Vilsack

[Comicstripper]

OK, this is interesting. Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA) has become the first serious Democrat to toss his hat into the ring (while Biden and Dodd have all but done so,Vilsack's filing the papers. Oh, and Gravel doesn't count.).
So. What do we know about him? Well, plenty. He's a moderate, fairly bland DNC Democrat from a pretty purple, populist state. I doubt that he has much of a following here.
We also know (or at least it has been reported) that Vilsack was one of John Kerry's three final choices for running mate in 2004. He's heading the Democratic Governors Association, the same body Bill Clinton once led as governor of Arkansas.
But also- and this is important- he is the governor of Iowa. First caucus. This can be seen as both a curse and a blessing. Of course, it would appear to give him an advantage in that early contest, but a victory there would be written off as expected and meaningless, and a loss would be devestating enough to end his campaign.

I don't know. I just find the whole thing very exciting. Not Vilsack specifically, but the presidential election in general. So, gang, now that 2006 is over, and we've WON, can we PLEASE start talking about 2008?

Thank you.

[skipos]

1. The more non-senator 08 hopefuls from flippable red states the better.

Senators are easier to smear, and anyone who will undeniably flip a red state gets extra consideration from me.

I don't know much about him though.

[AlinPA]

2. I like him. He could carry some midwestern states. He needs to get out

in peoples' view. Aside: Huckabee will be a strong candidate for the republicans.

[Nashyra]

3. With Vilsak in

Nevada truly will be a more true barometer

[FrenchieCat]

7. Found this "interesting"....

2008 Prediction

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack will get whalloped in his bid for the presidency. I'd be surprised if he could muster 10% in NY or CA. He's a pretty popular governor so perhaps he'll win Iowa pretty easily. If that's the case, then you have to ask if other candidates will even bother canvassing Iowa and if it's worth their time. That would mean Iowa won't be a bellweather in '08 and all the people there will be ignored--then they'll know how the rest of us feel. This puts more focus on New Hampshire and Nevada. Should he chose to run, I believe Gen. Wes Clark will do really well in both those states amongst Dems--he and his volunteers campaigned pretty hard for candidates that the other potentials didn't even notice, from top of the ticket races to the state legislature.

I think it's obvious that Clark is my top choice in '08, and now that Dems won the Senate, I think this puts Clark in the best position for '08 since Warner is out. The GOP is probably pull their grade school hijinks over the next couple years so I have a hard time imgaining a viable Senate candidate emerging as a clear leader. There are a lot of competent Senators, but most of the well deserving committee chairs don't seem to have presidential ambitions and the ones that do are going to have a hard time getting out of the shadow of Harry Reid, who has been--and hopefully continue to be--a solid leader.

I won't predict Clark will be the nominee--heck I don't even know if he'll run--but I know I'll be helping out. You should too!

http://stanforddemocrats.blogspot.com/2006/11/2008-prediction.html

I don't think a lot of folks realize how instrumental Wes Clark was in recruiting and supporting a lot of candidates that were not on the establishment barometer.

Meanwhile, the Corporate media continues not to list him on polls. I wonder why not, considering that they push Hillary and Obama and Edwards without even being asked!

[emulatorloo]

4. Right Wing Lie Machine will smear anybody -- I don't want blank slates n/t

[skipos]

5. But do you agree that senators are easier to smear?

"So and so voted to raise taxes 3248 times." "So and so voted against body armor for our troops." Blah blah blah. If a candidate is a governor, and a popular one at that, they will a little bit harder to smear as easily. Or do you think it is a fluke that we haven't had a senator be elected president in 40 years?

[emulatorloo]

6. Think Gov Dukakis

no smear was too low for Bush 1 and Lee Atwater.

[Thrill]

8. This guy will put you to sleep at a rally

He's that boring. And he looks like someone Frist or McCain would eat for dinner in debates.

[returnable]

9. Governor Vanilla

Seems like a decent guy, but he ain't going anywhere in what should be a pretty exciting field.

[Rockholm]

10. Rhymes with Ballsack. Can't vote for that.

Late night comedians wet dream come true.

[Comicstripper]

11. Doesn't REALLY rhyme with ballsack

Rhymes with... dillsack. That's along those lines. Pillsack? If that isn't an expression, it should be.

[AtomicKitten]

12. but he has "sack" in his name nonetheless

[Rockholm]

13. It's all about the sack, isn't it?

[AtomicKitten]

14. I'm afraid it is.