Vilsack (Dem Ia) hopes quick start will help him leap hurdles to presidency

[Omaha Steve]

full stroy free reg req: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1673&u_sid=2278922

Published Sunday
November 12, 2006

Vilsack hopes quick start will help him leap hurdles

DES MOINES (AP) - Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack says he moved quickly to declare his presidential plans because of the need to raise money and lay the groundwork for his long-shot campaign.

Vilsack, a two-term Democratic governor who opted not to seek re-election this year, played down the timing of his announcement, which came just hours after news of the Democrats' midterm election gains.

"These are one-day stories," Vilsack said Friday in a telephone interview from a Chicago airport, returning to Iowa from a fundraising trip in California. "These are not things that have a lasting impact, and we've got to get started. We've got a lot of work to do."

Vilsack returned to Iowa for his annual fall pheasant hunt in the fields outside Cedar Rapids on Saturday, but he acknowledged that his focus must be on getting a quick start on his campaign for the 2008 presidential election.

He is little known outside his home state and will face rivals with an enormous financial edge.


Tom Vilsack


"I don't have the advantage that others may have to roll over resources they've collected from Senate or other campaigns," Vilsack said.

He said he was confident he could raise enough money, arguing that he was an accomplished fundraiser in his campaigns for governor and played a lead role in drumming up cash for Iowa Gov.-elect Chet Culver, who breezed to victory Tuesday.

FULL story at link above.

[Selatius]

1. Here is Vilsack's positions

http://www.ontheissues.org/Tom_Vilsack.htm



If this graph is even remotely close to representing his views, since he likes to have "no opinion" on many issues, then he's going to have a tough time distinguishing himself from the Republican candidate.

[Mojambo]

2. And for comparison, here is Mitt Romney

Hmmmmm.

[Radical Activist]

4. Imagine that match-up!

Democrats would probably win actually. The fundies will never vote for a Mormon.

[Selatius]

5. If Vilsack wants to win, he's gonna have to move closer to economic populism

If he fails to connect with the voters' wallet, then he doesn't deserve to win, he's going to end up with Ohio and Florida cliffhangers where e-voting with Diebold is still a problem.

[Radical Activist]

3. Hillary and Edwards are leading him in his home state.

I don't think he'll have an easy time.

[AlamoDemoc]

6. Vilsack's run on the Democratic ticket will

will boost the morale and the stature of others viable candidates like Edwards and Clark.

[Radical Activist]

8. lol

That was the most nicely worded slap down I've read on DU in a while.

[madfloridian]

7. Vilsack is a very nice man, but...

I have decided something for 08. Since party loyalty is now off the table, and primaries are also up for grabs....there are only certain ones I will vote for. Included will not be anyone who is a leader of the site who allows this to be linked from their front page.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/616

Or who is still having this mentality from 03, making fun of the activists like the link above does.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/62

Something changed in me the day Wittmann wrote that KOSenfreude ugliness above...gloating about Lieberman. Something in my mind just thought....as long as that group makes fun of, humiliates, calls us names... I will not vote for them.

I don't have to do that now, the rules have changed since Lieberman pulled his stunt. Things are very different.

I will most likely vote Democratic, but now the rules have changed. Party loyalty only worked one way, so it is different now.

Vilsack seems very nice, but hs is president of the group I mention.

Lieberman broke the spirit of a lot of Democrats, and now it is worse with Harry Reid offering him chair of the Homeland Security.

Things have changed. There are many other good Democrats who have not taken their stand with that group recently. I will likely vote Democrat but not for these:

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ka.cfm?kaid=137

[Hippo_Tron]

9. Governor Vilsack has no charisma whatsoever

If you don't have the rhetorical ability then you can't get people excited, it's as simple as that. We need someone who is at least a decent speaker.

[beyurslf]

10. I want an African American, a Latino, or a woman or some combination

of the three. Affirmative action needs to catch up to the White House.