2008.01.01: January 1, 2008: Headlines: Figures: COS - Dominican Republic: Politics: Congress: Election2008 - Dodd: Des Moines Register: Dodd laments caucuses' money, celebrity focus
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2008.01.01: January 1, 2008: Headlines: Figures: COS - Dominican Republic: Politics: Congress: Election2008 - Dodd: Des Moines Register: Dodd laments caucuses' money, celebrity focus
Dodd laments caucuses' money, celebrity focus
"We hear a lot of talk about firing people up and who can turn up the heat," he said in what appeared to be a jab at Barack Obama and John Edwards, two of his rivals. "If it's just about fighting, we've had enough of that - demonizing each other, finger-pointing at each other, blame game going on - and the American people are sitting back and wondering if we can get anything done again here," Dodd said. The U.S. senator from Connecticut has trailed far behind in the polls. In his remarks here and in an interview, he lamented the emphasis on the leading Democratic candidates' money and celebrity status. He warned that may not be good for Iowa's first-in-the-nation future. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic in the 1960's.
Dodd laments caucuses' money, celebrity focus
Dodd laments caucuses' money, celebrity focus
By JANE NORMAN • REGISTER WASHINGTON BUREAU • January 1, 2008
Oelwein, Ia. - Sen. Chris Dodd vowed Monday to bring together a nation divided by partisanship if he is elected president. He asked for Iowans' support in their Democratic caucuses.
"We hear a lot of talk about firing people up and who can turn up the heat," he said in what appeared to be a jab at Barack Obama and John Edwards, two of his rivals. "If it's just about fighting, we've had enough of that - demonizing each other, finger-pointing at each other, blame game going on - and the American people are sitting back and wondering if we can get anything done again here," Dodd said.
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The U.S. senator from Connecticut has trailed far behind in the polls. In his remarks here and in an interview, he lamented the emphasis on the leading Democratic candidates' money and celebrity status. He warned that may not be good for Iowa's first-in-the-nation future.
Iowa is known as a place where candidates without a big campaign treasury or a national reputation can work hard and possibly succeed, he said. If that is no longer the case, it might boost attempts to change the structure of the primary system already being pushed by some in Congress, he added.
"I'll never be able to do this again," he said of his Iowa campaign, during which he gained attention by moving his family to Des Moines. "After Iowa, it all goes airborne, so to speak."
Dodd told a crowd of about 40 at Luigi's Restaurant and Lounge here that Republican candidate Mike Huckabee was able to break out of the pack in Iowa and take a lead despite being relatively unknown.
"It wasn't the national media; Iowans said he was important," Dodd said.
Dodd is a on a "caucus for results" bus tour also scheduled for Waverly, Waterloo and Dubuque today.
There were firm supporters at the Oelwein event as well as those still looking for a candidate to support.
"I am undecided right now," said Linda Ridihalgh, 62, of Oelwein, who said she likely will not decide until her caucus.
Like many Iowa Democrats, Ridihalgh has had the opportunity to see several candidates in person, as well as former President Bill Clinton, but she's still wavering.
"I'm looking for somebody who can change the direction of our country, and get it back on track," she said.
But Howard and Rosie Bird of Oelwein said Dodd is their candidate, in part because of his longtime experience with foreign policy issues, although they also are impressed with the backgrounds of Joe Biden and Bill Richardson, both also seen as bottom tier candidates.
"I feel safer with these bottom three, especially Chris Dodd," said Rosie Bird.
Reporter Jane Norman can be reached at (202) 906-8137 or jnorman@dmreg.com
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Headlines: January, 2008; RPCV Chris Dodd (Dominican Republic); Figures; Peace Corps Dominican Republic; Directory of Dominican Republic RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Dominican Republic RPCVs; Politics; Congress; Election2008 - Dodd; Connecticut
When this story was posted in January 2008, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Dodd vows to filibuster Surveillance Act Senator Chris Dodd vowed to filibuster the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that helped this administration violate the civil liberties of Americans. "It is time to say: No more. No more trampling on our Constitution. No more excusing those who violate the rule of law. These are fundamental, basic, eternal principles. They have been around, some of them, for as long as the Magna Carta. They are enduring. What they are not is temporary. And what we do not do in a time where our country is at risk is abandon them." |
| What is the greatest threat facing us now? "People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing? I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there - ones that we can take advantage of?" Read more. |
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Story Source: Des Moines Register
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