Dodd: Obama has tapped 'hearts and souls'
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama shares a laugh with Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut during their news conference in Cleveland, where Dodd endorsed Obama, his former rival, in the Democratic presidential race. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In endorsing Barack Obama today, Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut cited Obama's tremendous following and his appeal beyond traditional Democratic voters.
"It goes beyond just the issues," Dodd said in an appearance with Obama this morning in Cleveland, according to a transcript provided by Obama's campaign. "The candidates bring something else that transcends particular points of view on questions and that is their ability to reach and touch the hearts and souls of Americans. And Barack Obama has done that in my view."
Dodd called the excitement around Obama "unprecedented, really, in almost a generation, maybe longer."
Though Dodd frequently cited his long experience in Washington while a presidential candidate himself -- and at times criticizing Obama's relatively thin resume -- he said that wasn't the only asset that matters.
"While experience, I think, is valuable, it isn’t just experience," Dodd said. "It's maturity, it's judgment, it's balance, it's the ability to speak in a way that touches people that I think people are looking for in the national leadership this time around."
Obama said he was hoping for a civil tone at tonight's debate with Clinton (MSNBC, 9 p.m.) in Cleveland. "We want to make sure that we remind ourselves we're both trying out for quarterback, but we're on the same team," he said.
Obama also addressed charges made by his campaign yesterday that Clinton staffers had circulated a photo of him -- wearing Somali garb during a 2006 trip to Africa -- meant to damage his campaign.
"Certainly I don’t think that photograph was circulated to enhance my candidacy, I think that is fair to say," he said. "Do I think it is reflective of Senator Clinton’s approach to the campaign? Probably not. And so at this point, my interest is just moving forward and talking about the issues that are going to be helpful for the people of Ohio."
WHY IS IT WRONG TO CALL BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA? ISN'T THAT HIS NAME? IS HE EMBARRASSED OF HIS MUSLIM HERITAGE, HIS FATHER'S POLYGAMY? IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN HE IS A FAKE. HIS SUPERFICIAL RHETORIC AND HIS PROMISES ARE NOTHING. HIS LACKEYS ARE FINALLY REALIZING THAT THEIR "PROPHET" IS EXPOSED. SENS. DODD, KENNEDY AND KERRY ARE NOTHING BUT LOSERS ENDORSING ANOTHER LOSER. WHY ISN'T THE MEDIA GIVING COVERAGE TO OBAMA'S GAY SEX SCANDAL THAT IS BEING DISPLAYED ON YOUTUBE.COM? WHY ISN'T THE PRESS COMPARE THE EXPERIENCE OF SEN. CLINTON TO THAT OF SEN. OBAMA? LIBERAL MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS LIKE CHRIS MATTHEWS, MAUREEN DOWD, EUGENE ROBINSON ARE SUCKING EVERY MORSEL THAT COMES FROM HIS MOUTH WITHOUT GIVING THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. WHAT ARE OBAMA'S ACHIEVEMENTS? THE ONLY STRENGTH THAT HE POSSES IS THE RHETORIC SPEECHES THAT TOO ARE LIFTED.
Watch out Americans....Do you want change or a womam that relies on the coat-
tails of her x-president/husband to become just that ? Not me. Take a look at the demeanor we have been seeing. She raises her fist like Hitler, one minute praising Obama, then the next belittling him.
The American public is ready for change and certainly not another 4 years from a
president that is going to do things her way just like Bush.
Her self claimed ready to lead attitude is so false it makes me sick and believe
this, Muslims and the Middle East DO NOT WANT a female trying to jam democracy down their throat much less anyone else. Bush,Chaney & Bush would
make a good team. Bush has made me feel like we are in a dictatorship.........
The media needs to stop trying to influence voters with headlines.
The Republicans WANT Obama to win because he will be ripped to shreds in the job experience category.
Obama reminds me of a bumbling infomercial for no money down get rich on my secrets to success book, buy now and you'll receive the inspirational pamphlet entitled HOPE, oh but wait, and for the first 100 million voters you'll receive the CHANGE DVD as well at no extra cost*
You people are falling for George Bush all over again....bunch of IDIOTS who would vote for Obama.
*Your results may vary. A special thank George Bush for lowering the bar to the point where even I look like presidential material. How lucky could I have been to not vote for Iraq, a twist of luck that is my ONLY platform.
Hillary using that photo of Obama was as stupid as it gets. And mocking him really showed how evil and low she really is.
Senator Obama is cool, calm and collected. He is what the USA needs at this time of trials and tribulations. Hillary Clinton is cognizant of that fact, and, therefore she is implementing every trick in the book which she believes would derail his candidacy. But to no avail, for we can read between the lines and what the in-between the lines say is that she is running scared under a gray cloud of impending DOOM! No more come back kid. Her goose is cooked and she knows it. Hillary, do yourself a favor and go and stuff your face. There is plenty of goose to go around for you and your entire staff! Shooo fly. Come on, scat!
Candidate Obama, the senator Obama and the man Obama, has class.
I would like him to be the one to represent this nation around the world and to get back the respect for America which I believe he can do.
I know he respects the "greatest generation of WWII" and gives credit to veterans and soldiers. However, he wants to turn the page on war and violence as the way to deal with enemies, but strengthen diplomacy and negotiation since the way of war, bombings, the hostility of 'them and us' mindset has not moved us further toward strengthening ourselves, weakening our enemies, or encouraged dialogue and reconciliation for both sides.
At the end of the day, even our enemies, in the words of Christ, are our brothes and sisters with whom we share this planet. How wonderful if we can resolve our differences, heal the past and move into the 21st century as the family of man, beyond race, creed, nationality or any other division.
Obama is the only candidate that can unite the country and heal the damage president bush has done to America's reputation.
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