Dodd
Enters Presidential Race
For Immediate Release
January 11, 2007
WASHINGTON – Today
Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd officially
entered the 2008 Presidential race as a
candidate for the Democratic nomination.
He will kick off his Presidential campaign with
stops in Iowa and South Carolina this weekend.
The following is
Senator Dodd’s statement –
“I am running for
President of the United States of America
because I believe that we have reached a
defining moment in American history.
America today is at grave risk of losing many
things we’ve always taken for granted. Our
leadership in the world, our role as innovator,
our hopes for a better life – are all
threatened.
“There is a sense
of urgency. The country wants leadership.
Iraq is the clearest example of the need for
change. Today the American people are
listening to their elected officials in
Washington debate the President’s new plan for
Iraq. In my view, the President’s new plan
for Iraq is not simply a "surge" but rather an
escalation of the Administration's current
failed strategy that will needlessly place
additional troops in harms way.
“We cannot afford
to continue the current failed military option.
The failure in Iraq has cost us in two ways.
It has cost us the lives of three thousand brave
men and women, which is tragic. But it has
also diverted our attention away from trouble
spots around the world, from the looming threat
in Iran to N. Korea and most importantly, the
greater war on terror.
“But my decision to
run for President is not just about the war in
Iraq but about the urgent need to get America
back on track. On every issue important to the
American people – from the loss of jobs
overseas, to the security of our ports, to
retirement, health care, our schools – there’s
been no leadership. This Administration
inherited a great deal of prosperity and
goodwill six years ago, and they’ve squandered
it.
“But it’s not too
late to make the world right once again.
We need to be optimistic and confident about our
future. I believe America can lead again.
We can be respected and admired in the world
again. We can create the kind of jobs
again here at home that allow people to buy a
home, have decent health care, have decent
retirement, send their kids to college.
“It’s going to take
one fundamental thing we’ve been lacking:
leadership.
“I believe I bring
that kind of leadership to my candidacy for the
Presidency. I know how to get things done.
Let me give you just one example: long
before children’s issues were a priority in
Washington, I brought forward the simple idea
that parents shouldn’t have to choose between
the child they love, and the job they need.
I fought for almost a decade to create the
Family and Medical Leave Act, and today, over 50
million Americans have been able to make sure
their family got the right start after the birth
or adoption of a child. I was able to do
that by being innovative about what the country
needed, and then working with both Democrats and
Republicans to get something done.
“I’m proud of the
fact that the work I’ve done the past 25 years
has made a real difference for America – getting
resources and funding to our nations first
responders; strengthening our military,
supporting smart, pro-growth economic policies,
reforming our nations broken election laws, and,
as I said earlier, fighting for our children’s
health, education, and well being.
“In 2008, I believe
that this kind of experience is going to count.
We can’t afford four more years of on the job
training in the Oval Office. We need a
President who’s ready to lead from day one, who
has the ability to bring people together, and
really work on these big issues at home and
abroad.
“I say this not
just as a public servant, but as a parent, the
father of two young daughters – ages five and 22
months. At some point soon, they are going
to be part of a jury coming along that will
judge us all. They’re going to want to know what
we did on our watch to address issues like
global warming, to create a world with more
friends than enemies – when we had the chance.
“Today, I have
announced that I am running for President
because I want to be able to say to them and all
of our children that we did everything in our
power to pass along a world where they can grow
up to live as beautiful and meaningful a life as
anyone can imagine. I believe I have the
leadership, experience, vision and optimism this
nation needs to create a better future and a
better world.”
Welcome to
ChrisDodd.com
Thanks for visiting my web site. I'd like this
site to be an on-line gathering place for people
who want to create a more secure, hopeful, and
prosperous America -- and who would like to join
with me and others to make that vision a
reality.
This site is a place to learn more about the
issues that are important to our nation's future
-- issues like education, health care, national
security, and the environment.
It's a place to discuss what's on your mind and
what you believe are our nation's most important
priorities.
It's a place to get involved in making a
positive difference for our country. Civic
participation is the hallmark of a democratic
society, and I'd like this site to make it
easier for you to participate in creating change
for our common future.
Thank you again for taking the time to visit the
site. I hope in the coming days and weeks you
will check back often as we will be adding
additional features like a blog, podcasts and
videos.
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