Chris Dodd for President

T.M. Lindsey of the Iowa Independent has a great piece up today on how key endorsement by Iowa's veterans are shaking out. Perhaps not surprisingly, Chris Dodd -- the one candidate who's worn our nation's uniform in military service -- has been a favorite of Iowa veterans.

Choosing a candidate to support was not an easy decision for most of the groups' members, including [Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus] IDVC Chair Bob Krause, who was originally leaning toward Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, but ended up endorsing Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut. "While we do have an excellent field of candidates, I'm caucusing for Chris Dodd because I trust him more than any other candidate to lead the nation when the unexpected occurs and to deliver results for his fellow veterans," Krause said in a statement.

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Similar to Kerry, who was a decorated Vietnam War veteran, Krause was also swayed by the fact that Dodd is the only Democratic candidate who has served in the military (U.S. Army Reserves and Army National Guard: 1969-1975). "As a 28-year veteran of the Army Reserves, I know we need a commander-in-chief who is ready to take on the job from day one," Krause said in a statement. "He will provide the leadership to restore America's security and good name around the world, as well as produce results on our challenges at home."

Dodd's veteran status and firsthand knowledge of veterans' issues also influenced Terry K. Phillips, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War, and Joe Stutler, an Army veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. "I was so impressed with his plan being the most comprehensive in solving the problems facing veterans that I agreed to serve as the state veteran coordinator for the Dodd campaign," Phillips told the Iowa Independent.

Stutler echoed Phillips' remarks and noted Dodd's active support of the IDVC. "Not only does Dodd support veterans' issues, but he's supported the IDVC every time we've asked him." Stutler had made a commitment to himself that he would support whoever showed up to the IDVC Presidential Extravaganza in August, and his decision was made for him when Dodd was the only presidential candidate who showed up to speak at the event. (Emphasis added)

Senator Dodd, author of the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act, today urged President Bush to sign a bill he authored which would allow the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave while they help their loved ones recover. The bill was passed by both chambers and was sent to the President nearly 10 days ago, on December 14, 2007.

"Our wounded servicemen and women and their families shouldn't have the additional worry of losing their job while caring for their loved one who risked their safety for our country. This measure will allow loved ones to care for our warriors in their time of need, helping troops recover from serious war injuries, and preserving critical family bonds. In all of the debates about funding the war, ending the war and continuing the war, we cannot lose sight of the fact that there are servicemen and women continually sacrificing so much for all of us."

Dodd's legislation, which received significant bipartisan support, will implement a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors. In addition to Sen. Dodd's original FMLA legislation, Dodd recently introduced the Family Leave Insurance Act of 2007, legislation that will provide paid leave to workers for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a child, spouse or parent with a serious illness or to care for their own serious illness. Senator Dodd has been a long-time advocate for the health and safety of U.S. troops. From leading the effort to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the safety equipment they need, to fighting to restore National Guard readiness, Dodd has worked tirelessly on behalf of American servicemen and women.

Senator Dodd has a guest post on VetVoice, a blog by VoteVets.org that launched today. The post is on Dodd's veterans policy. Go read it at VetVoice.com.

You can also read Dodd's post, titled "A Contract Honored: My Veterans Policy," by clicking Read More below.

Chris Dodd today issued the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:

"I join my fellow Americans today in taking a moment to pause and give thanks to all of our men and women who have served in uniform, and for those that are protecting our country today. These individuals have made great sacrifices in order to defend our values and our nation, and without their service America would not be the great nation that it is today. Over the past seven years, the Administration has echoed my sentiments in praising our veterans, but their rhetoric has rung eerily hallow, as evidenced by their failure to provide veterans with the care and services that they need and deserve. I have been fighting for these priorities for over a quarter of a century and as President, I pledge to renew America's contract with veterans and once again make the well-being and health of these individuals what it ought to be - a top priority."

Dodd, who served in the National Guard and Army Reserve, unveiled his veterans plan earlier this week in events across Iowa. Dodd's plan will:

• Guarantee the timely delivery of high-quality medical care and disability benefits
• Support our military families through extended Family and Medical Leave
• Support our military families through extended care
• Ensure veterans get the educational benefits they were promised and allow them to pass on unused benefits to their families

More information can be found at www.chrisdodd.com/veterans.

Yesterday, Senator Dodd announced his veterans plan, which promises to make the safety and well-being of our veterans a top priority in his administration.

Dodd served in the National Guard and Army Reserve, and has a strong record of fighting for our nation's servicemen and women.

The campaign also released the names of New Hampshire Veterans supporting Chris Dodd.

Patrick Clark of Tilton will serve as the Chairman of Veterans of Dodd.

Other veterans include: Leo Balzano (Nashua), Kathryn Braun (Fremont), Jim Craig (Manchester), Michael Duclos (Rochester), Peter Hope (Grantham), State Representative Frank Sullivan (Manchester), Former State Representative Cynthia Sweeney (Charlestown), and Bill Trumble (Madbury).