Iowa Governor Makes His Case

Iowa Governor Makes His Case for Stepping Into the National Limelight With Kerry
By DAVID M. HALBFINGER

Published: June 27, 2004



DES MOINES, June 24 - Ask Gov. Tom Vilsack, the unknown quantity on John Kerry's known list of potential running mates, when he last met in private with Mr. Kerry, and you get nothing.

"You'll have to ask John Kerry about his schedule," he says with a winking smile, several times a day, everywhere he goes.

But ask Mr. Vilsack how he could possibly help Mr. Kerry win in November - he, a man from such a small state, all but unheard of elsewhere, with none of the national-security experience that both parties are calling central to this election - and make sure you are in a comfortable seat.

"My home address is 402 Main St.,'' says the man from Mount Pleasant, Iowa. "Main Street,'' he repeats, as if his point could have been missed.

"I've lived in a small town, I've worked in a small town, I've been the mayor of a small town," Mr. Vilsack continues. "I understand the hopes, the aspirations, the frustrations and the anxieties of people who live in communities all over America. If you look at battleground states, many of them have one thing in common: They border the Mississippi, just like Iowa. I know the people of small-town U.S.A."

Tom Vilsack may not have the name recognition of John Edwards or Richard A. Gephardt; he may not have legions of trial lawyers and donors or leaders of big unions lobbying Mr. Kerry to choose him. But make no mistake: He wants the job badly.

-snip-

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/politics/campaign/index.html

************

I've always thought of Vilsak as a "courtesy" candidate, Kerry repaying the Vilsaks for their critical support in Iowa. But it looks as though he is under serious consideration. He is an attractive candidate, whom Kerry seems to be very comfortable with. But I still don't think he packs enough punch for the VP spot.

she is an independent type who does what she wants.and she had many common interests with kerry on the issues. also ,kerry's campaign had already picked up by then. the endorsement also came when tom harkin endorsed dean. but Vilsack was always seen as a possible vp for anyone because he is from the midwest and in a swing state and he is a governor. i don't think Kerry will pick him in the end though and if some more recent reports are true, he is out of the running.

She would not have made the endorsement without their being in agreement. Vilsak had stated that he would not endorse any candidate. Christie could have sat it out as well. When she endorsed Kerry in those closing days, it was abolutely perceived as Kerry getting the nod from the Vilsak machine - which of course it was.

That said, I agree with you that Vilsak will probably not be Kerry's pick.