Tom Vilsack Running for President

Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa is just finishing his second term and is running for president. He's in the second tier of candidates and has a long uphill battle but he's a serious candidate and is worth watching. Mike Glover of AP has the story in The Washington Post:

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 longshot 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.

(snip)

Iowa's leadoff precinct caucuses could be especially challenging because as a former governor, the expectation will be an easy win. Anything less could badly damage his prospects.

Vilsack said he's ready.

"We have to begin the process of encouraging Iowa Democrats to look at this campaign as a viable campaign," said Vilsack.

Apparently, Vilsack has plenty of friends in Iowa and his chances may not be that far outside. Here's a story in The Hawkeye of Burlington, Iowa:

Area residents weren't especially surprised to learn of Gov. Tom Vilsack's decision to seek the presidency, with some saying he would make an excellent commander–in–chief.

Vilsack made an official announcement Thursday after fellow Democrats overwhelmingly won offices at the state and federal levels in Tuesday's general election.

(snip)

"I think it's fantastic," said Dave Helman, chairman of the Henry County Democratic Party. "I have great admiration for the Vilsacks. How many people would do this? How many people would take on this tremendous challenge?"

Helman said Vilsack's decision didn't surprise him because he knew the governor was considering it for a while. Helman said Vilsack would be an excellent president.

It's hard to say how far Vilsack will go. If he wins Iowa, he may simply be considered a 'favorite son' and that may or may not carry over into other primaries.

I wish Vilsack well but I'll be covering other candidates from time to time now that midterm elections are over and Americans are wondering who can lead us out of the debacle that is the Bush presidency.