One of my new favorite bloggers, J-Ro of The Seminal, has endorsed Chris Dodd for President. J-Ro had been an Obama supporter, but was deeply disappointed by Obama's lack of leadership in this campaign. It was Dodd's commitment to leadership that won his endorsement.
I want a candidate who fights harder when push comes to shove. I want a candidate who plays politics like Republicans, just for my side. That's leadership. That's why I'm voting for Chris Dodd in the primary.
Dodd is using his position of power to make things happen now. In quick succession, he's fought three legislative battles that have impressed me:
- He co-sponsored an amendment restoring Habeas Corpus and he created a great grassroots tool to help citizens whip their representatives to vote for the bill.
- He has put a hold on the latest version of the FISA legislation and has said he will filibuster any bill containing retroactive immunity for telecom companies.
- He was the first to pledge to oppose Michael Mukasey's nomination for Attorney General on the grounds that no Attorney General can put the executive branch above the law.
He is trying to drum up as much support as possible for his initiatives, but it seems he is unconcerned with the outcome of the fights. He hasn't shown any indication that he will back down if support for his actions doesn't materialize. That's the right attitude. Leaders lead, even when it is unpopular.
These actions seem to have struck a nerve with the American people and the progressive blogosphere. After announcing his filibuster plans, Dodd raised over $150,000 in 24 hours. He's been right on so many important issues lately that Chris Bowers among others, who postulated that Obama's problem was not that he watered down his message but that the political landscape shifted around him, has asked, "Why not Dodd?"
If voted into office, I believe Dodd would continue with the kind of leadership he has displayed so far. I believe he will fight for progressive policies, because that's what he's doing now. If elected, he will have a clear mandate from the American public that endorses his brand of strong leadership. I feel like he's got my back.
His campaign style is exactly the opposite of Obama's. He takes risks. He takes stands. He fights. That's the kind of President I want.
Dodd's clear, bold leadership is winning people over. His use of his platform in the Senate to lead now, before he becomes President, was what made me want to come and work to help get Chris Dodd elected. And as Dodd's campaign has moved forward and as he has continued to lead, both as a presidential candidate and as a senator, his leadership has won support from more and more Democrats, activists, and bloggers. A wide range of bloggers who cover many different issues and embrace politics in different way have endorsed Chris Dodd - and the biggest reason that runs common through all of their endorsement posts is that he is leading now and not waiting until he's in the White House to take a stand for what he believes in.
Go check out the entirety of J-Ro's post - it's a great piece that I'm sure will resonate with many Dodd supporters and those who are leaning towards joining the Dodd Squad.
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