For Dodd, A Major Endorsement

The Politico's Ben Smith has news of the International Association of Fire Fighters' impending endorsement of Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

That means the Firefighters, the first union to endorse Sen. John Kerry in 2004, won't endorse Hillary Clinton or Bill Richardson, two reliable allies.

Dodd, meanwhile, gets a major boost, particularly in New Hampshire, where the Firefighters union takes politics seriously and provides serious help to its endorsed candidate on primary day.

Why Dodd? No official word yet, but it's probably because the IAFF could not ignore his long Senate history of providing tangible political and material benefits to its members.

What if other unions are forced to choose between Dodd and Joe Biden on the one hand, and the top tier candidates (Clinton, Obama, Edwards) on the other? On record alone, it's hard to give the latter group the nod.

So we may be in for more Dodd endorsements....

Comments

Dodd's a fine candidate, but I'm hoping the IAFF chooses Biden instead.

Posted by Liz from NH | August 27, 2007 10:42 PM

The endorsement of Dodd by the IAFF is terrific and demonstrates foresight. Several of the Democratic candidates could win next November against a Republican Party in disarray (Hillary may be the only thing that can unite that party to the point that it could contend in 2008) but Dodd is the one who can lead: a great mix of pragmatism and idealism.

Posted by Kevin Reynolds | August 28, 2007 9:25 AM

The IAFF has not endorsed Dodd . . . yet. These are just rumors until an announcement occurs. The IAFF website and the Dodd website have absolutely no mention of endorsements as of 10 minutes ago.

That said, I have to question what the heck the International thinks will be the value to the IAFF for endorsing a second tier candidate that is struggling (and failing so far) to gain altitude. I know Dodd has been a friend to firefighters with the SAFER Act, but his prospects at this moment in the race are too remote to consider. I would rather we (and I am an IAFF member) sit this one out rather than back a horse that has little chance of winning the Democratic nomination. This will only force the IAFF to make another "endorsement" when the general election comes around.

Of course, I could be wrong about Dodd's chances . . . .

Posted by Marc from TX | August 28, 2007 10:05 AM