Not a frontrunner but…

I, like most other people, dismissed Chris Dodd’s campaign for the Democratic nomination because he is little known outside on Connecticut and faced the media theme that this would be a Clinton/Obama or Clinton/Edwards fight. I like his politics for the most part (his vote for the war notwithstanding) but I just didn’t think he could garner enough attention to really make a go of it. Dodd, however, has been forcing people to take notice.

Ames, Ia. - Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd said Saturday that he will introduce an amendment in the U.S. Senate next week that would require a withdrawal of American forces from Iraq by April 2008.

This is one of those “good policy is good politics” situations. First, the amendment demands a withdrawal date, obviously a good thing. Second, it forces Hillary to put up or shut up. She has very carefully straddled the withdrawal issue. The Dodd Amendment will compel her to take a stand (Obama as well). Third, Dodd comes across as the anti-war candidate that can actually help end this disaster – and no, Kucinich still doesn’t count. For Democratic primary voters, Iraq is THE ISSUE. His amendment should help him gain some attention, if not, momentum.

If you are so inclined, Dodd’s issue outlines are available here.