Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd today signed a pledge from the Democratic Parties of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina to honor their status as the early primary and caucus states as established by the Democratic National Committee’s 2008 nominating calendar. Dodd reaffirmed his belief in the power of retail politics and the serious thought and weight that citizens of these states put into their consideration of the candidates.
“I believe that Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada offer a cross section of America and allow for voters to probe the experience and vision of candidates in a meaningful way,” said Dodd. “In this year, where the national media focus seems to be on celebrity and bank accounts, the role of these states is more important than ever. I am committed to the DNC nominating calendar and preserving the first in the nation status of Iowa and New Hampshire.”
The full pledge is below:
HEREAS, Over a year ago, the Democratic National Committee established a 2008 nominating calendar;
WHEREAS, this calendar honors the racial, ethnic, economic and geographic diversity of our party and our country;
WHEREAS, the DNC also honored the traditional role of retail politics early in the nominating process, to insure that money alone will not determine our presidential nominee;
WHEREAS, it is the desire of Presidential campaigns, the DNC, the states and the American people to bring finality, predictability and common sense to the nominating calendar.
THEREFORE, I, Christopher J. Dodd, Democratic Candidate for President, pledge I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, as “campaigning” is defined by rules and regulations of the DNC.
Christopher J. Dodd
Comments
It's my understanding that the DNC is operating under rules adopted when Terry McAuliff was still chair. So, it seems a bit strange, now that McAuliff is the chair of the Clinton Campaign, that he's not more supportive of the program laid out by the DNC.
But then, the Clinton Campaign can't seem to follow the rules on the Bluehampshire blog either. Justice Anthony Kennedy seems to have good reason to argue that how the rule of law works is poorly understood.
Dear Dodd campaign: I am a Florida Democrat. I have voted in every election I was eligible to vote in since I was 18, and I have NEVER voted for a Republican.
Chris Dodd was shaping up to be my candidate in the primaries...I loved his plans for Iraq and Immigration especially.
I am just crushed that he has signed this pledge. The early primary in Florida was a machination of our Republican Legislature; they knew how much more strict the DNC primary penalties would be and now their plan to screw us Democrats ONCE AGAIN is coming to fruition.
Our voices won't be heard in the Democratic Primaries, and those of us who support the Chris Dodds and Bill Richardsons and Joe Bidens in this race will never be able to send that message to the Hillary Clintons and Barak Obamas.
So I may not vote at all in the next election, or vote Republican...if you can't beat them, join them...
Sincerely and regretfully yours,
Julie Latimer
Just wanted to congratulate Senator Dodd in taking the stand against the large states that want to jump ahead in the primaries. As a Florida Democrat I am embarrassed and angry that the Florida Democratic Party is trying to hijack the primary election season. In their zeal to become more relevant, which would not be an issue if voters stopped acting like lemmings and thought for themselves and the local leadership would stop frightening the Party members into believing that it is so important to have a nominee so early, Florida Democrats are undermining the best thing that has happened to the national party in a very long time - the ascension of Dr. Howard Dean to the Chair of the Party. He has done more for the Party in two years than Terry McAuwful did his entire tenure.
So thank you Senator Dodd for taking this stand, along with the others who have signed the pledge.