Ever since Richard Nixon appeared on Laugh In, Bill Clinton played the sax on Arsenio Hall, and John Kerry rode onto the set of the Tonight Show on a Harley, late night television has become a staple of Presidential politics. Join us behind-the-scenes leading up to the big event: Senator Dodd on the Daily Show tonight!
4:00 P.M. - Prepping for the show in the hotel
Senator Dodd just finished his prep time and is genuinely excited to meet Jon Stewart and his audience. We're about to head on over to the studio after spending the last half hour speaking with the show's booker and a bit of back and forth with Communications Director Beneva Schulte (with Senator Dodd in the video).
Photo: Outside the Daily Show
Photo: Senator Dodd in the Green Room
About fifteen minutes before the start of the show, Jon Stewart dropped by the room to say hello. The two, along with Senator Dodd's wife Jackie, mostly talked about their kids waking up at all hours of the night. Here's some video:
Video: Jon Stewart Drops By to Say Hello
Photo: Watching the Show from the Green Room
Senator Dodd went on and it really went well. But don't take our word for it, be sure to tune in tonight at 11 P.M. on Comedy Central (formerly known as the Comedy Channel, and before that simply, "HA!" These kind of settings give the senator a chance to shine at his best: very personal, very funny, and able to answer difficult questions without belittling the audience by going through a litany of talking points.
Thanks for joining us backstage at the show. Be sure to tune in tonight!
Comments
Chris,
To be a bit indelicate, kick some ass.
:) Gibby
Have fun and be yourself is the best recommendation I can make. LOL
I think you should redesign your "Dodd Squad" logo.
It looks an awful lot like "Poop Squad."
Only if that's where your mind is...
PUT AWAY YOUR DAM EGO ! The logo is a terrible design. If it were not completely viewed in context - 9 out of 10 people I showed it to - read - Poop Squad.
There's no room for a blind staffer. I'm a Dodd fan but if this is an example of what's to come - there won't even be the chance of a VP tap out of this. Get some talent around you Sen. Dodd worthy of your capabilities and Do it Now !!! You're bright, fast and a good communicator - make sure your team is up to your standard or they'll make you look like an old blind man without you even knowing it.
Sorry for the tough take ... but we really do care !!
Binx
Just saying.
Growing up in CT I've known your politics for a long long time and I know that your hair wasn't always as bright as it is now. My wife even knew you when she worked for the grand old lady of CT Mrs. Ella Grasso.
Straight up you've got a great opportunity to show this audience that the gleam in your eye is a desire to do better than the competition with a fresh and seasoned perspective. Good enough isn't what it's about and you have the drive and ambition to take the extra step and the confidence to face what lies ahead.
Best of luck tonight and when you get to PA, I'd be honored to provide a fresh voice to the campaign.
Jim Flanagan
jffpa@comcast.net
Chris,
Give Jon some of that "Dodd wit" we've come to know so well!
We'll be watching!
Gale J
Plantsville, CT
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
March 12, 2007
Dear Senator Dodd:
I would like to hear a 12 point Plan on completing the task in Iraq; making sure the Iraqi people are safe, no longer being attack and supported in peaceful endeavors; That the United State and our troops are there to help as a continued support mechanism to stop tyranny and will continue to aide this country and show (WE) say what we mean and mean what (WE) say when we say we Are for a FREE IRAQ, and one that can sustain itself and let the people of Iraq know they have friends in high places, as well as the support by the United Nations and American people. Let the poor people know - We care about our global neighbors and we care about their children’s' future's as we do about our own Children. This is not just a fight for Iraq but is also a fight to protect our own country. And we should not diminish the reality of this at all. It is to preempt future wars -if we stay the course now! And while we are being open, lets talk about how the USA can not survive in reality without oil be it -Iraq's oil or other Middle East influence; and how they can contribute to our lives and prosperity as well.
For our Military - men and women who are and have sacrificed their lives, and so much for Iraq, let's support what (WE) the USA began after 911, and make sure all of us come out winners! If Iraq is free and safe that is a real win and a beginning for the Middle East to continue toward real democracy.
Thank you Senator Dodd, for Serving Connecticut and the American People.
God Bless You Sir, and Good Luck in your run for the Presidency.
VTY,
Jan Wallace
What a hype!
Would have been nice so get some real tickets or are those reserved for the lobbyists who donate to get the laws done favoring their clientele?
Enjoyed meeting and talking with you in Rock Hill. The behind the scenes details are quite entertaining and it's great they are in real time. We have so much technology at our hands why not use it? Thanks for keeping us updated. Looking forward to watching the Daily Show tonight.
Chris, of course I'll be watching tonight, but only to confirm what those of us who have worked with you already know: that you are brilliant, wickedly funny, introspective, sharp, and ready to lead.
If you're going to be doing TV, though, let's broaden your audience base. Let's get American Idol to have "Patriotic Song" night, and you can be a guest judge. See, then you can get political views in. Example: Contestant A sings, "Over There." You say, "Good song choice,but should we really be over there in Iraq? Now my plan is..." Contestant B sings "They're Coming to America." You say, "Neil Diamond would be proud, but let's talk about who is coming to America. My immigration plan is..."
Oh well. Just an idea...GOOD LUCK TONITE!
....is so Brooks Brothers. I've got a little design shop and I could TOTALLY hook you up with a entirely new look! I'm thinking lavendar. I'll call your campaign.
Lester
Break a leg, be yourself, that's when you shine!
I may be a former CTperson, but I'm thrilled you're running for what you've said and I've read to date, not for nostalgia.
If you can work it in, please speak to Iraq and getting our boys and girls home, [particularly my soninlaw ] -- and go for it, mention the D-word to get everyone listening. From what I have heard of the Prez' intentions, the ONLY way to get more troops is to draft them...{{{shiver}}} just the thought and memory gives me chills.
But wake everyone up using that word, it's just plain math.
Again, Chris, please be yourself, it is what shines -- to hear someone able to string words into sentences, and sentences into paragraphs w/out the use of prompters, well, it's a superb contrast to what we've had for going on 8 years!
Peace,
..zoe
Look, I tried. I tried to be open to a Dodd candidacy. (and Tim Cullen is an awesome guy.)
But I'm sorry, I just can't do it. First the Imus announcement, and then Dodd takes the lead-off question from Jon Stewart, and hits a pop-up back to the pitcher!
Stewart gave Dodd a softball of an open-ended question. "What do you think of the cancellation of the FoxSpews sponsored Nevada debate?"
And the good Senator's answer? "I would have liked to debate..."
It sucks, but if you can't take a stand against Rupert Murdoch's propaganda outlet, you don't get this Democrat's respect. If I wanted a triangulator, I'd be on board the Clinton bandwagon.
What ground is Dodd trying to lay a claim to? The failed past of the McAuliffe/Begala/Carville DLC era? Sad, so very sad.
Yeah that logo looks like a bloated pork sandwich just like the rest og government. Some asparagus and Melon have the fiber and diuretics to slim it down. Balance your meals Sen. Dodd! Get hungry again! OR at least drop 25 lbs with a colon cleanse you don't want to come across as full of Sh*t!
God Bless America and everywhere else!
I didn't even know who you were until you supported Lieberman. Oh well, I'm just glad I've gotten involved in politics enough to hate you.
Hey, don't hate Dodd. After Lieberman lost the Primary, Chris Dodd did the right thing and supported Lamont. When you factor in all the personal relationships, this was a brave and principled move on the part of our senior Senator.
If you want to hate, there were many CT "Democrats", (as well as Democratic Senators like Landrieu and Carper), who continued to support the war-mongering Joe Lieberman during his fall Indy campaign.
Dodd is a Party guy. He's just mired in the 1980's. Which is really too bad as he would be a better President than any of the other candidates, except maybe Richardson. (Yet, sadly, electability matters.)
Dodd supported Lamont. Get your facts correct. Unless my facts are wrong? lol I don't think so though.
Nice blog post. Loved the video before the show.
U. S. Senator Chris Dodd is the best candidate running for President! God how I wish everyone could learn first hand his commitment to children and families! His record in the Senate is outstanding and I will do all I can to tell our citizens to do all they can to help get him nominated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just love that you are making it possible for folks to be a part of this and I say congratulations on breaking new ground!
I'm very impressed with your willingness to pull back the curtain as you have here. Having only seen you on CSPAN before today (I'm sure you've been on several news channels for interviews, but that kind of television isn't my thing), while it hasn't been difficult to determine where you stand on the issues, there haven't been many opportunities for me to evaluate your political instincts. This openness you've shown here has helped me out a great deal in this regard.
While the 'reality show' method of campaigning would surely be a mistake, I honestly feel that you've broken some ground here and hope that you will continue to post clips like these in the future.
I knew prior to seeing this that you have young children, as do I, twin 1.5 year old sons who are named after Adams and Jefferson (I'm sure you can appreciate that Senator), and you're honest enough about the process and your chances that in the end, win or lose, your family will be very proud of you.
Keep up the good work & good luck! DI - agawam, massachusetts
The Senator was great last night! Looked like he is just a good father that is concerned about his kids and wants to take it up a notch. Thanks for the laughs!
I'm sorry, Senator Dodd, but you blew it. I watched the interview and you said absolutely nothing memorable. Stewart asked why you, specifically, are running and all you could do is vaguely talk about 26 years of generic experience.
Howard Dean started out as a long shot candidate, but when he was asked these questions he talked specifically about providing health care to everyone in Vermont while keeping the budget balanced and then noted that no Republican president has balanced the budget in 34 years.
You had a great opportunity to say what you are about and why you are running for president and all I know is that you have been a senator for a long time.
Correction: Comedy Central was formed from the merging of "Ha!" and The Comedy Channel.
Living in Texas, I was fairly unfamiliar with Senator Dodd, until recently. This website and its' content, including the Daily Show video (which I personally enjoyed), are helping me educate myself.
The show is what it is, and provides Dodd a unique demographic. With only an eight minute time capsule to work with, I envisioned this appearance being 'An Introduction to Dodd', which, looking back is a correct summation IMO.
I look forward to hearing more of what Dodd has to say, in whatever context or communication medium.
Chris - You did a good job on the Daily Show, but you could have done better. Specifically I'm thinking of your response to the question of why you are running for president. Although I'm sure your answer was true to your motivation, it sounded too much like Lieberman's reasons for HIS stance on Iraq and gave Jon the set-up for his bunker joke. I think a better response would have been: "I think that this country needs a better negotiator and better "decider" (don't make the corny quotation marks with your fingers) and I've decided that I'm that guy." Short, to the point and not mushy. (Don't be mushy at least not on the Daily Show.) And the decider reference might have gotten a laugh.
In response to Jon's ribbing about being below the radar, you could have just joked that you're intentionally "lying low" until the others have tired themselves and everyone else out,
Good luck with the campaign. I'm rooting for you.
Did you ever think that the people of CT elected you to stay in DC an d CT to do the ork of representing us? Instead, you parade around the country doing your selfish campaigning for president. Maybe you should resign from the Senate and let us elect someone who gives a damn about CT. For instance, do you have any idea as to what electric deregulation has done to our budgets? My grandmother has to decide between dog food or power ... how about you?
HOW can you say the Dodd doesn't give a damn about the people of CT? LOOK AT HIS RECORD!!!! And if your grandmother has to decide between dog food or power, look beyond CT to Pennsylvannia Avenue and blame the true villian -- George W. Bush.
So this is your blog on which you are commenting on Jon commenting on your blog in which you comment on an interview about your interview with Jon and ... ouch, it hurts already!
The e-mails are working on me. I watched the interview thinking of you as "my guy."