Chris Dodd for President

This evening Senator Dodd spoke to a big crowd packed into the Blue Strawberry in Cedar Rapids. The temperatures were in single digits outside, but the crowd was fired up to hear Chris Dodd speak about why he's running for President and the burden that rests with Iowa's caucus-going Democrats to help shape the future of our country with their selection Thursday night.

Senator Dodd was introduced first by IAFF President Harold Schaitberger and his wife, Jackie.

Senator Dodd's Caucus for Results stump speech.

Here's the video of Senator Dodd talking at the Caucus for Results tour rally in Des Moines, at our campaign headquarters. The event was moved partially inside as snow fell outside - you can see it coming down behind Senator Dodd while he speaks. Dodd was introduced by his wife Jackie, International Association of Fire Fighters President Harold Schaitberger, and John Tekippe, President of IAFF Local #4 in Des Moines.

Stay tuned for more updates from Iowa as the mobilization for Chris Dodd continues to the caucus.

Here's a new video from the International Association of Fire Fighters efforts in support of Chris Dodd in Iowa. In the video IAFF President Harold Schaitberger, IAFF member and State Senator Jeff Danielson, and many other fire fighters talk about why they support Chris Dodd for President and how the IAFF are working for a Dodd victory.

Mark Pazniokas of the Hartford Courant has a long piece on Senator Dodd's campaign in Iowa and how he arrived here through a long career of public service.

At each stop, Dodd spends at least an hour, campaigning with an energy and a commitment not required since he first ran for Congress in 1974.

"If you are uncomfortable about doing this, you are in a lot of trouble," Dodd said on the ride to Pella, an old Dutch settlement about 40 miles southeast of Des Moines. "You can't fake it here."

Dodd is testing the proposition that a congressional record, foreign-policy expertise, Irish charm, one major union endorsement and tireless, retail politics can compete with the money and celebrity of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Pazniokas also takes a serious look at how the International Association of Fire Fighters is working to help get Chris Dodd elected. Here's IAFF President Harold Schatiberger talking about how Iowa's fire fighters are going to help deliver the state to Dodd:

"What happens inside those caucuses between the first count and the second count, that's what I call something between sumo wrestling and full-contact politics," Schaitberger said. "It's not like going into a voting booth and pushing a lever."

The IAFF has a program that encourages each member to show up with 10 friends for Dodd. Schaitberger, who plans two more trips to Iowa in coming weeks, said his Iowa members have mastered the system.

"Firefighters are all alpha dogs. They are all very competitive," he said. "They'll pay attention to the rules. They'll understand the rules."

Praise doesn't just come from those who are already on board with the Dodd Squad. Iowa legislator Mark Davitt is impressed with Dodd's campaign style:

"He walked out with more pledge cards than I've seen signed before," Davitt said.

Davitt said Dodd's experience came across during a speech, then an hour of wide-ranging questions.

"He really knows what he is talking about on these issues, and people were moved by it," he said.

"As we approach the Iowa caucus, the coverage is picking up and we'll see more and more articles about the strength of the Dodd campaign's organization and the hard-work and commitment Chris Dodd has brought to this campaign. To wit, Pazniokas cites Dodd saying, "But you know, what was that wonderful line of Thomas Edison's carved on a bench where he lived? 'If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.'"

Here's the latest video blog from the Fire Fighters for Dodd Bus Tour: