SALEM – U.S. senator and presidential hopeful Christopher Dodd drew cheers at a local house party yesterday while touting his ideas to withdraw from Iraq, reform health care and expand service volunteer groups in the country.

DODD

Citing the need for change because the country "has taken a detour in many areas," Dodd cautioned that if Democrats aren't able to demonstrate an ability to effect change, the shift experienced in 2006 elections will be short-lived.

"This could happen in 2008," Dodd said while fielding questions at Selectman Elizabeth Roth's home during the first day of a two-day tour through the state. "We're going to see a shift if we don't bring in positive ideas."

He also said he'd soon advocate for stronger legislation to end funding for U.S. troops in Iraq past March 2008, saying that the country shouldn't have to wait until the Bush administration ends before troops can come home.

"I don't think we need to wait that long," Dodd said.

Dodd insisted on pushing for requirements to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including a mandated deadline for reduced emissions by 2050 and instituting carbon emission taxes for corporations that continue to pollute with carbon fuels.

"If you truly care about global warming you'd have to do this, otherwise you're all talk," Dodd said.

Dodd also expressed wishes to expand the Americorps services as well as triple the size of the Peace Corps to help Third World countries in need.

Dodd drew a loud cheer from Paula Mahon, 46, of Derry when he talked about his own life-changing Peace Corps experience in the Dominican Republic.

Mahon, who felt the experience he invoked as a former Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya from 1982 to 1984, said that experience has made Dodd the type of person with a temperament for the presidency.

"You can't get anything done if you work through things by saying, You do it my way or the highway,'" Mahon said. "(The Peace Corps) was a defining moment. The 27 months you spend, it changes your perspective. You learn to be a nicer person."

Mahon said she had been a supporter of John Edwards until she learned more about Dodd's Peace Corps experience and platform.

Doris Flaherty, 92, who has seen every candidate hosted so far at Selectman Elizabeth Roth's home, said Dodd impressed her with his answers to tough questions.

"He tells it like it is," she said.

Richard O'Shaugnessy of Salem said the "cornucopia of good candidates" has become a problem for New Hampshire voters as each qualified candidate presents his or her credentials and abilities to small groups in the Granite State.

"You have to get a candidate that wins the primary but also carries the country," O'Shaugnessy said.

Jan Kelliher, who described herself as an avid supporter of Dodd before he announced his campaign, made sure she could attend the event despite a recent hospital visit.

Knowing that Dodd has had trouble standing out among superstar candidates, Kelliher said Dodd has always been her top candidate, citing his experience, honesty and sincerity.

During the event, Dodd announced that people across the country would be able to listen in and watch the house party questions and answers through Webcasts that his campaign is recording to upload to his campaign Web site.

Roth said she was excited to see candidates in her own living room while knowing the same questions New Hampshire voters ask will be heard across the country online.

"I've seen a lot in my living room, and the candidates learn to field questions here," Roth said. "If you can't handle a difficult question how will you handle running the country."