Christopher Dodd Dashes to the Finish Line in Davenport, Iowa, Appearance

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd and his family drove from Des Moines, Iowa, to Davenport, Iowa in a bus on Tuesday, January 1^st, to encourage 50 loyal supporters gathered at Kilkenney's Restaurant at 300 West 3^rd Street, in the waning moments of the race to the caucus-line finish. The 3 and ½ hour trip (one-way) from their temporary home in Des Moines left youngest daughter, Grace, sleeping on the bus during the rally.

Grace was born "just 2 days after 9/11," the eloquent Senator noted, saying, "I've never sought the office before, but 9/11 had just changed the world forever, and I wanted to take this broken time and make it right."

Dodd---always an effective speaker---quipped, "I apologize that I don't have Oprah or Bill Clinton with me. Instead, I have the firefighters." The firefighters present cheered loudly and waved placards supporting Dodd.

Dodd pointed to his long history of service, noting that he was first elected in 1974 with Iowa Senator Tom Harkin. "I have the most experience. I have more experience than all of the top-tier candidates combined." He went on to say, "I am also the only Democratic candidate running who has served in the military, served in the Peace Corps, and is fluent in Spanish."

When Dodd first entered Congress he helped launch the Children's Caucus in 1981, working with Senator Orrin Hatch (R, Utah) to support children and families. He remarked, wryly, "It was the last time that Orrin and I ever agreed on anything." Dodd also cited his support for the Family Leave Act and for a bill to stop the bloodshed in Darfur, which, he said, was signed into law by President Bush 2 days ago.

Recently, Dodd flew back to Washington to vote against amnesty for the tele-communications companies that gave away the private records of average Americans in the wake of 9/11, at the behest of the Republican regime. He was prepared to filibuster against this amnesty (for the first time in 26 years), if necessary and said, "If you want to lead in 2009, you've got to lead now," in asking where 3 other Senators who are campaigning were, when their votes were needed.