Chris Dodd for President

US Senator Chris Dodd met with environmental activists today, telling them that he would use the clout of the presidency to make energy and the environment key issues.

"The power of the presidency is not just the regulations in the agencies you can impose, but it is also the 'bully pulpit' and the example you can set," Dodd said to about 50 people at the Sierra Club's New Hampshire headquarters.

Dodd has among the most aggressive energy plans of all the presidential candidates. He wants to set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. In order to accomplish this he would tax companies based on how much carbon pollution they produce. . . .

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Presidential hopeful Chris Dodd told environmental activists they could usurp the title of "the greatest generation" from World War II veterans by saving the planet.

"How about a future generation talking about us turning this planet into a paradise?" said Dodd, a veteran of the U.S. Senate. "We've done so much damage in such a short time. ... This is not irreversible. We can all make a difference."

Dodd earlier this year split from his Democratic presidential rivals and proposed to tax corporations for their carbon dioxide emissions. He is seeking a steep increase in auto fuel economy standards to 50 miles per gallon by 2017 and requiring the government to use clean-energy vehicles.

Activists have hailed it as a model. Dodd's proposal sets a goal of reducing 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The tax revenue, which he estimates at about $50 billion annually, would be used to develop renewable energies and to reduce prices for consumer products. . . .

U.S. senator and presidential hopeful Christopher Dodd drew cheers at a local house party yesterday while touting his ideas to withdraw from Iraq, reform health care and expand service volunteer groups in the country.

Citing the need for change because the country "has taken a detour in many areas," Dodd cautioned that if Democrats aren't able to demonstrate an ability to effect change, the shift experienced in 2006 elections will be short-lived.

"This could happen in 2008," Dodd said while fielding questions at Selectman Elizabeth Roth's home during the first day of a two-day tour through the state. "We're going to see a shift if we don't bring in positive ideas."

He also said he'd soon advocate for stronger legislation to end funding for U.S. troops in Iraq past March 2008, saying that the country shouldn't have to wait until the Bush administration ends before troops can come home. . . .

Nearly 300 people attended a blended musical performance-political rally Saturday in Carroll with iconic singer-songwriter Paul Simon and Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd.

As Dodd, a veteran U.S. senator from Connecticut, finished his brief stump speech in the band shell at Graham Park around 10 a.m., Simon waited in the wings, slowly strumming his acoustic guitar and softly singing as he prepared for the performance.

Simon referred to Dodd, his longtime friend, as a man "with a lot of wisdom."

"I'm actually Art Garfunkel on weekends," Dodd joked as he started his remarks. . . .