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Dodd Well-Positioned for White House Bid
Candidates will need to raise $50 million by the end of the primary season, said Steve Grossman, a veteran party fundraiser and former Democratic National Committee chairman.
"There's not a whole lot of oxygen left in the room when you get beyond the two presumptive front-runners," Grossman said of Clinton and Obama.
  Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., gives the omination speech for Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., during the Democratic State Convention in Hartford, Conn. in this May 19, 2006 file photo. The White House isn't the only prestigious address on Dodd's mind as he nears a decision on whether he'll plunge into a crowded field of Democratic presidential contenders. Wall Street also looms large for the lawmaker who will become chairman of the powerful Senate Banking Committee. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham, File) (Fred Beckham - AP) 
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If Dodd jumps into the race, he needs to show fundraising muscle soon, said Grossman.
"How quickly Dodd can get to $10 million is important," said Grossman. "March matters. March is about momentum ... The process unfolds so quickly. Chris Dodd has to be able to see a clear path to $10 million by June."
Beyond Wall Street, Dodd, a former national party chairman, has a national network of supporters, including many in the Jewish community, that he can build on, said Grossman.
Veteran Democratic strategist Bill Carrick predicted Dodd would have enough cash. "But you gotta catch on, that's really the trick for Dodd," Carrick said.
Dodd is a familiar figure in the financial world, having served on the banking panel for 25 years. He also has been a strong consumer advocate on lending issues, said Travis Plunkett, legislative director of the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit advocacy group. The federation, however, has disagreed with Dodd on some securities and insurance issues.
Securities and investment industry interests have given $2.18 million to Dodd since 1989, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. It was the most money Dodd got from any industry. Insurance industry sources gave $1.08 million, the center's statistics showed, while commercial bank interests gave $553,719.
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Sen. Christopher Dodd: http:/
