Iowa's top statesmen have low U.S. profile

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More than two-thirds of those surveyed, or 68 percent, had never heard of Vilsack, according to the poll, conducted Sept. 26-30 by Selzer & Co. Inc. of Des Moines.

Likewise, 62 percent of those surveyed had never heard of Grassley, and 49 percent were unfamiliar with Harkin.

The findings demonstrate the challenge over the next two years for Vilsack, who must become better known if he is to be considered a viable presidential contender. The results also underscore how few recognize Grassley's influence on critical national issues such as Social Security, taxes and the Supreme Court, or Harkin's sway on spending for health and human services.

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Vilsack may have ambition beyond Iowa's borders, but nationally he doesn't hold a household name.

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Vilsack has aggressively worked to raise his national profile in the past two years, taking increasingly leading roles in the Democratic Party and appearing more frequently on television as a party spokesman. Last year, he survived all but the final cut for the vice presidential nomination and later flirted with running for chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He now leads the Democratic Leadership Council, a policy group once led by Clinton.

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http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051010/NEWS09/510100322/1056

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Much more to this article, couldn't put it all in this post.

(though he wouldn't be bad at all in that spot) but Bill Clinton didn't have name recognition outside of Arkansas at this time before the 1992 campaign either. Perhaps a low profile is the way to go -- less damage potential...