Firefighters' chief says Dodd can win in 2008

[Sapphire Blue]

Firefighters' chief says Dodd can win in 2008
REUTERS
Wed Aug 29, 2:12 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The firefighters' union endorsed Democrat Chris Dodd for president on Wednesday, shrugging off his low poll ratings and promising a strong grass roots effort to help turn around his 2008 campaign.

Harold Schaitberger, president of the 280,000-member International Association of Fire Fighters, said he was not discouraged by Dodd's second-tier position in a Democratic race led by high-profile stars like Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.

He noted the union backed Democrat John Kerry's White House bid in September 2003, when he lagged in polls, and helped him eventually capture the nomination.

"This time around, we're going to see if we can make lightning strike again," Schaitberger said.

He said Dodd, a Connecticut senator and Banking Committee chairman, would be the most electable Democrat in the November 2008 general election. Some Democrats question whether Clinton, who leads the Democratic field in polls but draws high negative ratings, can win against a Republican.


Continued @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070829/pl_nm/usa_politics_firefighters_dc_1

[Jim Sagle]

1. Prolly wacked out from smoke inhalation.

[Colobo]

2. I agree. Sadly for him, he won't get even close to winning.

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. I learned at FDNY ... they don't hire bright people

And run into empty burning buildings. Bless their hearts, they don't like smarts.

[pansypoo53219]

4. i think people were saying that about kerry.

and he was running against THE WORST PREZNIT EVER!
wake up and smell the fire.

[zulchzulu]

5. Dodd will be out of the race after New Hampshire

He'll get nothing in Iowa and little in New Hampshire, which he would have to win to even be viable. He has $6 million on hand, but that will burn up pretty quickly if he wants to be viable for February 5th.

http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/mapApp.do?drillLevel=US&stateName=&cand_id=P80003387

[jillan]

6. I would have no problem supporting Dodd.

[Byronic]

7. Me neither but

I can't help but be disappointed that Joe Biden didn't get that endorsement. His whole life has been inter-linked with firefighters at one point or another. His speech to the IAFF a few months ago was incredible. He seemed to move everyone in the room.

Sadly, not enough to get the endorsement it would seem.

Good for Senator Dodd though.

[jillan]

8. I think we were all shocked.

I can't help but wonder if there is a 'Joe doesn't have a chance of winning' mentality out there that is keeping him
from gaining any traction. I have read so many articles lately to back up my feelings.
Articles where people go hear him, and walk away saying "I really like Joe, but I don't think he has a chance. I hope the winner picks him for a cabinet position"
:banghead:

But Dodd is a good man with loads of experience. He is my #2 choice.

Glad to see you back on DU :)