Chris Dodd for President

“He could be an Iowan,” was the comment that embodied Senator Dodd’s last trip to the Hawkeye State. Dave Ehret, from Burlington, was absolutely right, and all across southeast Iowa people who attended our events made the same observation. Dodd’s genuine personality, quick wit and humble attitude leave many Iowans shocked when they learn he is actually from the East Coast. As it was my first trip with the senator since I was hired, I was equally impressed. I would learn by the end of the trip that there is much to admire about Senator Dodd and much for Iowans to learn.

This trip began in the state capitol of Des Moines, where he started out by speaking to the 21st Century Forum, an organization founded by Governor Chet Culver. The group listened attentively as Senator Dodd laid out his energy and education plan and then opened up the floor to questions. The Des Moines press corps was crowded around a table in the front quickly jotting notes as the senator skillfully answered questions. Everyone in attendance was impressed by Dodd’s ability to answer each question in a substantive way, rather than vaguely outlining big ideas with no real meat. Next it was off to the Des Moines Register to meet with their editorial board. His ability to bring a discussion to a higher level must also have impressed the Des Moines Register because the glowing editorial they wrote just two days later perfectly embodied Dodd. “It's not that Dodd focused solely on foreign policy; it's more that he shifted easily between domestic and foreign policy and frequently connected the two,” wrote the Register. After the ed board Dodd got to sample some of the famous Italian food from the “south side” of Des Moines before hitting the road for Ottumwa. Much to the enjoyment of the staff Dodd selected the music for the ride… SALSA! Ottumwa started early, with a breakfast “Kitchen Table” at the Riverside Family Restaurant. There the senator spoke briefly about his plans and answered questions of the concerned democrats who took part in the discussion. Befitting Democrats from Ottumwa, the questions were no softballs, but Dodd answered every one, which went over well with the those gathered. After breakfast it was a short walk across the parking lot for the next event. Dodd met with the labor leaders from Ottumwa to hear their concerns and inform the group of his strong support for unions. Dodd's 91% voting record on union issues makes him the perfect candidate for this vital constituency. Then it was an hour drive to Mount Pleasant where Dodd attended a very, erm, “pleasant” kitchen table organized by Henry County Democratic Chair Dave Helman. This event was held at the local Hy-Vee, a supermarket only Iowans are privileged to know. Most people in the dining area of the store were there to see the senator, but others who happened to be there couldn’t help but be drawn in by the Q&A with a presidential candidate going on just a few feet from them. This was encouraging to me, because it really shows that Iowans are going to hear from all the candidates before they make a decision, and not just from the candidates who have the loudest microphone. This is a great sign for our campaign. With the day not even half over, it was down south, WAY south, to Keokuk. This town on the Mississippi is about as far south as you can get in Iowa, and it is sandwiched between Missouri and Illinois. Keokuk would host two events for Dodd. The first at a new biodiesal plant, Tri-Cities, where the senator listened as the plant management team showed an interesting slideshow and then took Dodd on a tour. The event was perfect, as Dodd was able to point to the specifics of his energy plan, the most detailed and comprehensive of any presidential candidate, and directly relate what he was hearing at the plant to what he has already outlined. The second event in Keokuk was a town hall at the Iowa Hotel. The Senator took his kitchen table format and expended it to a larger crowd. Goes to show you that no matter how big the group, Dodd is intent on hearing FROM the voters, and not just talking AT them. Next it was off to another Iowa river town, Burlington, where the senator had dinner with key activists from the area at a local restaurant called Fiddlesticks. It was a good thing the senator had time to eat a good meal, because the last day of the trip was no less hectic than the previous two. The day started at Laura’s restaurant where a packed room listened to Dodd as he discussed his energy plan and Iraq policy before opening the floor to questions. The event was a huge success and it was very difficult for us to get him to leave. He probably could have stayed at Laura’s all day talking to anyone and everyone that entered the cozy restaurant. But, unfortunately for the patrons at Laura’s the next event awaited Senator Dodd in West Liberty. A neighborhood Cinco De Mayo event was in full swing when Dodd arrived at the small park near the center of town. It was a happening event with newly elected Congressman Dave Loebsack leaving as Senator Dodd was arriving. They said a brief hello before Dodd took the stage to address the crowd. West Liberty is 40% Hispanic so Dodd gave roughly 40% of his remarks in Spanish. Seeing a US Senator and Presidential candidate switch easily between English and Spanish impressed the crowd a lot. Then it was the second to last event, and by this time I was exhausted, so how the senator was able to keep going is still a mystery to me. The West Branch stop was geared specifically towards energy, an area in which Senator Dodd excels. Dodd captivated the crowd with his plan and fielded a variety of questions. After the event a prominent environmental activist said that he actually had a difficult time coming up with a question for the Senator because he had so thoroughly addressed the issue. That is always what staff wants to hear, another satisfied caucus goes. FINALLY… the last event arrived. It was during this town hall gathering at the Strawberry Farm Bed & Breakfast, owned by State Rep. Nate Reichart’s parents, that provided the best argument for why Senator Dodd is going to do well in Iowa. The event was planned to be inside, but do to the turnout we decided to move it to the well-manicured lawn. Each person brought out their chair and formed a semi-circle around Dodd. They listened intently and then asked the in-depth questions Dodd has come to expect from Iowans. And as I sat and watched the audience’s reactions it was clear that what Dodd was saying was resonating with the them, as it had at the previous stops. They each registered a certain look, a look that convinced me Dodd will do well, a look I realized I had been seeing all trip, a look that was reminiscent of something I heard earlier on the trip, a look that said, “He could be an Iowan.” Ed. note: Bob Brennan is one of our many new staff members in Iowa. Check back for more of his posts as Senator Dodd swings through the state.