IAFF Puts Fire Under Dodd
Holy moley, the firefighters are getting behind Chris Dodd and I’m using lame, nonsensical puns in my headline. The announcement will be made official today (though I’m writing this post last night), and the Dodd blog has the scoop:
The International Association of Fire Fighters has announced that Chris Dodd will recieve their endorsement. IAFF President Harold Schaitberger says Dodd is “the man we trust to keep our country safe and families secure.” The Fire Fighters don’t know what challenges we will face in the future, but regardless of the situation, we know what kind of leadership Chris Dodd will offer.
Fire fighters bring more than just an endorsement in name … there are tangible benefits that come with this endorsement that build on our already strong grass roots organization – boots on the ground, organizational and volunteer strength.
This endorsement is a big deal. The IAFF could have easily put their name and their manpower (or womanpower) behind any of the higher-polling candidates. Instead, they chose principles over poll numbers, and are backing Chris Dodd.
CGG (and Gabe) have more over at CTLP:
This is a real coup for the Dodd campaign. Previously it seemed like the IAFF’s 2008 focus would beon keeping Giuliani from becoming the Republican nominee,rather than getting anyone elected. The IAFF’s 2004 endorsement of Kerry is often cited as a turning point for his primary campaign. Dodd’s chances of taking that unspoken “4th spot” just got much better.
Principles over poll numbers people.