Chris Dodd for President

In seven hours, the doors to Democratic precincts around Iowa will close and the caucus will begin. After a year plus of campaigning around the country, polls, media appearances, major policy differences, and minor gaffes actual Democratic voters will have their first chance to tell the nation and the world what they think about our Presidential candidates. This is it.

Right now, the last hours of the mobilization for Chris Dodd in Iowa are taking place. Calls are going out to our supporters from volunteers in our Des Moines phone bank - making sure that every Dodd voter makes it to tonight's caucus. Precinct captains are getting the final run down of the process and the case they'll be making to their neighbors tonight when the caucus doors close. We are ready for this.

I've been in Iowa for over a week and for the second time I'm fighting off a nasty head cold. Pretty much everyone on the campaign is in the same place - working long hours in the cold, not getting enough sleep, and having a campaign office diet with far too many doughnuts and slices of pizza and not enough leafy greens puts your immune situation at risk. But I haven't heard anyone complain yet - we're trying to get our next President elected and there will be time to rest when Chris Dodd is in the Oval Office, steering our ship of state.

One thing is clear: nothing is final yet. Iowans are still making up their minds and will be doing so well into the caucus tonight.

Last night I went to the Caucus for Results rally in Ottumwa. Afterwards I got to speak with two undecided voters. They liked what they saw with Senator Dodd, but wanted to hear more about him. As much as I enjoy what I do on this blog and with the online community, getting to sit face to face with two Democratic caucus goers twenty-four hours before they would take their stand and make my case for Chris Dodd was exactly how I wanted to close this part of the campaign. Making the case, winning people over, or at least leaving them with a moment that they can turn to when they decide who to caucus for tonight in Ottumwa.

Chris Dodd has earned support in Iowa and praise online. The International Association of Fire Fighters and their loyal members will be standing with Dodd tonight - their support is visible throughout the state and will be one of the biggest factors for our success tonight. Soon enough, we shall know who is joining them to support Chris Dodd and give him a ticket out of Iowa and on to New Hampshire.

I can't wait to start hearing the results. I'll be keeping the blog up to date with news and events throughout the day.