The man from the land of steady habits seems more than comfortable with the slow, yet steady, pace of his presidential campaign.
He appears particularly at ease with small gatherings of voters, whether at a diner or a private house party. And it seems he is received best by those who have the opportunity to casually talk with him about issues most important to them.
"He really should be doing more of these small events," said Carolyn Rainer of Nelson, N.H., a longtime friend of Dodd's who hosted a private party for the senator Thursday night at her home. "I can't imagine anyone not liking him after they get the chance to meet him."
Rainer and her husband, Bill, both of whom first met Dodd while living in Greenwich, invited about 80 friends to meet the presidential candidate.
Tom Tolman, a friend of the Rainers who offered to help with the party, said although he hadn't decided who to support in the January primary, he could see himself voting for Dodd.
"I could see myself doing that based on the fact that Bill and Carolyn are supporting him," Tolman said. "They have a pretty good sense about these things."
But Dodd is also picking up interest in his message as well. This trip, his 16th to the Granite State, focused on education. During an early stop at Manchester Community Technical College, Dodd unveiled his plan to lower the cost of college education -- a message 21-year-old Jessica Bright of Merrimack liked.
"I was leaning towards (New York Sen.) Hillary (Clinton), but I might have to change my mind now," she said Thursday after hearing Dodd's proposal. "I think his education plan is remarkable, and I agree with him that it is the most important issue." . . .
