Chris Dodd: The Next John Kerry?

ABC News’ Donna Hunter Reports: Democratic presidential contender Senator Chris Dodd is pinning his 2008 White House hopes on Iowa and New Hampshire.

Appearing on "Charlie Rose", Dodd, D-Conn., who has been fighting his way up from asterisks and 1% margins in national polls since he announced his run in January, agreed that if he doesn’t come in first, second, or third in the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary — his ride to the White House will be over.

"So, if you don’t do well in Iowa and New Hampshire, it’s over," asked Rose.  "I think it is," Dodd replied.

The Senator remained optimistic about his chances.  His campaign has invested a great deal of their resources and time in Iowa and New Hampshire, spending $1.07 million dollars running five television adds and opening 9 offices in Iowa and 3 offices in New Hampshire with the hope that they will gain traction through the key state’s undecided vote.

Dodd also touted his high profile endorsement by the International Association of Fire Fighters Union.

"John Kerry would tell you, if he were sitting here, that without them, he would not even have become the nominee of the party," Dodd said of the influential union.

"John Kerry was at four percent in the polls on December 23, 2003. He was 22 points behind Howard Dean. He was 2 points behind Reverend Sharpton. And four weeks later, he was the nominee when people really focused in on it. So I’m very confident about where we are."
 
But where Dodd’s campaign is could come into question before December, when they are required to report 3rd quarter fundraising numbers. 

The campaign reportedly spent over $4 million dollars during the second quarter but took in just over $3 million.  Sen. Dodd’s national press secretary Colleen Flanagan said that the spending in the spring was used to elevate Sen. Dodd’s organization and name recognition.

The Dodd campaign has said they would need $20 to 25 million dollars to run an effective campaign through the key primaries and caucus states.  At last count, they reported $12 million.