked how he would rise above the wide field of contenders, Dodd talked about his experience, his 26 years in the Senate, and said that he has been a leader on domestic and foreign problems. Dodd said that he has been involved in every foreign policy and domestic debate involving families and children since coming to Congress.

Dodd said that at this stage of the race for the 2002 nomination, Bill Clinton was well behind, and there was a long time to go between now and the first vote just under 12 months away.

Asked about the support of fellow nutmegger Joe Lieberman who has not ruled out endorsing a Republican for President, Dodd said that he believed that Lieberman would eventually be in his corner.

Chris Dodd On Hardball

Chris Dodd appeared last week on Hardball with Chris Matthews, just prior to the State of the Union Address by President Bush. Dodd talks about the need to get agreement health care, and about the priorities on energy.

Congress Must Approve Troops - Dodd

Chris Dodd has introduced a bill to the Congress to cap the number of troops to Iraq and stop any more troops being sent without the explicit approval by Congress.

"Senator Dodd's bill does not seek to cut off funding for American troops currently in harms way. Rather, it argues that the 2002 resolution has run its course. If the President wants to escalate our military commitment to Iraq and if the President wants to send more troops into the center of a civil war, then the President must make that case to the United States Congress and let the full Congress vote on the merits of such a plan."

Read the statement or have a look at the draft bill here.

Dodd on Fox Today & LiveBlog 4.15PM

Chris Dodd will appear on Fox News today with Bill Hemmer.

Also, in the first truly professional online nomination campaign, Dodd won't be left behind. He will be on Firedoglake this afternoon, starting at 4.15pm (ET). Join in the conversation here.

Dodd travels to New Hampshire

Chris Dodd continued his tour to crucial early states by visiting New Hampshire over the weekend. This follows on from his trips to Iowa and South Carolina last week.

Having already spent time in New Hampshire in the last year, Dodd appeared early on Saturday morning in Nashua to the news that Hillary Clinton had thrown her hat in the ring. Given that Clinton has hardly been seen recently in New Hampshire, this probably didn't bother him except for the unwelcome media distraction.

Dodd travelled to Charlestown and Dartmouth College on Sunday where he asked voters to give him a chance, even though there are higher profile candidates running.

Dodd on Meet the Press

Chris Dodd appeared on Meet the Press with Tim Russert this morning to discuss President's Bush's plan to escalate US involvement in Iraq.

Also appearing this morning were Senators Chuck Hagel, Joe Lieberman and Jon Kyl.

Dodd joined Hagel on the opposing side of the President's plan.

Dodd warned that the troop build up will lead to more of the same. He said that top military people have concluded that America should be focussing on politics and robust diplomacy.

Sending more troops to a city that is being ripped apart is asking for a disaster, Dodd said.

Dodd opposes more troops for Iraq

Chris Dodd has stated to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the President Bush plan for Iraq is an "...unsound strategy and an unsure purpose."

Dodd is calling for a political solution, and says that diplomacy is the only weapon America has left. Dodd wants US troops out of the urban centers where sectarian conflict is so strong. He describes US troops in these areas as being "cannon fodder".

Read Dodd's prepared remarks here.

Dodd visits Iowa

Chris Dodd has made a visit to crucial state Iowa and will follow with a trip to South Carolina this weekend.

This is Dodd's third trip to Iowa since November 2004. He has already been to New Hampshire three times.

Dodd considers that although the polls suggest there are leading candidates in Clinton, Obama and Edwards, the race for the Democratic Nomination is wide open. Dodd believes that a lot of Democrats have yet to make a commitment to a candidate.

Dodd announces a run for President

Chris Dodd, Senator for Connecticut, has announced this morning that he will be attempting to secure the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States.

Dodd was speaking to Imus in the Morning and said that he would be filing the paperwork to run for President today.

Chris Dodd said that he knows how to do this, knows what has to be done, and is "...going to get out and make my case."

Dodd, 62, will be travelling to key state Iowa today, followed by a trip to South Carolina on the weekend.

The campaign funds for Chris Dodd are reported to be over $2million, and he is expected to be able to raise more. Dodd has good ties to labour unions, and has spent a good deal of time campaigning and fundraising for other Democrat candidates.

He is now a critic of the war in Iraq, and opposes more US troops being sent there. Chris Dodd is also in favour of gun control and is considered liberal on immigration issues.

Although his polling numbers are currently low, he is considered by Kathy Sullivan, the Chairwoman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, as being "...very smart. He's also very articulate. And I think he might have the sharpest wit of anyone in the field."

Senator Chris Dodd recently took over as Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.