Kerry scores endorsement of Iowa's first lady

[Feanorcurufinwe]

With her husband on the sidelines, Iowa's first lady on Monday endorsed Sen. John Kerry for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Christie Vilsack threw her support behind the Massachusetts senator during a rally with more than two dozen state lawmakers at the state Capitol. Her husband, Gov. Tom Vilsack, has said he will not endorse a candidate before Iowa's kickoff caucuses Jan. 19.

Vilsack said she backed Kerry in part because she was impressed with his relationship with his daughter and wife, whom she called "a strong-willed woman."

"Lots of times Iowans choose not just on policy but on intangibles," she said. Still, Vilsack said she thought Kerry's policies on education, health care and foreign policy were best in the field.

The first lady is a political activist in her own right who endorsed Vice President Al Gore over former Sen. Bill Bradley in the 2000 caucuses. Gore won that contest while the governor remain neutral.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/01/12/politics0856EST0493.DTL

[flpoljunkie]

1. Good for Kerry! Here is a photo of the rally today at Iowa state Capitol.

January  12,  2004

For Immediate Release
Des Moines, IA –

On the steps of the state capitol today, the First Lady of Iowa Christie Vilsack endorsed John Kerry for President. Joined by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and 27 state legislators who already back Kerry, the first lady’s announcement lends significant momentum to the already moving campaign of John Kerry in the last week leading up to the Iowa Caucus.

“I have made up my mind to stand in the Iowa caucus for John Kerry and I am very proud of that,” said Christie Vilsack. 

“In each election, Iowans choose not just on policy but also intangibles.  Over these last many months, I have listened to voters and have heard only good things about Senator Kerry,” said Mrs. Vilsack.  “It makes me feel very secure when I listen to John in terms of his leadership at home and experience in the world.  And I feel secure knowing that we will elect a president with that kind of leadership and experience to make this country a better, safer place.”

[sandnsea]

3. Wow! Great Pic!

I hope you'll put it in the other thread about the endorsement too. I love getting this endorsement, lots of great women standing with Kerry!

[flpoljunkie]

4. Done. Added statement from Kerry press release, also.

[sandnsea]

2. Dupe, actually

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=104610