Tom Vilsack Enters a Crowded Presidential Race

Does anyone else feel like we've entered a constant election cycle? The new congress isn't even in session yet and we're already being bombarded with talk about the 2008 election. My prediction is that candidates for the 2012 presidential election will be announcing their "contingent bids" next year, that is, depending on who wins elections in 2008 and 2010 they either will or will not be running for the presidency in 2012. Regardless, today brings Tom Vilsack, yet another Democratic candidate into the 2008 primary election, to join the possible ranks of Hillary Clinton, Mark Warner, Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, John Kerry, Dick Durbin, Al Gore and apparently any other Democrat with access to a camera.

"America needs a president who builds and creates, who makes our country more secure, who is bold and has the courage to create change," Vilsack told a hometown crowd of supporters. "I will be that president."
In all fairness, until he's been covered in campaign dirt and dubbed a cheesy (but oft-repeated) catch phrase by Matt Drudge or FreeRepublic, Vilsack is actually a pretty strong candidate. Governors typically fare better in presidential races than senators or sitting congressional representatives (who do particularly bad), being from Iowa is a boon because it's traditionally a working-class Democratic state and so can avoid criticism of "Northeastern elitism" or "West Coast radicalism" that tends to drag down prominent Democrats.

What he really lacks is star power, particularly in an election that will be dominated by household names like Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, and so he's getting an early start to try and let people know who he is.

In his speech Thursday morning, Vilsack highlighted a personal story that his advisers believe will be compelling as he introduces himself to voters around the country. Orphaned as an infant, he was adopted into the home of a mother who battled alcohol and drug addiction and eventually abandoned her family, leaving him to be raised for a time by his adoptive father. His mother later overcame her addictions, and the family was reunited.

"She relied on her faith, family and friends," Vilsack said. "In doing so she taught me a valuable lesson—that the courage to create change can overcome anything, and that community can give you the support and confidence to succeed."

Vilsack, who turns 56 next month, was born in Pittsburgh but came to Iowa to pursue the woman he met at Hamilton College in New York state and whom he eventually married, Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack. They settled in this small town (population about 8,700), where she was raised. She taught at the local middle school, and he practiced law. He served as the town's mayor and later as state senator.
Not bad, it doesn't induce the gag reflex that Hillary Clinton's name seems to have on about half the country, but not really as compelling as Barack Obama's life story, chronicled in several speeches. And his criticisms are going to have to be more original than the Bush-bashing people are undoubtedly going to be sick of two years from now, which is what he's currently serving.

Today in the White House," he said, "we have a president whose first reflex is to divide and conquer, who preys on insecurities and fears for partisan gain, who has tried to rob us of the very asset that has made the United States the greatest country on earth: Our sense of community, optimism and can-do spirit."

He charged that the country today is less safe and secure than it was six years ago. "Our way of life and national security have been put at risk by fiscal irresponsibility and by our dependence upon foreign oil and the countries that provide it," he said. "In some cases, the governments of these countries take our money—and yet despise us and harbor terrorists."
OK, we get it, you're not Bush, and Democrats don't like Bush. This year's midterm election crop established that pretty well too. The real question is whether someone like Vilsack, who hasn't endured intense national scrutiny before, can deal with the merciless digging and poking and prodding by the media (not to mention the inevitable smear campaigns by the conservative media) that anyone seeking a prominent office is subjected to these days.

Good luck Tom, it's a long, hard journey you've just embarked on.

web address: http://suicidegirls.com/news/all/19407/Tom-Vilsack-Enters-a-Crowded-Presidential-Race/