What's the deal with Tom Vilsack?

[jgraz]

Rachel Maddow just had what can only be descibed as a political orgasm on air when talking about this guy. I've also seen posters here compare him unfavorably to Satan.

Is anyone here supporting this guy for POTUS? I'd never even heard of him outside of his few AAR interviews and the most recent fundraising letters he's sent me. I'm wondering what other peoples' opinions are on him.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. He's a bland, dull, middle-of-the-road, fairly competent DLC guy

who probably hasn't a snowball's chance in Hell of getting the nomination.

[Pithy Cherub]

2. But he can talk about ethanol ad nauseum

and how his hand picked DLC shill/guy for governor lost the primary to Culver. :crazy:

[IADEMO2004]

6. He didn't enter the primary- keeping his word - 2 terms

I think he is very competent and will make deals with the politically impure.

[Pithy Cherub]

8. Vilsack has a great story

that is lost amongst his middle of the road yet hopelessly dull speeches. His life story is probably as different as Obama's and would read well in a book too, but that's the rub.

The candidate was the one Culver ran against in the primary. That had been Vilsack's choice. That's why many are wondering whether he will win in his own state. Waiting to see who Harkin backs.

[IADEMO2004]

10. No doubt Harkin is the big dog in Iowa

If Vilsack can get his story and message out he will do well with the middle.

money money money

[Pithy Cherub]

12. Ain't it the Truth!

For the Love of Money...:)

[rurallib]

3. I am from Iowa and I would say you summed it well

We all wonder where he ever got the idea that he was presidential material?

[blm]

7. Some inside DC gossip that filtered out is that Vilsack is in to head off any

competition in Iowa for Hillary as she is dangling VP at him if he pulls it off.

I wish she would have the confidence in herself to just run and not play uber-strategy games which show fear of fairly competing for the nomination through debate of the issues.

[Pirate Smile]

15. Bill skipped Iowa so skipping Iowa may be part of the Clinton plan.

(Harkin ran in 1992)

[bigdarryl]

4. Rachel doesn't like Vilsack because he's a MODERATE!!...

plain and simple. she shouldn't be bashing him on air giving the re thugs ammunition to go after him

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. No; she's teasing him because he's bland, dull, and DLC.

And hasn't a snowball's chance in Hell of getting the nomination. Also, his name is "Vilsack," regrettably, a kind of non-Presidenty name.

[jgraz]

11. Are you kidding? I got the impression that she LOVES him.

Listen to today's show (or read her blog) and tell me if you disagree.

[AlamoDemoc]

9. Candidates like Vilsack are there to make other candidates look good...

BTW, folks from Iowa...no punt intended. ;-)

[bigdarryl]

13. DULL is what we need this time around not a FAKE!!! like

Hillary or Gore who was proceededto not know who he was

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Oh, yeah, dull works every time.

The sad fact of politics is that at least some smattering of charisma is required. You don't have to be a bland bore to be a sincere effective candidate. Maybe Vilsack is sincere, but he's still dull. There are a lot of good, real Democrats (not quasi-Dem DLCers) who are both exciting and genuine. I hope we nominate one of them.