Dodd is set to get a big endorsement.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – CNN has learned that Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd’s candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination will receive a boost in the form of an endorsement from the International Association of Firefighters.

The Association will endorse the presidential hopeful at a press conference on Wednesday in Washington.

Dodd, the author of both the FIRE (Fire Investment and Response Enhancement) and SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) acts, was warmly received at the firefighter union’s presidential forum in March. Both pieces of legislation have been responsible for supplying additional federal funds to firefighting units across the country.

The union has had a particularly contentious relationship with Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. While the former New York City mayor is often lauded for his leadership in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the union’s leaders have argued that he mishandled the search-and-recovery effort at Manhattan’s “Ground Zero.”

– CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Dennis Kucinich and his wife, Elizabeth.

Cedar Rapids, IOWA (CNN) – At the Livestrong Forum Monday, Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, hit home the message of proper health education and personally shared the benefits he’s experienced since adopting a vegan lifestyle.

“I didn't need as much sleep. I had a lot more energy. I had a lot more clarity. I didn't have the health problems that I had previous to that,” the Ohio congressman said. “And as a result, I had a better quality of life.”

Kucinich added: “People want a president who is healthy because if you’re healthy you can think right.”

The White House hopeful emphasized his commitment to a “full disclosure” health education policy, where Americans are made aware of the nutrition value and health risks of the food they eat.

Referencing the epidemic of American obesity owing to such lack of information, Kucinich pushed for overall “health consciousness” that includes physical fitness, proper nutrition and access to health care.

“There is a direct connection not only between diet and health, but diet and the environment, diet and the economy. And so as president I'm going to be singularly positioned to be able to lead that discussion because I take in my own journey toward health based on my dietary choices,” he said.

While describing a diet free of animal products and an improved quality of life, MSNBC Hardball Host, Chris Matthews, ignited laughter when playfully remarking “And you married a young woman.”

Kucinich joked, “And I did. And my – hello. I mean, I'm 60 years old, I have a – my wife's 29. You draw your own conclusions. Diet helps.”

– CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla

The FEC said Tuesday McCain is eligible to receive matching funds.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – In what may prove to be a much-needed boost to John McCain’s struggling White House bid, the Federal Election Commission announced Tuesday that the Arizona senator’s campaign will be eligible to receive federal matching funds.

After reporting dismal fundraising numbers for the first half of the year, McCain was forced to fire much of his staff and completely restructure his presidential campaign.

McCain's campaign said the senator has not decided yet on whether or not he will accept the money.

"We haven't made a final decision yet, but we're doing what’s necessary should we decide to take matching funds," said McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan.

McCain, who trails Republican frontrunners Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney in fundraising, applied for public financing on August 10. He is the first presidential candidate to be declared eligible for the funding.

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Watch Sen. Craig's press conference Tuesday.

BOISE, Idaho (CNN) — Sen. Larry Craig apologized to friends and family, but said he regretted the decision to plead guilty to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from an incident in an airport rest room in Minneapolis.

"I did nothing wrong," the senator said.

Craig said he had retained counsel to review the case.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republican Senate leadership recommended Tuesday that the Larry Craig matter be referred to the Senate Ethics Committee for review.

"This is a serious matter," the leadership group said in a statement. "Due to the reported and disputed circumstances, and the legal resolution of this serious case, we will recommend that Senator Craig's incident be reported to the Senate Ethics Committee for its review. In the meantime, Leadership is examining other aspects of the case to determine if additional action is required."

The GOP leadership consists of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Assistant Minority Leader Trent Lott, Conference Chairman Jon Kyl, Policy Committee Chair Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senatorial Committee Chair John Ensign.

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Romney slammed Craig's alleged behavior Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — He was one of Mitt Romney's top backers in the Senate, but the GOP White House hopeful had some harsh words for embattled Idaho Sen. Larry Craig Tuesday.

In an interview with CNBC's "Kudlow and Company," Romney said the Idaho Republican's alleged conduct in an airport bathroom was "very disappointing."

"Once again, we've found people in Washington have not lived up to the level of respect and dignity that we would expect for somebody that gets elected to a position of high influence," Romney added. "He's no longer associated with my campaign, as you can imagine… I'm sorry to see that he has fallen short."

Craig, formerly Romney's Senate co-liaison and head of his Idaho leadership team, resigned his campaign post Monday evening after news surfaced that he was arrested in an airport bathroom for disorderly conduct.

Romney also likened Craig's alleged behavior to that of former Rep. Mark Foley and former President Bill Clinton.

"I think it reminds us of Mark Foley and Bill Clinton," he said. "I think it reminds us of the fact that people who are elected to public office continue to disappoint, and they somehow think that if they vote the right way on issues of significance or they can speak a good game, that we'll just forgive and forget."

"We've seen disappointment in the White House, we've seen it in the Senate, we've seen it in Congress," Romney continued. "And frankly, it's disgusting."

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Clinton won the backing of a major union Tuesday.

(CNN) – Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton won the support of the United Transportation Union Tuesday, the first national labor group to endorse a candidate in the 2008 race for the White House.

“It is a high honor and a distinct privilege to be the first labor union in making this endorsement,” UTU International President Paul Thompson said in a written statement. “The UTU has a long history of picking winners early. Hillary will be a president that America’s working families can count on."

"Time and again, as a United States senator, she has stood with us," Thompson added.

Calling itself "the leader among transportation labor unions," the UTU claims to represent 125,000 active and retired railroad and transit workers. It is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

According to the Associated Press, the UTU is also one of the top labor unions to donate to political candidates. It contributed $1.3 million to candidates in the 2004 federal elections, with 84 percent of the money going to Democrats.

All eight Democratic candidates have heavily sought the AFL-CIO's support, and participated in the labor federation's candidate forum earlier this month. Following the forum, the AFL-CIO decided not to make an official endorsement, instead allowing the 55 member unions to pick their own candidates.

“I am honored to receive the support of the United Transportation Union,” Clinton responded in a press release Tuesday. “America’s workers have been invisible to this administration, and it’s time they had an advocate in the White House.”

– CNN's Mark Norman and Alexander Mooney

Human Rights Campaign gave Sen. Craig its worst rating.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, who is currently under fire for his conduct in a men's restroom, was given the lowest possible rating by the Human Rights Campaign in their report released right before the 2006 midterm election.

"Senator Craig is the latest in a string of public officials who have yet to learn that the days of treating Congress as a game of charades where you say one thing and do another are over," Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, said Tuesday. "Throughout his career, Senator Craig has readily espoused his so-called moral values in an attempt to score political points by passing judgments and dividing our country without regard to his own personal life."

Craig was given a "zero" rating by the prominent gay rights group based on his votes on seven issues over the past few years. Notably, Craig voted to add the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution, which would have defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman while taking marital and other related legal rights away from unmarried or same-sex couples.

Craig was also criticized for his vote supporting the nomination of conservative Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. In addition, Human Rights Campaign highlighted the senator’s vote against a bill that would allow states to expand Medicare coverage to low-income, HIV positive Americans. Finally, it targeted his vote against the expansion of federal funding for sex education.

"While he’s reflecting on his latest actions, maybe he’ll finally realize that standing in the way of equality and being hypocritical with his politics is wrong for the country," Solmonese said.

–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Related: Senator says he regrets guilty plea after restroom arrest

CNN has obtained Craig's arrest report.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – CNN has obtained the June 11, 2007 police report detailing Idaho Sen. Larry Craig's disorderly conduct arrest in an airport bathroom.

In the report, the arresting officer alleges that Craig lingered outside a restroom stall where the officer was sitting, then entered the stall next door and blocked the stall door with his luggage. (Read the report [PDF])

According to the report, Craig tapped his right foot, which the officer said he recognized "as a signal used by persons wishing to engage in lewd conduct."

"Craig tapped his toes several times and moved his foot closer to my foot," the report states. "I moved my foot up and down slowly. While this was occurring, the male in the stall to my right was still present. I could hear several unknown persons in the restroom that appeared to use the restroom for its intended use. The presence of others did not seem to deter Craig as he moved his right foot so that it touched the side of my left foot which was within my stall area."

At that point, the officer said he put his police identification down by the floor so Craig could see it, and informed the senator that he was under arrest, before any sexual contact took place.

Craig, who agreed to plead guilty to disorderly conduct, denied to the officer he was engaging in any inappropriate activity.

According to the report, Craig told the police that "he has a wide stance when going to the bathroom and that his foot may have touched mine [the officer's]."

Related: Senator says he regrets guilty plea after restroom arrest

See Also:

Brownback spoke at Armstrong's cancer forum Tuesday.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CNN) — Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback said Tuesday that, contrary to what Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton claims, there is no war on science being waged by the Bush administration.

"I absolutely disagree," the Kansas senator said. "That is not taking place."

Speaking at Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum in Cedar Rapids, Brownback pledged he would "actively fund science."

Brownback went on to say that he "believes in" stem cell research, but that he does not "believe you should kill a young life to do this… I believe all life is sacred."

The Kansas senator's comments came in response to what happened Monday at the Democratic forum, when Sen. Hillary Clinton said President Bush is at the helm of what a "war against science."

"What really bothers me," Clinton said, "is that we are on the brink of so many medical breakthroughs right now [and] the current administration has literally called a halt to the war with cancer."

– CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

No matter what happens, it's likely Craig's Senate will likely stay red.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Senator Larry Craig is facing some major political problems today, now that the word is out that he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge stemming from his arrest at a men’s bathroom at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

Whether the Republican from Idaho can politically survive this setback is not known at this time, but one thing seems certain: his seat will most likely stay in GOP hands. Craig is up for re-election next year. He’s finishing up his third term in the Senate after serving ten years in the House of Representatives. Craig won 65% of the vote in his 2002 re-election.

There was speculation before this latest controversy that Craig would retire after finishing up his third term. The senator was expected to make a decision this autumn on whether he would run for re-election. According to FEC numbers, Craig has $549,125 campaign cash on hand, which goes a long way in a state like Idaho.

But if Craig were to step down, Idaho’s Republican governor, Butch Otter, would name an interim replacement to serve until next year’s election. Otter would most certainly name a Republican, and that person would instantly have a major edge in the 2008 contest.

And here’s why: Idaho is a very red state. As mentioned, the governor is a Republican, as is Craig and the other U.S. senator, Mike Crapo. Both U.S. representatives are Republican, and President Bush cruised to victory in Idaho in 2004, winning 69% of the vote.

A number of Idaho Republicans are said to be interested in running for Craig’s seat, including Rep. Mike Simpson. The leading Democratic challenger at this point appears to be former Congressman Larry LaRocco, who’s already actively campaigning, but has only raised around $80,000.

Related: Senator says he regrets guilty plea after restroom arrest

– CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser

Alleged 'DC Madam' Deborah Jeane Palfrey

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The alleged "D.C. madam" who is accused of running a high-dollar prostitution ring around the nation's capital is asking a federal judge to dismiss a prominent attorney the court had appointed to replace a public defender in her criminal case.

Deborah Jeane Palfrey wants to represent herself with the help of a lawyer who is representing her in a civil case but is not licensed to practice criminal law in Washington. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler takes up the request Tuesday at a status hearing.

But prosecutors filed court papers Monday opposing what Palfrey calls "hybrid representation," since the attorney, Montgomery Blair Sibley, cannot directly defend his client against criminal charges.

A grand jury indicted Palfrey March 1 on money laundering and racketeering charges in connection with her former business — Pamela Martin & Associates escort service. She pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 2.

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McCain at the Iowa state fair earlier this month.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — Some might say that when it comes to presidential politics and making firsthand decisions, Iowa State Fair-goers are spoiled rotten.

"I think it's a good deal," said Craig Swalwell, resting in the shade on the final night of the fair.

On the other hand, some would beg to differ.

"I think they ought to stay away," said Joel Morenz standing in the back at the "American Idols Live" concert on the grounds that same night.

Over the course of a 10 day period, Iowans had the chance to shake hands and personally ask questions of every major candidate — Democrat and Republican — all while enjoying a deep fried Twinkie on a stick inside the grounds of the fair. This, on top of the already abundant television ads and campaign stops across the state. And don't forget– we've still got four months before the caucuses and more than a year until the general election.

So who's enjoying the attention, and who's just plain sick and tired?

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Richardson with Lance Armstrong at Monday's forum.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CNN) — If the parking garage at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids is any indication, there are far fewer people at Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum on Tuesday than on Monday.

There could be good reason, however.

Monday had the Democrats, headlined by the bigger names of Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards. Gov. Bill Richardson and Rep. Dennis Kucinich were also present. The four of them on hand equals about half of the Democratic field.

Tuesday was set aside for the Republicans, but only two have accepted the invitation: former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback.

Armstrong said Monday that he was disappointed with the candidates who declined the invitation, particularly those in both parties who have been directly affected by cancer themselves.

"As a fellow survivor and as somebody that wants to represent this community and wants to see change happen, that's disappointing," said Armstrong.

A representative of the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum estimated that only about 700 people may be in attendance Tuesday. Monday, they say, brought in about 2500.

Related: Armstrong disappointed in no-shows

– CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

The Romney camp removed a video of Craig endorsing the former governor for president. It has since been posted by other users.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. Larry Craig, the Idaho Republican who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, has stepped down from his role as a co-Senate liaison for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's White House bid, the campaign said Monday.

"He did not want to be a distraction and we accept his decision," Matt Rhoades, Romney's Communication's director said.

The Romney campaign has also pulled a video of Craig from its YouTube channel, first reported by the online Web site "The Politico," and confirmed by CNN

The video, a clip of Craig praising Romney for his "strong family values," was changed to a "private" video shortly after the news surfaced of the arrest, The Politico reports.

A senior Romney aide tells CNN's John King: "Once there was information about his resignation being imminent, there was no reason to have his prior testimonial still present on the site. Our communications shop removed it. We add and edit content all day long on our sites."

Craig's position with the campaign was announced earlier this year when the Idaho Republican praised Romney as a "proven leader."

UPDATE: Josh Romney, one of the candidate's five sons, has canceled his trip to Boise, Idaho Tuesday because of "a last minute schedule change," the Romney campaign tells CNN's Sasha Johnson.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Name dropping about who will replace Alberto Gonzales started moments after he stepped down.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — It happens immediately after any high-level White House official resigns his or her post — political observers and Washington reporters go into overdrive over possible replacements.

The scenario played out Monday, when moments after news surfaced that Alberto Gonzales was stepping down from his post as attorney general, senior administration officials told CNN that current Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff would likely get the nod.

If true, it would be "a surprise to Mike," another source later told CNN.

Yet other senior administration officials started knocking down such reports, telling CNN that Chertoff's role in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath could raise problems during Senate hearings.

Did things really change that quickly? Which sources had better information? What are the rules of engagement in the name-dropping game?

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TIME.com: Why Gonzales Finally Caved

Gonzales resigned his post Monday.

(CNN) — For the second time in two weeks, a goodbye that hit home.

Alberto Gonzales is stepping down. Like Karl Rove, Gonzales has been at this president’s side dating back to his days as Texas governor. And like Rove, Gonzales had become a political piñata for an administration whose days are numbered.

Seventeen months left, and lame duck is a term that makes the president bristle. But Mr. Bush is a president defined by an unpopular war, and lacks the political muscle to see through his big-ticket domestic priorities.

At the State of the Union address in January, Bush pushed for domestic policy reform, saying, “With enough good sense and goodwill, you and I can fix Medicare and Medicaid — and save Social Security.”

Those State of the Union ideas went nowhere, and Mr. Bush also failed to make his 2001 tax cuts permanent or pass major immigration reforms. Now, the departures of old friends magnify this president’s increasingly lonely place.

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Graham officially supports Sen. McCain for the GOP nomination.

Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) — Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told a group of local Republicans here on Monday night who he believes will win the Democratic presidential nomination.

"Whoever wins this [GOP] nomination is going to get my full support," Graham told a meeting of the Richland County Republican Party. "You know why? You know who we're going to be running against? Hillary Clinton."

Graham, a member of the Air Force Reserves who just returned from a stint serving in Iraq, also offered a vigorous defense of President Bush's Iraq strategy to loud applause, declaring that the troop buildup is working and that the President's policies are the reason the United States has not had a terrorist attack since September 11th.

The senator made one of the boldest statements yet to come out of the debate in Washington over whether Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki is competent enough to bring rival political factions together in Baghdad.

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(CNN) – If Republicans are to retake control of the U.S. House in the 2008 election, they need to hold on to their seat in a critical district in Columbus, Ohio. But they are finding few willing candidates so far.

The seat, Ohio’s 15th congressional district, has been held by the GOP since 1967. It became open when Rep. Deborah Pryce announced she would not seek re-election next year. Her decision followed a tight battle last fall, where Pryce narrowly held off Democratic challenger Mary Jo Kilroy.

So far, the top potential Republican contenders for the race are deciding to take a pass. The latest is former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, who told the Columbus Dispatch yesterday that he will not run. Petro, who lost a bid for governor in 2006, told the paper, “I just made the decision that being a member of Congress is not the best use of my skills.”

Petro said he was asked to think about running by House Minority Leader — and fellow Buckeye State Republican — John Boehner.

Reports say local Republicans are now trying to convince former Columbus mayor and Ohio State football star Greg Lashukta to enter the race.

– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho.

(CNN) — Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, was fined earlier this month for a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge stemming from his arrest in June at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to Minnesota criminal records.

While the criminal records did not provide details of why Craig was arrested, Roll Call newspaper reported Monday that he was apprehended by a plainclothes police officer investigating complaints of lewd behavior in an airport men's room.

In a statement released Monday evening, Craig denied any inappropriate conduct and said he now regrets his guilty plea.

"At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct," he said. "I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have pled guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously."

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