Posted on 11/09/2006 5:55:20 PM PST by freedomdefender
Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a centrist Democrat seeking an early edge in an all-but-certain crowded presidential field, launched a long-shot bid for the White House Thursday.
Fifteen months before his own state holds caucuses - the first step in the nominating process - Vilsack announced his candidacy, filed documents with the Federal Election Commission and heralded a multistate tour beginning Nov. 30.
The governor is the first Democrat to file for the presidency although a number of better known candidates are presumed to be running.
"Americans sent a clear message on Tuesday. They want leaders who will take this country in a new direction," he said in a statement. "They want leaders who share their values, understand their needs, and respect their intelligence. That's what I've done as governor of Iowa, and that's what I intend to do as president."
Overshadowing the announcement is the upheaval in Washington as Democrats captured control of the House and Senate in Tuesday's elections. But Vilsack, a little-known Midwest governor, needs all the attention he can get - and the first infusion of campaign cash.
Vilsack said he plans a "Gala Celebration of American Community" on Dec. 2 in Des Moines as his initial fundraising event.
In polls, Vilsack has trailed the other potential candidates, among them front-runner New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and 2004 vice presidential nominee John Edwards. Earlier this year, the governor even was behind in a survey of Iowans.
"He's the least known of the prospective presidential candidates and he comes from the smallest state, where he will have to do very well," said former aide Ron Parker.
In an Associated Press-AOL News poll conducted in late October, Vilsack didn't receive any mentions when respondents were asked who they would most like to see elected president in 2008.
Vilsack will begin his tour in his hometown of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and will make stops in New Hampshire, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Vilsack was born in Pittsburgh, and the other states hold key early tests in the nomination process.
He said he will also announce his candidacy in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Nevada and South Carolina.
Vilsack is chairman of the centrist-leaning Democratic Leadership Council and a former chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. This year, he had made campaign trips to South Carolina and New Hampshire, but also spent the closing weeks of the campaign in his home state helping Democrat Chet Culver win the governorship.
Vilsack, Iowa's first Democratic governor in 30 years, had promised to serve just two terms.
He hasn't been the only Democrat campaigning in Iowa. Several potential, more familiar candidates have traveled to the state, including Edwards and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. A long string of candidates in both parties have already begun building campaign organizations.
"Caucus-goers in Iowa tend to be pretty independent-minded people," said Steve Hildebrand, who has advised Obama. "They want to audition the full list. They don't automatically go with the hometown guy."
When Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin sought the Democratic nomination in 1992, rivals decided to cede the state to him, but Vilsack is unlikely to get such a break, strategists say.
During his eight years as governor, Vilsack has sought to chart a moderate course. He balanced the state's budget during the recession of 2001 and 2002 by making deep cuts in spending, including furloughing 10 percent of the state's workforce. He resisted pressure to push for tax increases, and signed into law a measure phasing out the sales tax on utility bills.
On the Republican side, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California has announced the formation of an exploratory committee. About a dozen other candidates, including Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, are weighing bids.
He's really running to be Hillary's VP.
I suppose he's really running for the VICE presidential nomination. One thing's probably certain: GOP needs Iowa to put together a winning electoral-college count. If Dems can keep Iowa from the Republicans, they'd have a powerful shot at the White House. So that may be this guy's selling point when he asks Hillary to pick him for veep.
You beat me to my post. Tell me, how liberal is he?
Sorry, nobody with that name can beat a Clinton...
>>>Tell me, how liberal is he?
He's not "DU-nutjob-esque" - but he is big government, tax & spend type.
Vilsack won't be Hillary's veep. Obama will be. Vilsack has his eye on a cabinet position.
His last name will never survive the late night comedy routines.
Yes Hillary's VP... and also to provide her cover in the Iowa caucus. She won't have to come here (and suffer an early defeat) by saying she won't campaign against Iowa's favorite son. This gives her cover and he's hoping to gain a spot in her administration.
Vilsack is a Clintonista.
His purpose is to make a Clinton loss in the caucus excusable.
I do not want anyone named Clinton or Bush or Carter or Ford, etc. I want a fresh new face. I would take Billsac or whatever his name is over HillaryJEBCarterBushFordRoosevelt, etc. I would take him over McCain too! and I have no idea who he is. I am conservative Republican but I want an unknown to run for pres. in 2008. This Bush, Clinton, Bush, and possibly Clinton again is like incest.
Does look like he is missing a few chromosomes. So maybe he isn't the prince in shining armor, but I am sick of all the same old names!
I was thinking more along the lines of his having an extra one.
Fodder for the Hildabeast.
ROTFLMAO!!!
Bilesack?
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