At a time when his lack of foreign policy experience is being called into question, an endorsement from Sen. Chris Dodd can only help legitimize Sen. Barack Obama on a national stage, if only incrementally.

A recognized leader on foreign and military affairs, the Connecticut senator’s vouching for Barack Obama speaks volumes as to the latter’s readiness.

In an e-mail to supporters Tuesday, Dodd wrote: “While both of our party’s remaining candidates are extremely talented and would make an excellent commander-in-chief, I am throwing my support to the candidate who I believe will open the most eyes to our shared Democratic vision.”

Barack Obama picked up the endorsement of Chris Dodd today.

Today, Chris Dodd became the first vanquished Democratic presidential candidate to align himself with Obama or Hillary Clinton in 2008.

There has been no formal support from Dennis Kucinich, Joe Biden, or the most coveted endorsements of John Edwards and Bill Richardson.

Chris Dodd, 63, dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination following an unimpressive finish in Iowa caucuses January 3.

“I’m deeply proud to be the first 2008 Democratic presidential candidate to endorse Barack Obama,” Dodd said.

“He is ready to be president. And I am ready to support him - to work with him and for him and help elect him our 44th president.”

While endorsements only carry so much weight, you’d still rather have them from respected, established party leaders than not - especially when your opponents are trying to paint your youth as a liability.

Undecided voters aren’t likely to be swayed by Chris Dodd, but any positive press helps takes the attention away from shameless attacks.

Who’s in to win, and who’s in without a snowball’s chance in hell? The 2008 election is a year and a half away, but the race is in full effect, and the After W staff has once again handicapped the Democratic field (previous rankings in parentheses)…

1. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Senator (1)

The Hillary Clinton money machine rolls on, methodically stockpiling both operatives and cash. The endorsement of Tom Vilsack will help her in Iowa, although the fact that he never polled well there in the first place is a telling sign. The clear frontrunner handled the “Hillary 1984” video about as well as one could (she didn’t have its creator offed… yet).

2. Barack Obama, Illinois senator (2)

The usual pattern is that an upstart candidate like Barack Obama gets the Messiah treatment from the media, only to be torn apart once he becomes a true contender. The media’s obsession with Clinton has buffered Barack Obama somewhat, but he isn’t trending all that positively either. Could the luster be wearing off? Ever so slightly?

3. John Edwards, former North Carolina Senator (4)

Making good progress connecting with people, seemingly offering more substance than his chief competition. Polls show him leading in Iowa where he needs a win, and making up ground in New Hampshire as well. The story of his wife, Elizabeth, battling cancer only showcased his family as a true team, despite some pundits’ cries for them to call the campaign off.

4. Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States (3)

Still within striking distance at a moment’s notice, but with Al Gore, one gets the impression he’s using the possibility of entering the race as a means of garnering attention and leverage in his ongoing battle against global warming. He’s too smart not to exploit this, and if it is his primary motivation, we still laud every moment of his efforts.

5. Bill Richardson, New Mexico Governor (5)

This isn’t the NCAA Tournament. When the media is calling you a sleeper, that’s generally not a good sign. There’s no doubt he’d compete well against anyone in the GOP field, but Bill needs to pick it up, and quick.

6. Chris Dodd, Connecticut Senator (6)

A distinguished, affable fellow - one with the best hair in politics, no less - who really classes up the race. It won’t get Chris Dodd many votes against the heavyweights ahead of him, but his presence is a boost for the party.

7. Joe Biden, Delaware Senator (9)

The good news: Joe Biden is the big mover and shaker this time around, having leapfrogged two candidates! The bad news: look down who he jumped. Oh well.

The Senate passing its Iraq war resolution nonetheless means Biden’s stock rises. He has no chance, but it’s a start.

8. Dennis Kucinich, Ohio Congressman (7)

Not seeing the same kind of support as he did last time around. Which is too bad, because even that wasn’t all that much.

9. Mike Gravel, former Alaska Senator (8)

Our dark-horse pick to take over the 7th spot next time. Watch.

FINISHED/UNRANKED: Al Sharpton, Tom Vilsack, Evan Bayh, Wesley Clark, John Kerry.

For most of his 26 years in the U.S. Senate, Chris Dodd has been known as a sharp wit, an Irish humorist who doesn’t shy away from a battle of wits or a self-deprecating quip.

That identity was very much on display Monday night as Dodd made an appearance on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show on Comedy Central.

Eveb showing up was, to some extent, a courageous move, considering Stewart’s frequent putdowns of Christopher Dodd’s almost non-existent poll numbers in the crowded Democratic presidential field.

According to the Hartford Courant, Jon Stewart primed the audience at the onset by promising an interview with the “Connecticut senator and non-front-running candidate.”

But it was Dodd who set the humorous tone early, making a reference to the botched press conference in Nebraska Monday by his friend, Chuck Hagel, the Republican and Iraq war opponent who announced that he isn’t announcing for the presidency… yet.

“I’m here to announce that I’m here,” Dodd deadpanned.

But for the most part, Dodd followed standard media etiquette of never out-staging the show’s host, humbly laughing at Jon Stewart’s wisecracks.

When asked what he brings to the race that other candidates can’t offer, Dodd said his lengthy service in the Senate and authoring formative legislation like the Family and Medical Leave Act set him apart.

“Sir, you’re offering competence,” Stewart said as the audience roared. “I have to tell you, sir, I don’t think the people will buy it.”

Dodd gamely laughed at that and then conceded that the crowded Democratic field made him feel “a bit like being on American Idol.”

Lisa Teague, 39, a human resources manager in New York and a member of the studio audience, typifies Dodd’s problem with the 18-to-49-year-old set.

“Oh, is Christopher Dodd going to announce for the presidency tonight?” she said, unaware that Dodd had actually declared for the presidency in January.

“Dodd is really up against some star power with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Bill Richardson in the race,” Teague said.

“How do you run from a position that far back?”

But Teague laughed heartily during Dodd’s five-minute appearance and said after his interview with Stewart that his performance resonated with her.

“Humor is so important,” Teague said. “It makes a politician seem approachable and human, and Dodd definitely did that.”

Follow this link to continue reading in the Hartford Courant …

Who’s hot? Who’s not? Who’s going down faster than Monic- nevermind. Sure, the 2008 election is is more than a year and a half away. We all know full well that the race is underway and getting testy. That said, every week, the After W staff will handicap the Democratic field…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Senator

Can the juggernaut be stopped? With a huge fundraising edge and the world’s top political consultant by her side - for free, 24/7/365 - it will take something major to knock Hillary Rodham Clinton out of the top spot.

Follow her for a week and see how she operates. She’s a killer on the campaign trail, instantly ready to rebut anything her top opponent, Barack Obama, does.

It’s classic procedure from a classic, procedural campaign that will be really, really hard to stop.

In our view, the Democratic campaign will be more like a coronation unless the country gets really bored, or one man steps up - and not the person immediately below Hillary Clinton on this list. More on that later.

2. Barack Obama, Illinois senator

The big crowds keep coming, but we’re still skeptical. Barack Obama supporters are genuinely curious about him, even if his rock star status enables him to do superbly in polling without really saying much. He’s an inspiring figure, without a doubt, and the money he raises is nothing to sneeze at. But really, does this guy have any real business being in a race against Nos. 1 and 3 on this list?

3. Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States

Yes, he’s third on our list despite the fact that, you know, he’s not in the race. That’s saying something. Moreover, if there are more events like the Academy Awards, where the Goracle enjoyed staggering amounts of free, overwhelmingly positive media, he’ll move up to #2. Without running.

In one press conference, which some insiders believe is coming, Gore could knock Obama and/or John Edwards out. James Carville believes Al Gore will run because the Clintons know that if he does, preliminary interest in Obama ultimately translates into solidarity with Gore.

And when the Ragin’ Cajun speaks, we listen.

Plus, does anyone doubt his ability to raise money, with the growing number of famous friends and policy wonks who’d throw their support behind him in about two seconds? He’s off to a slow start in the race to $100 million, but he can definitely make up ground fast enough to have a shot.

Here’s hoping. For now, keep an eye on his waistline - some insiders believe if Gore plans on entering the race, the environmentalist will slim down to fightin’ weight (a la the newly-svelte Bill Richardson, below).

4. John Edwards, former North Carolina senator

He’s a solid #3 among candidates that are actually running. The 2004 V.P. nominee has some of the most progressive ideas out there (a health care overhaul that might actually fly) and is one of the most engaging people on Earth. His “two Americas” stump speech and belief in government’s “moral obligation” to help the less fortunate give John Edwards lasting credibility and style points from the left.

Yet he’s been more or less invisible for a few weeks now. Ann Coulter uttering a gay slur about him could be the best thing that’s happened to Edwards in that it got him some positive PR. Prior to that, it was his weak foreign policy record earning the headlines.

5. Bill Richardson, New Mexico Governor

Favorable press coverage in Western states, a solid Nevada forum appearance that impressed many insiders, a major New Mexico fundraising event and his status as the race’s only active governor keep Richardson afloat in a race that has already finished (officially or otherwise) candidates with much better name recognition.

A couple of early mishaps and black marks haven’t appeared to quell his slow, but steady momentum. He’s got a great resume and is pretty likable, too. The question is, will Bill Richardson last long enough for America to discover this?

6. Christopher Dodd, Connecticut Senator

The Hartford Courant reports that his fundraising efforts have been steady, and he’s reiterated his interest in running several times. No one doubts Christopher Dodd is a devoted public servant with a strong record on most core issues. What’s in doubt is whether he’s merely angling for the V.P. nod.

7. Dennis Kucinich, Ohio Congressman

The quirky FDR Democrat stands by his convictions, that’s for sure. But unlike 2004, everyone hates the Iraq war now, so he’s lost his favorite talking point.

He has no chance. At all. This is common knowledge. But just the same, Dennis reportedly set an ambitious goal of raising $50 million for his campaign in 2007, and even it he doesn’t get a quarter of the way there, Kucinich may be the last candidate in the field to concede.

8. Mike Gravel, former Alaska Senator

Unfortunately, Gravel’s last name isn’t pronounced like it’s spelled (it’s Grav-ELL), which would seem fitting for the hardened, 72-year-old Alaskan.

IHere’s Gravel’s campaign in a nutshell, since we guarantee you know nothing about him. The linchpin of his outsider candidacy is his support for direct democracy, as well as a national sales tax, the abolition of the IRS, withdrawal from Iraq right now, a single-payer national health care system, and term limits.

Hey, at least he’s got some ideas (often considered a key to success in politics) and hasn’t made ridiculous comments about one of the frontrunners. For that, he edges out Joe Biden (see below)!

9. Joe Biden, Delaware Senator

We have to give Joe Biden credit for persevering through the first few days of his campaign, when his chances were officially shot to hell. For a recap, see our post about Biden’s bumbling announcement day.

In any case, he’s starting to emerge after laying low awhile. The full damage of his announcement debacle should be fully realized as soon as Biden learns he can’t raise anywhere near the cash of Christopher Dodd. And Chris Dodd is running sixth in our Democratic rankings right now. Just saying.

FINISHED/UNRANKED: Al Sharpton, Tom Vilsack, Evan Bayh, Wesley Clark, John Kerry.

Calling himself the dark horse in a crowded field of candidates, Senator Christopher J. Dodd announced today that he is running for president.

According to the Hartford Courant, the five-term Connecticut senator and former DNC chairman made the announcement this morning on Don Imus’ radio show, saying that he believes his experience will prove valuable in a primary field packed with competitors.

“Now I’ve been here 25 years in the United States Senate — normally that would exclude you from even considering higher office, but I think people this time around believe experience matters, that I know how to do this,” he said.

“On every major foreign policy and domestic issue over the last quarter of a century I’ve been deeply involved in it.”

But Dodd acknowledged that he would face an uphill battle against other candidates with better national recognition, such as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), both of whom insiders say are likely to enter the race.

“I’m not as well-known as some of the others candidates who’ll be running, but a year from now we’ll still be talking about the first caucuses and primaries, and 12 months is more than a lifetime in politics. I decided I wanted to get off the — out of the bleachers and on the arena floor and make my case,” he said.

Former North Carolina Senator and vice-presidential nominee John Edwards has spent two years building support for a bid and is viewed as a strong candidate. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa are also already in.

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, the party’s candidate in 2004, is also considering joining the race, and many Democrats would love to see another run by former vice president Al Gore.

Dodd, 62, is serving his fifth term in the Senate and is chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, where he is currently waging war against payday loans and other forms of predatory lending. Dodd is also a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations committee and a vocal critic of the Iraq war - and most recently, President Bush’s troop increase.

He has spent a lot of time in the past several months shoring up support in states with early primaries, like New Hampshire and Iowa, as well as South Carolina. The most recent presidential polls have left Dodd off the list, but supporters say his experience and personality are assets.

Dodd’s headquarters will be in Connecticut. He will travel to Iowa today and South Carolina over the weekend to build support.