Update [2008-1-4 4:11:44 by ttagaris]: Just got back to the hotel. Well ... it didn't go the way we wanted it to this evening, but Chris Dodd ran a campaign we can all be proud of. When Matt & I spoke with the Senator tonight, he was in good spirits and seemed enthusiastic to return to the Senate and continue the fights he has led throughout the campaign: ending the war, restoring the Constitution, and working towards a corporate carbon tax. You all have given him a tremendous amount of strength.
On another note, a heartfelt congratulations to the Obama campaign for their impressive victory. There are a number of great candidates left, and we're well on our way to making sure one of them replaces George Bush in the White House.
Thank you, everyone, for all of your support throughout the campaign. You can be sure you haven't heard the end from Chris Dodd. -- Tim
I remember the first time I met Chris Dodd. It was during the Lamont campaign right after he filmed a commercial for Ned in the closing weeks of the general election.
Until then, my feelings about Connecticut's Democratic Senator were probably about the same as many of yours: "who is Chris Dodd?"
Then I started to learn a little bit about his defense of the Constitution, vociferous opposition to the Military Commissions Act, the way he stopped the Bolton nomination, his authorship of the Family and Medical Leave Act ... and I became more intrigued.
So when it came time to decide what campaign I would try and work for in the Presidential election, there was one choice in my eyes.
It's been a long year since joining the Dodd campaign, but on behalf of the campaign I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to the Daily Kos community for your kind words and support for a candidate who never received the attention he deserved in the traditional media.
I know a lot of people here hoped we would catch fire along the way ... and we are still hoping in chilly Des Moines, fully expecting a ticket to New Hampshire later tonight.
And when that moment comes, I can promise that I'll be right back here asking for your support so we can hit the ground running.
Until then, if you live in Iowa and need help finding your caucus location, please do so here
Additionally, if you're in Iowa please join as at the rally after the caucus. The rally monkey embeded in the tip jar.
And finally, a quick stroll down memory lane:
Dodd vs. O'Reilly
Dodd announces he will place a hold on FISA
Dodd thanks netroots after FISA victory
Ned Lamont introduces Chris Dodd at Yearly Kos
Chris Dodd at Yearly Kos Breakout Session
Dodd becomes first candidate to publicly declare a vote against the blank check supplemental
Chris Dodd and Ned Lamont
Anyway, there are obviously a lot more videos on YouTube. But I really wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you. Because were it not for you, we wouldn't have won the FISA fight. Were it not for you, we wouldn't have seen an increasing number of votes for Feingold-Reid and against blank check supplemental bills. And in the context of the current campaign, were it not for you, a lot less people would know about Chris Dodd and the leadership he has shown during the past year, and over a career in the U.S. Senate.
So, with that ... THANK YOU from everyone at the Dodd campaign.
Tim
P.S. If you are in Iowa, we would surely appreciate your support this evening.
Relevant disclaimer: I am proud to work for Chris Dodd