Dodd cites Obama's 'vision to lead'
Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:22 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Aswini Anburajan
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With a silver head of hair, a DNC chairmanship under his belt and 30 years in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Chris Dodd endorsed his one-time rival for the presidency with the air of a senior statesman anointing the next nominee.
"I believe that Barack Obama has the experience, the ability the vision to lead this country, to make a difference both at home and abroad," Dodd said, adding later, "The hour is getting late. That opportunity is not going to last forever. I believe the world wants to see [the U.S.] get back on [its] feet again. And I believe that Barack Obama gives us the opportunity to do that."
He joked that he had hoped this would have happened the other way around when he took the podium, before going on to praise Obama. Dodd said he had been moved by the crowds that have come to see Obama and the sentiment that he'd stirred in young people and across the country. He added that careful observation of Obama over the past four years had led him to this endorsement.
"I think the ability of Barack Obama has brought to this, to reach out and attract the kind of response, is certainly something none of us have seen in a long time in American politics -- certainly in the last generation,” Dodd said. “The kind of response where we saw in this primary the crowds showing up, many of them coming to listen and hear for the first time, but walking away convinced they were hearing something different contributed I think to the judgment I had today to support this candidacy.
However, Dodd also used his position as a senior member in the party to make a veiled argument for a quick resolution to the nominating contest, saying he was worried about the potential for divisiveness within the party and urged “the campaigns to be civil." He referenced past Democratic conventions where contentious nominating processes, he claimed, had caused the party to lose the general election.
"And I just want to -- a cautionary note here, to campaigns and the people around them: be careful this week,” Dodd said. “We have good people running. We have remarkable people running in these two candidates. And I know the temptation in campaigns, beyond the ability of the candidates themselves to control it, can get out of control. We've witnessed a little bit of that here … I wanted to… urge these campaigns to be careful.
"I don't want a campaign that is only divisive here, and there is a danger of it becoming that, not because the candidates want it, but too often the advisers, the consultants, others are seeking for that divisiveness.”
Obama chimed in on this point to say that he had felt that overall the Democratic primary campaign had "proceeded with a lot of class." Referring to the photo circulated yesterday showing him in traditional Somali garb circulated yesterday, Obama argued that the photo wasn't circulated to "enhance his candidacy." But he appeared to acknowledge the strong tone of his campaign manager, David Plouffe, saying, "There would be dust-ups at the staff level" and it was up to the candidates to set the right tone.
Dodd added that he had spoken to Clinton last night. "These are not easy conversations," Dodd said, adding praise for Clinton and her contributions to the country. He said he believed she would have contributions to make for many years to come.
"But it's the hour to come together," he added. "I appeal to Democrats, Independents, and others who will participate in the primary vote here next Tuesday, in Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island. This is the moment for Democrats and independents and others to come together, to get behind this candidacy."
He also said he "wasn't suggesting at all" that Clinton should drop out of the race, saying that the primary contests on March 4th were important elections to have. Asked why he had endorsed Obama after he had strongly criticized his foreign policy stances over the summer and had said that he wasn't ready to be president, Dodd argued, "We can't splice every statement made over the course of the campaign here."
"Obviously there are going to be some differences along the way here, not suggesting otherwise, we've had our diff and disagreements,” Dodd said. “But we're making a judgment here far beyond specific statements that have been made or a press release that went out here. The judgment of an individual to be the standard bearer of a great national party, to win a national election and to lead our county.”
Referencing the argument on experience, which he had hit Obama on during the campaign, Dodd claimed that there were concerns but Obama had demonstrated judgment and wisdom and appeal that surpassed his concerns in that regard. Dodd also said that he had reached out to try and contact John Edwards about his decision to endorse, but hadn't been able to reach him. He said Edwards would have a strong role to play in the Democratic Party
Asked about how he would respond if Clinton attacked him tonight and the potential for divisiveness if the tone degenerated during the debate and in the week leading up to the Ohio and Texas primaries, Obama said the debate would be vigorous but added he was sure it would be "conducted in a civil fashion."
He also dismissed any increase in rhetoric but acknowledged that in the past even he has been at fault for having a negative tone.
"I think things have gotten a little hotter over the last couple of days,” Obama said, “but these things have gone in sort in ebbs and flows. There have been tensions if you recall in South Carolina, and we had a pretty hot debate in Myrtle Beach. And I have to just speak for myself, when I looked in retrospect at that debate although I think there were some legitimate differences that were put out there. I'm not sure that my tone was always the one that I'd like to communicate. And I think it's important for me and for Senator Clinton to communicate to our staffs as well.
”We're both trying out for quarterback, but we're on the same team.”
Dodd and Obama walked out of the press conference with their arms around each other. Any thought of VP nod was quickly put to rest by Dodd, though, who gave a short, "No," when asked about it.
*** UPDATE *** The RNC releases this attack on the news of Dodd's endorsement: "When Americans think of change, how many think of Chris Dodd? Dodd played a key role in combating FISA legislation, and it’s no surprise he would now embrace the Senate’s ‘most liberal’ member. This is only news because Dodd is endorsing a candidate for President whose policies he previously labeled as ‘dangerous’.”
