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Connecticut Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd had high hopes of doing well in
this year’s presidential race and he pinned all those hopes on securing a
surprising finish in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses Jan.
3rd. Dodd moved his family to the Hawkeye State where he campaigned
vigorously to disprove political pundits who noted that Dodd never scored
more than 1% in any poll.
Like huckster Harold Hill in Broadway’s The Music Man, Dodd was
determined to “give Iowa a try.” When that Broadway show wraps up, Hill
“gets the girl," creates magic and wins the undying love of Iowans. What did
Dodd get? He could only manage .02% of the caucus vote. There is no way you
can parlay that miniscule showing into a reason for continuing in the White
House sweepstakes. So Dodd ended his quixotic bid for the Democratic
presidential nomination and returned home. In basketball terms, it was “one
and done” for the Senator.
From the start of his campaign, observers gave Dodd little chance of making
it to the top tier of candidates but he went ahead anyway. Last Saturday,
returning to his real home in East Haddam, Dodd told reporters about his
effort. “I’m proud I did it.” he said. “I have no regrets…you’ve got to try;
you always have to try.” But why?
Some will explain Dodd’s quest as a middle-aged lawmaker’s try for the
political brass ring—the White House. Dodd’s been a U.S. Senator since 1981.
This is the first time in a while the presidency is wide open. Dodd conceded
that for many years in politics he was unmarried with a reputation for being
a playboy. “Being realistic, the country is not going to elect a single guy
president,” he explained. This time around Dodd could campaign as a husband
and father of two.
You can also consider the Lieberman factor. Though Dodd is Connecticut’s
senior senator, it was fellow Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman who captured
the spotlight with his vice-presidential run in 2000, a presidential bid in
2004, and the 2006 battle to keep his Senate seat that drew white-hot
national attention. Dodd may have decided it was his turn to shine.
Dodd was hoping America would seek a candidate seasoned in politics and
government. “I don’t need training wheels and I won’t need briefing books,”
Dodd said as he began his campaign. “I’ve lived it, worked it, and
experience counts.” Or at least that’s how the Senator saw it.
In the end, America, or at least Iowa, decided an affable, white-haired
senator from Connecticut just didn’t fit the bill for 2008. Hungry for that
elusive commodity “change,” voters viewed Dodd as too establishment, too
yesterday. In a heavy turnout Jan. 3rd, Iowa Democrats figured they could
not fritter away their votes on Dodd who, though well-spoken and eager,
failed to gain any real traction in the presidential race.
While uttering those insurance words, “never say never” in politics, Dodd
claims he is not interested in being someone’s vice-presidential running
mate this fall, or joining the Cabinet if a Democrat wins the White House.
He will refocus his efforts on being a U.S. senator.
Though a recent poll hinted Connecticut voters were a bit miffed at the time
Dodd was spending running for president, no one really expects retribution.
Dodd doesn’t have to face reelection until 2010. That leaves plenty of time
to mend any fences and he started this past weekend.
“Every great journey in my life begins at home and ends at home,” said Dodd.
“It’s great to be back home in Connecticut.”
Posted 01/07/08
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