Dodd hits the airwaves

Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.) became the third Democratic presidential candidate with a TV ad campaign Tuesday, running ads touting his anti-war stance in New Hampshire, Iowa and on national cable.

In the spot, Dodd claims to be the lone presidential candidate to support “the only responsible measure in Congress that would take away the president’s blank check and set a timetable to bring our troops home.”

{mosads}Dodd staked that claim on his support for an Iraq withdrawal plan that would remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by March 31, 2008, leaving only those necessary to train Iraqi forces, protect U.S. facilities and engage in anti-terrorism missions against al Qaeda.

The plan, forwarded by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), is expected to see floor debate this week.

Dodd’s campaign says the Connecticut senator’s withdrawal plan is responsible because it “does not set an arbitrary number on how many troops would be redeployed today,” instead allowing U.S. generals one year to figure out how best to withdraw American forces “in a way that protects our troops.”