Earlier today, Chris Dodd became the first former 2008 Democratic presidential candidate to publicly take sides in the now heated two way primary contest by endorsing Sen. Barack Obama. In an email to supporters, Dodd called on Democrats to unite around Sen. Obama as their party's leader and described the Illinois Senator as a "uniquely qualified" candidate:

While both of our Party's remaining candidates are extremely talented and would make excellent commanders-in-chief, I am throwing my support to the candidate who I believe will open the most eyes to our shared Democratic vision.

I'm deeply proud to be the first 2008 Democratic presidential candidate to endorse Barack Obama. 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.

Put simply, I believe Barack Obama is uniquely qualified to help us face this housing crisis, create good jobs, strengthen America's families in this 21st century global economy, unite the world against terrorism and end the war in Iraq - and perhaps most importantly, call the American people to shared service and sacrifice. In this campaign, he has drawn millions of voters into politics for the first time in their lives and shown us that we are united by so much more than that which divides us.

That is why I believe the time has come for Democrats to come together as a Party and focus on winning the general election. The stakes are too high not to.

Dodd will be stumping for Obama across Ohio leading up to the Buckeye State's March 4th primary.