Chris Dodd for President

There is only one month left before the New Hampshire Presidential Primary on January 8, 2008.

Here are eight reasons to vote for Dodd in 08 on the 8th:

1) Ending the War in Iraq - Chris Dodd believes the time for giving President Bush blank checks is over and that we set a firm deadline tied to funding to begin safely redeploying U.S. combat troops out of Iraq, beginning immediately and completed within one year.

2) Restoring the Constitution - Chris Dodd will restore our Constitution on his first day during his first hour in the Oval Office. He would restore habeas corpus, close Guantanamo Bay, and require the US to live up to the Geneva Conventions.

3) Health Care - As President, Chris Dodd will offer high-quality universal health care to every American regardless of their job status, previous medical conditions or ability to pay. Dodd's plan ensures that all Americans will have quality, affordable health coverage by creating a health insurance marketplace called Universal HealthMart that is based on, and parallel to, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. Insurance purchased in Universal HealthMart will follow individuals, not jobs ensuring that no one will lose their health care by changing jobs or moving to a different part of the country. Finally, the Dodd Health Care plan will phase in universal, affordable coverage to all Americans over the course of four years.

4) Global Warming - From a Corporate Carbon Tax that makes polluters pay to his call for historic fuel efficiency standards that break America's dependence on Middle East oil by 2015, Chris Dodd is the only candidate in the field with a plan to make America the world leader on climate change and bring energy costs down for families and businesses.

More reactions from a day of very intense foreign affairs and homeland security related news. Senator Chris Dodd released the following statement in reaction to reports that the Bush Administration is asking Congress for less than half of the $3.2 billion the Department of Homeland Security had requested to help states and cities protect against a terrorist attack.

"It's astounding that at the same time the President is calling for more money for his war that has made this country more vulnerable, he is proposing to slash funding for the first line of defense here at home. With less than what we are spending each week in Iraq, we could fully fund what the Department of Homeland Security said was needed for state and local homeland security programs. Instead of funding distractions from our fight against global terrorism, we should be funding the state and local programs that are actually protecting the American people everyday."

Spencer Ackerman of TPM Muckraker reported earlier today that the Bush administration has set policies for permanent US bases in Iraq, as well as other key issues like political benchmarks. Dodd campaign Communications Director issued this statement on Senator Dodd's position on permanent bases in Iraq:

Frankly, it’s hard to believe that the Administration is just beginning to figure out what the future bilateral relationship with Iraq should look like after more than four years of military occupation. But, this declaration of principles is more notable for what it doesn’t say than what it does. It does not require Iraqi leaders to make substantive progress on their political benchmarks nor does it end US military involvement in Iraq. Indeed, Senator Dodd is fearful that the lack of clarity on the long-term presence will be used as a justification by this Administration for a permanent military presence in Iraq, at precisely the time when we should be declaring the opposite. In a Dodd Adminsitration, there will be no permanent bases in Iraq.

Greg Sarget at TPM Election Central has more.

There's more Dodd-related goodness coming out of the Des Moines Register...

Senator Dodd has an op-ed titled "Restore our Constitution, U.S. standing in world." From the op-ed:

It starts with restoring America's security and standing in the world by ending the war in Iraq. It's not enough to wait until 2009 - that's why I've been at the front of the fight to set a firm deadline and end the funding for this failed policy. But if President Bush or this Congress does not end this war, then as the next president, I will immediately begin redeploying our troops safely and securely and finish the job within eight to 10 months. I will also strengthen our security with a return to diplomacy and engagement with the world.

Restoring our security and standing in the world also means restoring our adherence to the rule of law - so in my first hour I will restore our Constitution. The Constitution doesn't belong to one political party or candidate - it belongs to the American people.

I know Americans can't wait any longer for real results on health care. From the moment I am elected, I will bring together every stakeholder - workers, families, small businesses, Democrats and Republicans alike - and we will start the work of providing universal, affordable, quality health care to every American within four years.

I will bring that same leadership to the issue of global warming, with the boldest plan of any candidate to cut carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy. We can create a future where America relies not on the Middle East for our energy, but on the American Midwest and other regions - where our Heartland communities aren't left behind by our economy, but are the engine driving it.

Read the whole op-ed here.

Also, Senator Dodd and Jackie Clegg dodd visited the Iowa Homeless Youth Center on Wednesday - you can read about their visit and how they helped out in an article by the Register's Jason Clayworth.

Senator Dodd voted against cloture on an Iraq funding measure this morning. He was the only candidate to do so.

Dodd has pledged to not vote for any more funds for the war in Iraq unless it's tied to ending the war in Iraq. Here's Senator Dodd's statement on his vote:

"My position has been clear for months - the only way to end the war is with a firm deadline that is enforceable through funding. While I commend my colleagues in taking a step in that direction, this President's actions and continued rhetoric give me little confidence that setting a "goal" date for redeployment will force his hand."

"I will continue to fight for a firm and enforceable deadline tied to funding to end the war and restore American security. "

The measure voted on this morning provided money to continue funding the war effort and only included a "goal" for withdrawal. That's not enough to end the war in Iraq, it's just a half measure. The only way to end the war and bring our troops home to the heroes welcome they deserve is to defund it.
Senator Dodd was true to his word and voted against this funding measure. No more half measures - it's time to end the war in Iraq, no more wasting time.

Senator Dodd voted his conscience in an effort to end the war, something that Democrats were voted into the majority to do. Where was everyone else?