The Chris Dodd campaign issued this press release announcing his decision to run for president.
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.”
