After work yesterday, Patrick and I took my truck up Route 3 for the short drive to Nashua. Senator Dodd was meeting with New Hampshire voters at Martha’s Exchange, a local tavern and brewery. The Senator couldn’t have picked a better place; I was hungry and thirsty, having skipped lunch to finish the framing on a roof we’ve been building. I had the Brown ale, Patrick, the “steeplechase” porter, and good burgers. By the time we finished up, Dodd was just arriving with some of his staff. After shaking hands with some of the patrons of the place, Dodd then sat down at a table of voters and local media who had gathered to meet with him. He spoke on a number of issues, including the war in Iraq and his call for greater participation in public service. In his comments at the brewery, and in the previous Democratic presidential debates, we see in Senator Dodd someone who could potentially play an important part in championing Patrick’s “Shared Sacrifice” bill. The general overview of the bill can be found here: [1] http://www.sendmurphytocongress.com/5th-district-massachusetts-end-war.html

On his way out the door, Patrick and I introduced ourselves to Dodd, whose mother was a Murphy, and whose daughter, he told us, he named Grace Mary Murphy. He seemed a genuine guy, a bright and compassionate person, and someone who adds something to that Democratic field of presidential candidates. Patrick passed along his proposal and our good wishes, and the Senator promised to take a look at it. He wished us luck as well and we thanked him. If nothing else, the brown ale and burger was well worth the trip.