Chris Dodd sent this e-mail to supporters today inviting them to join his campaign for President.
Why I am running for President
"I am writing to you today to let you know I am an official candidate for President in 2008. I have filed papers today to make it official.
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 an innovator, our hopes for a better life - are all threatened.
I'm an optimist who believes America can lead again. We can be respected and admired in the world again. We can create the kind of jobs here at home that allow people to buy a home, have decent health care, have decent retirement, and send their kids to college.
But, in order to get our nation back on track, we need something that has been lacking lately - leadership.
I believe I bring that kind of leadership to my candidacy for the Presidency. 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 job they need, and the child they love. 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 my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get something done.
I'm proud of that fact, and the other policies where I've been able to make a real difference - getting resources and funding to our nation's first responders, strengthening our military, supporting smart, pro-growth economic policies, reforming our nation's broken election laws, and, as I said earlier, fighting for our children's health, education, and well being.
I look forward to having a conversation with the American people, and that starts with you, your family, friends and neighbors. Please take a moment to use the link below to encourage people you know to sign-up at ChrisDodd.com."
