Here's an e-mail from Dodd:

[gateley]

I count the past year of campaigning for the presidency as one of the most rewarding in a career of public service.

Unfortunately, I am withdrawing from that campaign tonight.

But there is no reason to hang our heads this evening -- only the opportunity to look towards a continuation of the work we started last January: ending the Iraq War, restoring the Constitution, and putting a Democrat in the White House.

I know a lot of you came to this email list through a shared desire to return our nation to one that respects the rule of law, and I want to make one thing clear to all of you:

The fight to restore the Constitution and stop retroactive immunity does not end with my Presidential campaign. FISA will come back in a few weeks and my pledge to filibuster ANY bill that includes retroactive immunity remains operative.

You've been an invaluable ally in the battle, and I'll need you to stick by my side despite tonight's caucus results.

So, one more time, thank you for all of your efforts throughout the course of this entire Presidential campaign.

We made a real difference in shaping the debate, and we'll continue to do so in the coming days, weeks and years.

I'll never forget you, and what we've fought for, together, over the past year.

Chris Dodd

[gateley]

1. Kicking because I want you guys to see this -- it's touching. I'm hoping Joe

sends one out, too.

[PatSeg]

2. Thanks Gateley

I just don't know what to do with myself anymore. This has been such a big part of my life every day for what seems like a lifetime. I never anticipated such an abrupt ending.

[gateley]

3. I know exactly how you feel. I'm in the same boat. It has been my raison d'etre.

I say we follow Pirhana's lead and just keep coming back. We'll work through this together. :grouphug:

[PatSeg]

4. It brings back memories of how it felt the day after the

election in 2004 and finding out that other people felt much as I did - like someone had died. It was life-altering at the time and now I feel like I'm reliving it.