MASON CITY, Iowa -- Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Paul Simon joined longtime friend and Democratic presidential hopeful Chris Dodd on campaign appearances across Iowa on Friday, saying the political process is too focused on money and not on issues.

Simon said he watched a recent Democratic debate held in New Hampshire and felt the most serious issues questions weren't directed toward the candidates with the most expertise, including Dodd, who he's known for about a quarter-century.

"The (political) process is not really eliciting the best thinking because it's focused on how much money is raised and it's difficult to come around the media and speak to people ..." he said.

Decked out in a baseball cap, button-down striped shirt and sunglasses hanging around his neck, he put in an appearance at a cafe in Mason City early Friday, where he mingled with a crowd of about 125 people.

Hundreds turned out later in the day Friday to hear Dodd's message in Fort Dodge thanks to the promise of a performance by Simon.

"Would you give a great, great Fort Dodge welcome to one of the great, great fellows of our country, Paul Simon," Dodd told the crowd.

Simon didn't deliver any political message as he joined Dodd on stage in Fort Dodge.

He simply started strumming his guitar and singing one of his most popular songs, "Mrs. Robinson."

Simon had little to say in the way of politics during his brief performance.

He later told reporters that he'll leave that part up to Dodd.

"I really don't much believe in entertainers coming out and mixing up in politics, but this is my friend," Simon said.

That's why Simon decided to lend his voice to help make Dodd's voice be heard in this presidential race.

"We've spoken on many of evening(s), so I know how he thinks and it's very insightful. It has a great deal of wisdom, and I respect (that) greatly," Simon said.

Dodd took advantage to make his political pitch to the hundreds who had gathered in the park. He also realized he was not the man many had come to hear.

"I'm excited people came out. I'm sure some came out to hear the music. Others came to hear the politics, and the combination of the two is not a bad thing," Dodd said.

Following the Fort Dodge appearance, the duo traveled to Sioux City. Simon was scheduled to appear in Carroll and Council Bluffs on Saturday.

Dodd thanked Simon for joining him on the road, and said Iowa was the perfect spot for him to meet voters one-on-one before the contest gets more focused on national ad campaigns.

"You don't get that same intimacy, the same chance to talk about these things" as you do in Iowa, he said.

The Connecticut senator was on a five-day "River to River" tour of Iowa in a huge, blue touring bus with his name splashed across the sides.