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Posted: February 26, 2008 5:13 PM
Dodd Backs Obama, Rules Out VP Aspirations
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Former presidential hopeful Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd announced Tuesday his endorsement of Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and his concern that the Democratic party could become too divisive.

“This is the moment for Democrats and independents and others to come together, to get behind this candidacy,” Dodd said in Cleveland, Ohio, where he appeared with Obama at a news conference. “I don’t want a campaign that is divisive here, and there’s a danger in that.”

The Connecticut senator, who is a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, added that he has no intention of heading to the White House as a running mate.

“Who would want to be vice president?” Dodd said, according to ABC News. “I’d rather be chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.”

Dodd also said that he spoke with Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton Monday evening ahead of his announcement.

“She was as gracious as she could be,” Dodd said, as reported by ABC News, adding that Clinton was “obviously disappointed, maybe even something beyond disappointment,” but that she appreciated the call. “I said I didn’t want you to hear it from the media, I want you to hear it from me. She said, ‘I really appreciate that.’”