Chris Dodd for President

The freedom to pursue a college education and be released from dependency on foreign fuels are two of Democratic presidential hopeful Christopher Dodd’s aspirations for the future of the United States.

And for his two little girls.

“I’m the only candidate that gets mail from the American Association of Retired Persons and diaper service,” said Dodd, 63, Friday evening at Muscatine Community College.

Dodd of Connecticut, is a senior Democratic leader in the United States Senate and known for bringing attention to children’s issues.

His daughter Grace, 5, was born two days after the Sept. 11, 2001 Terrorists Attacks on the United States East Coast.

He and his wife Jackie have another daughter, Christina, 2. Dodd said his daughters and future generations are on his mind as he considers the future of the economy and the environment.

“I want to see our country do better,” said Dodd. “A lot of people say our best days are behind us. I don’t believe that.” . . .

Likening a pact of support for veterans and soldiers’ families to the basic training pledge never to leave a buddy on the battlefield, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., committed never to forget veterans if elected the next president of the United States.

“He’s never forgotten the veterans, and that’s one of the reasons he’s delighted you’re here, so he can say thank-you,” said Rep. Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown, in introducing the presidential candidate to Iowa Veterans Home residents during a tour of the facility Thursday.

“I’m very impressed. Wonderful opportunities are being afforded to veterans here,” Dodd said.

The senator, who served in the Peace Corps and National Guard, said he authored legislation creating the Family Medical Leave Act and has recently proposed six months of unpaid leave for caregivers of military soldiers returning from active duty.

“I think the stress coming back from Iraq is going to be profound,” he said. “When people say they’re concerned about veterans, I’m glad to hear it, but show me.”

“The military recruits a soldier, but it retains a family,” he added, noting that support for soldiers’ families is critical to maintaining the military’s strength.

Dodd also expressed a perspective on the Iraq war, volunteerism and defending the Constitution, among other issues.

“My life-changing experiences were as a volunteer,” he said. “... I want every person in the country to have the chance to serve this country.” . . .

The wife of presidential hopeful Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., told a group of girls in Ames on Tuesday they were "courageous" for fighting their addictions to drugs and alcohol, substances she said she had never in her life braved.

The girls, ages 14 to 17, were sent to live temporarily at the Seven-12 House, part of Youth and Shelter Services on Burnett Avenue in Ames, after having failed outpatient treatment for abusing substances ranging from methamphetamine and crack cocaine to alcohol and marijuana.

"They used to say cocaine was not an addictive drug," Jackie Dodd said, referring to her college debate days when she said fellow debaters took the substance as a performance enhancer, only to later find they had trouble kicking the habit.

Beginning at the Jacobson Center on Kellogg Avenue, YSS CEO George Belitsos took Dodd and two campaign aides on a tour of YSS buildings around downtown Ames.

The group visited the Rosedale Shelter, also on Burnett Avenue, which provides refuge for youth who have run away from home, are homeless or have other familial or legal issues in need of attention.

The group made its final stop before returning to the Jacobson Center at the Youth Recovery House, on Kellogg Avenue, the boys' equivalent of the girls' Seven-12 alcohol and drug addiction recovery house.

Belitsos gave Dodd the tour in part to promote the message of the Every Child Matters nonprofit organization, which aims to stress the importance of childhood education to politicians.

"We're trying to make the candidates and their spouses aware that youth need to be paid more attention to," he said.

Dodd said she became interested in YSS after hearing that Gov. Chet Culver and his wife, Mari donated the proceeds raised at the governor's inauguration ceremony to YSS.

Dodd said the tour had particular importance to her because of her husband's advocacy on behalf of children's issues in his years in the Senate.

THE CANDIDATE: U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, a Democrat.

THE PLACE: The Iowa State Fair.

THE NEWS: Dodd didn’t plow much new policy ground during his first-ever visit to the Iowa State Fair. He marveled at the number of food offerings on a stick as he stood with his wife, Jackie, and their young daughters Christina and Grace.

Dodd reiterated his vow to make college more affordable if he’s elected president. He would offer federal Pell Grants, traditionally for low-income students, to middle-class students. And Dodd said he would offer matching grants to states with the goal of making community college tuition-free.

“In the Dodd administration, higher education will not be linked to the amount of money you have in your pocket,” Dodd told a small group who gathered to hear his fairgrounds remarks.

OTHER NEWS: Dodd is among several lesser-known hopefuls who are vying to get noticed by Democratic voters. He argues the race is far from settled.

“I don’t think the race has been decided,” Dodd said. “I think Iowans want to make up their own minds.”

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd pitched his plan to expand public service programs and lower college tuition costs Monday during his turn atop The Des Moines Register's soapbox at the Iowa State Fair.

THE RACE: Dodd, a Democrat overshadowed by the larger and better-financed campaigns of Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, insisted that he could still win the race. Dodd said his campaign planned to have eight offices open and 60 staff members in Iowa by Sept. 5.

ISSUES: A key theme of Dodd's 20-minute speech was education. He pledged to expand the federal government's Pell Grant program, make community college tuition free through a federal matching grant with states, and get rid of subsidies for private banks that charge high interest rates on loans.

KEY MESSAGE: Dodd painted his would-be administration as a chance to restore respect for the United States abroad and promote involvement in public service programs, such as AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. He repeatedly mentioned the middle class as a group that needed help paying for college and health care. . . .