Is Tom Vilsack going to be VP? Um, who is Tom Vilsack?

[cjbuchanan]

Okay, this is not meant to set off a "hell no, Kerry has got to go with (insert my person here) or else his campaign is finished" thread. I just know that since a lot of us don't know very much about Tom Vilsack, this article might serve as a little introduction.

Here is an interesting paragraph that might get you reading:

Another contender for the vice presidential nomination now says privately that Vilsack might be the favorite because of his small-town charm and his amiable relationship with the presumptive presidential nominee. Unlike Gephardt and Edwards, he would offer the ticket outside-the-Beltway balance. One of Vilsack's aides confided that he thought that the selection had narrowed to his boss and Edwards.

You can read the whole article here: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/latimests/alowkeyiowagovernorreceivesthevptreatment

[Wickerman]

1. Oh, I hope not

I spent Saturday night chatting with someone who has known him for years. He loves the guy. He is shocked that Tom would be considered for that high of an office. Not because of his quals as a politician or as a human, but because of the size of the state he governs. Like everyone else, he can't figure out what powers are thinking. Iowas has 6 electoral votes and may not influence its neighbors in any appreciable way.

Not what you are looking for in a tight race.

[Stew225]

3. Sounds like a wonderful human being, yadda, yadda,

etc., but this is the big league and I doubt that anyone would disagree with the notion that the future of the world is at stake here, hear?

Edwards or Clark, I would hope for many fairly obvious reasons.

[Eloriel]

12. who is he? The man who made Kerry the nominee

Not alone, mind you, but the Vilsack "poliical machine" was a hygely important part of the Iowa win -- that and other dirty tricks and backroom deals. So Kerry owes him, same way he owes Gephardt.

Yawn. I don't give a damn who Kerry chooses, tho as a Democrat I found the McCain rumors exceptionally insulting. I liked what I heard Donna Brazille say yesterday: We don't need a Republican a heartbeat away from the Presidency. Frankly, I didn't think we needed a republican to even be considered, esp. not out loud.

[cjbuchanan]

4. Well, in the article

It talks about his life story. I think that the week of coverage the media would give him would talk mainly of that. Also, he is from "outside" the beltway, which might be something else the media will chat about.

I think he does bring some good things to the table, but I do not know much about him, so I cannot say "oh yes" or "hell no."

By the by, Iowa has 7 electoral votes. Also, if you look at a lot of the other VP candidates, there is only limited indication that they might bring their state along with them.

[Wickerman]

7. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Tom

I think his day is yet to come, though. And right you are - 7 - my fingers know not what they type. That said, I think some of the other suitors have a broader appeal. Edwards may not carry his state (?) but conventional wisdom says a Southerner on the ticket with national name recognition would be helpful. I also think Edwards has a few liabilities, too, but this isn't about him, huh? Clark is also worth a look, but I think that is over, for whatever reason.

[cjbuchanan]

8. You know what

When I read your post, I also re-read mine. I'm sorry if I came off as a little pushy or anything, I didn't mean to. I just was sharing my thoughts and sometimes I end up sounding, well, pissy. Sorry about that.

I think that Edwards, Clark, Gep, Vilsack, Graham and the rest all bring something good to the table, so I will be happy with any of them.

[Wickerman]

11. No sweat, didn't read it that way -

was just clarifying my own post. :hi:

As native Iowan and now just over the border in MN I would be proud to have Tom on the ticket.

I only want to win in November. If the powers think Tom is the safest and most helpful addition to the ticket then, like you, by all means add him. My personal thinks are that they need some star power - I don't see that in Tom, but then I don't know how they plan to build that star, either. And, perhaps its easier to build a star on a relatively virgin politician than ones who carry some baggage. :shrug:

[Guava Jelly]

10. I can see the freeper posters allready

Harry/Ballsack 04
Most americans arent political Junkies as we are Names mean everything.
Hell Shrub got sElected basically on name recognition

[leyton]

16. I disagree about the small-state thing.

Yeah, a big-state governor might be preferable, but I don't think it's bad that Vilsack is from a smaller state. How many of us were for Dean? Vermont is even smaller than Iowa. Whats more, Bush was looking at a tight race in 2000, and yet he chose a one-time Congressman from a small, Republican state because the latter's experience balanced the former's relative inexperience. I think the plus for Vilsack is that his image balances Kerry's - Vilsack is a regular guy from the midwest, balancing Kerry's patrician Easterness. That's the raison d'etre for his VP candidacy, if you can call it that.

[cjbuchanan]

17. I agree with what your saying

I think Vilsack would help Kerry from the image stand point. Just a regular, fight your way up kind of guy. Also, Iowa does not have the implied left feel of Mass. (justified or not).

Still, I think the FP issue is an interesting one with him. It might be a little harder to sell him.

I can't wait to see who Kerry picks from the fantastic group of VP possibilities.

[Racenut20]

2. I like this choice if it can't be Durbin

[Guava Jelly]

5. from the daily show

paraphrasing of course
"If the republicans can turn lieberman in to looserman do the democrats really want a candidate with Sack in his name" Rob Cordry

[Beware the Beast Man]

6. Like Rob Corddry said on "The Daily Show",

appointing Vilsack would make it just too easy on Republicans to attack him on his name alone :)

[emulatorloo]

9. A: The ineffectual Dem Governor of Iowa

Smart guy, good talker. Amiable.

[Skidmore]

14. Ineffectual?

I think he's done a fine job keeping our Puke legislature in line. Good guy with a good heart. Smart and knows when to play hardball.

[emulatorloo]

15. I think I am too cranky to be on DU today

OTOH people I know are in higher ed, and sometimes I feel he lets the Pukes go crazy with their wacky education-hating ideas w the mildest of complaints.

edit clarify, grammar

[cjbuchanan]

18. We all have our cranky days.

It's fun to share them at DU.

;)

[KittyWampus]

13. Kind Of Sad Kerry's Vetters Have To Dig Through Vilsack's Old Columns

ones he did long ago...

how can ANYONE be perfect enough to get elected anymore.

This article is VERY complementary towards Tom!