DODD SHOWS DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE, PROVEN LEADERSHIP AT AFL-CIO FORUM Presidential Candidate Shows Leadership; Highlights Longstanding Relationship with American Workers
CHICAGO - Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd highlighted his long history of working for American workers and illustrated his proven, bold leadership abilities tonight at the AFL-CIO Candidate Forum. Citing the enormous challenges that the next President will face, Dodd distinguished himself from the pack by pointing to his bold policy solutions, history of bringing people together to address America's problems, and strong record of legislative accomplishments, including the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act, which has helped millions of American workers avoid the painful choice between the job that they need and caring for a family member they love.
Dodd set the tone for the forum when he said: "I'm a union guy, I am proud to be a union man?. "I happen to believe that putting our country back to work begins by cutting the funding for the war in Iraq. Spending $12 billion every month, spending two billion dollars every week, has got to stop if we are going to have a different set of priorities in our country.?
"We ought to be investing in the bridges and highways, in the water systems, the safe drinking systems in our country here. In fact just five or six days ago, after working a year and a half on this issue, Keith, I introduced legislation to do exactly that. For every one billion dollars we spend in that area 40,000 jobs could be created in the United States of America. Those are the things I'll do as President of the United States if elected by my party and I'm confident a Democrat is going to be elected president of the United States in November of 2008."
"Senator Dodd tonight displayed the vast experience he will draw from when elected President. From infrastructure issues to currency manipulation to providing our troops protective body armor while simultaneously proposing a responsible plan to get our troops out of Iraq, Senator Dodd is the only candidate with a proven record of getting things done," said Dodd spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan. "His vision for America reflects his experience, his mastery of the most complex issues facing our country and his ability to connect with everyday Americans, and makes him the best candidate for President. Tonight's performance is just another example that Senator Dodd's message of proven, bold leadership is resonating with American voters."
Dodd also addressed his leadership in the ongoing Iraq debate by saying:
"I believe - and I've led on this over the last several months - we must begin redeploying our troops immediately. We can do so with two and a half divisions coming out each month done safely and reasonably well. We then need to have a robust approach on diplomacy. This administration has treated statecraft and diplomacy as if it were a gift to our opponents, a sign of weakness. The United States has been successful in both Democratic and Republican administrations over the years when we have drawn the diplomatic arrow out of our quiver to make a difference around the world. We shouldn't be selling arms to Saudi Arabia while they're refusing to support us in Iraq. We need to have a clear message to everybody in the region, that we want them to be part of the solution."
"Senator Dodd has been a longtime friend of American workers both in Connecticut and across the country," said head of the Connecticut AFL-CIO and Dodd supporter John Olsen. "His bold policies and proven ability to work to better our nation, especially the lives of the middle class make Chris Dodd uniquely qualified to be the next President of the United States."
The AFL-CIO Forum was broadcast from Soldier Field in Chicago on MSNBC. Dodd will return to New Hampshire tomorrow, where he will campaign in the state through Saturday and spend Wednesday and Thursday unveiling his comprehensive education policy.
