Tom Vilsack 2008

Future Updates on Democratic Race

2008-02-24T05:42:00.000-08:00

For future updates on the Democratic Race for the Nomination, please visit:

Barack Obama 2008 http://2008obama.blogspot.com

or

Hillary Clinton 2008 http://2008clinton.blogspot.com

Thank You from Tom Vilsack

2007-02-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack has issued the following statement which confirms that he will be withdrawing from the race for the Democratic nomination for President. Vilsack clearly explains that the reason is money - it would be increasingly difficult to compete with the likes of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Thank You

"I am very fortunate -- blessed in love, family, friends, job, and by this campaign.

That is why this morning after discussing with my wife, Christie, and our sons, Jess and Doug, we have decided to end our campaign for the presidency.

The truth is we have everything to win the nomination and general election -- everything except money.

I want to thank everyone for all of their support, hard work, and kinds words over the past few months. Christie and I appreciate everything everyone has done for us.

My heart tells me to stay and continue fighting for the values we share and believe -- but I cannot continue campaigning with the expectation of raising hundreds of millions of dollars.

I am leaving one campaign but I am not saying goodbye. I will continue to fight for the outsiders and the underdogs who are the backbone of the Democratic Party and our country. And I will continue to fight for an end to the war, achieve energy security and get our country back on track. So stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

I am proud of the ideas that we have presented, and I am proud of the work that we have already done. And I urge you to continue fighting for the issues that we care so deeply about.

Our ideas will not be forgotten, and I will continue advocating for immediately bringing our troops home from Iraq. It’s the only action we can take that will truly help our country.

Again, thank you for everything and stay tuned. Our fight for a better America is far from over."

Vilsack Expected to Withdraw from Race

2007-02-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

According to campaign sources, Tom Vilsack will be withdrawing from the race for the Democratic Nomination for President.

Vilsack will be holding a press conference this morning, 11.30 CST to make the announcement.

It is understood that Vilsack has struggled to compete with the better known candidates, Clinton, Obama and Edwards. Even in Iowa, his home state, he is well behind in the polls.

Vilsack was considered by John Kerry as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2004 before opting for John Edwards.

His decision to withdraw now could keep him in contention as a VP candidate in 2008.

Tom Vilsack Does Leno

2007-02-18T02:05:00.000-08:00

Tom Viksack got a boost for his campaign for the nomination on Thursday night, with an appearance on Jay Leno's tonight show.

Also appearing on the show was actor Jim Carrey.

Vilsack responded to concerns that he wasn't very well known, saying that he wasn't a rock star, he was rock solid. He also spoke of his energy plan and his intentions to pull the troops out of Iraq.

He also took part in a skit with an NBC security guard, who wouldn't let Vilsack onto the set because he didn't recognise him. An appearance on the biggest talk show in America will go some of the way to alleviating that problem.

Vilsack On Fox

2007-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack has been on the Fox News Network twice in the last week, to talk about his campaign for the Democratic Nomination. Last week he was on Hannity and Colmes. Earlier this week he was also on Fox and Friends.

Vilsack says that he intends to win Iowa, and the polls are nothing to go by at this early stage. He said that there were a number of rock star candidates and rock solid candidates - he puts himself in the latter category.

Check out the Hannity and Colmes interview here.

Vilsack Unveils Energy Plan

2007-02-14T06:29:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack has unveiled a major energy plan which includes an aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by the year 2050. Vilsack was speaking in San Francisco to the Commonwealth Club last night.

In his speech, Vilsack said that energy security was the single biggest issue facing America today.

The Vilsack plan would also cap carbon dioxide emissions, force new power plants to be carbon free by 2020 and provide tax incentives for the production of ethanol.

Interestingly, Vilsack has also pledged to make his Presidential campaign the first in history to be "Carbon Neutral". The campaign will monitor Vilsack's travel, the energy used in his offices and other activities, then donate funds to a company that invests in renewable fuels.

Good to see. One wonders if other candidates might take up the same scheme.

Vilsack Challenges Obama to Debate

2007-02-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack yesterday challenged Barack Obama to a debate in his home state of Iowa.

Vilsack will be attending the candidate's forum in Carson City, Nevada, on February 21. However, Barack Obama has decided not to attend the forum, saying that he will be campaigning in Iowa.

The forum in Carson City is being organised by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, (AFSCME), and all of the other declared candidates have agreed to participate.

Vilsack has said that the AFSCME represents workers in Iowa as well, and they would be happy to organise another forum for the debate. Vilsack has offered to fly out to Iowa after the Nevada forum to meet Obama for a debate.

Obama's campaign have thus far refused the offer.

Vilsack to San Francisco

2007-02-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack will be heading west tomorrow, and will speak at the Commonwealth Club, a local public affairs forum. A number of Democratic candidates will be heading to California in the coming weeks. John Edwards will be there on Thursday and Barack Obama plans to attend fundraisers there next week.

This from the Commonwealth Club.

"The first Democratic candidate to officially throw his hat into the 2008 presidential ring will lay out his vision for a new country and improved government. Outgoing Iowa governor Vilsack faces tough competition from fellow candidates Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. Don't miss your chance to hear what sets Vilsack apart from the pack, as he weighs in on energy security, economic development and education investment, among other pressing issues."

Over 1100 Iowans Support Vilsack

2007-02-11T22:30:00.001-08:00

On Friday, Tom Vilsack released a list of over 1100 Iowan supporters who will campaign for him over the next 12 months. His campaign has already opened up 7 offices across Iowa to build the organization and recruit more volunteers.

Vilsask also said that "Our campaign is making the kind of early investment of time and resources to secure more early support than any presidential candidate in either party."

"We'll use this organization to talk to Iowa voters about our plan to bring change to America, make us independent of Mideast oil and get our troops out of harm's way in Iraq."

Vilsack intends to win Iowa, and he said he wouldn't be satisfied with anything less. A recent poll had Vilsack at 12%.

The Vilsack offices have been set up in the following locations.

Des Moines - Polk County
Ames - Story County
Cedar Rapids - Linn County
Davenport - Scott County
Waterloo- Black Hawk County
Sioux City - Woodbury County
Council Bluffs - Pottawattamie County

Tom Vilsack's Donors

2007-02-06T04:51:00.000-08:00

Last week we reported here that Tom Vilsack had raised over $1.1 million for his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Congressional Quarterly have put together an analysis of the campaign finance report filed by Tom Vilsack. It provides a list of some of the donors, which includes Billionaires Warren Buffet and Eli Broad.

Check out their analysis here.

I'm the True Outsider - Tom Vilsack

2007-02-06T04:36:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack declared on Sunday that he was the true outsider in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Vilsack said that he had the experience, he had governed effectively in health care, energy and balancing budgets. He said that he had turned a red state to blue, and that Americans want outsiders.

He said he had governed for 8 years, and nobody had that kind of executive experience. Although Vilsack is only on 1% in the polls, he cited Bill Clinton at this stage of the game for the 1992 nomination, who was in 11th place.

Vilsack intends to win Iowa and he says he has a good organisation in place.

Vilsack - Cut Iraq Funding

2007-02-06T04:25:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack is calling for the Congress to use its Constitutional powers to cut funding and stop the war in Iraq.

Vilsack said that Congress has the moral and Constitutional responsibility to tell President Bush "enough". He said that it is time for the troops to come home, that it is clear that the surge would not work.

Vilsack is calling himself the only candidate to call for Congress to use its power to cut off funding.

Watch Tom Vilsack here on Wolf Blitzer Late Edition on Sunday.

Tom Vilsack at DNC Winter Meeting

2007-02-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

"Courage to Create Change"

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack spoke this morning at the Democratic National Committee's Winter Meeting. The meeting is considered a crucial step in building momentum for a run for the Democratic Nomination.

Vilsack gave an impassioned speech about the need for America's leaders to replace fear with courage and called for the courage to create change. He said that many of the policies in Washington have been created through fear, but each of us has the capacity to overcome it.

Vilsack made it clear that the American Dream can never be revived by fear.

Like candidates John Edwards and Bill Richardson, Vilsack called on Congress to end the war in Iraq. He said that Congress has the moral obligation to end the war now - not eventually - immediately.

Vilsack said that Congress had the power to fund the war, they must now have the power to end the war. Capping is not the answer, real change will only come about by ending the war and bringing the troops home now.

Vilsack also spoke of the need to protect children, in making sure the no child behind policy actually works. He said that America needs to effect real change on renewable energies, and on universal health insurance.

It was a good speech by Vilsack, in which he recognised that he is an outsider. But he said that outsiders have the great ability to be able to create change.

Head to Tom Vilsack's website to watch the video.

Vilsack on Late Edition Sunday

2007-02-02T20:37:00.001-08:00

Tom Vilsack is scheduled to appear on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer this Sunday.

It will come after Vilsack's speech tomorrow to the Democratic National Committee's Winter Meeting.

Vilsack Raises $1.1 million

2007-01-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

Former Governor of Iowa and Democratic Presidential hopeful, Tom Vilack has raised over $1.1million for his campaign.

Vilsack considers himself an outsider, but this is an impressive amount to have raised this far out. It came from over 1300 individual donors.

A Vilsack spokesperson said that "Vilsack's early fundraising success ensures that our campaign will be able to win Iowa and then the Democratic nomination based on his message of having the courage to create change in America."

Hillary Clinton already has over $14 million in the bank, and Obama has secured the support of John Kerry backer Alan D Solomont in a major boost to his campaign. George Soros has also said he will support Obama.

Vilsack - NO TROOP CAP

2007-01-27T04:06:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack has again said that there should be no troop cap in Iraq, nor a phased withdrawal.

Vilsack is trying to differentiate himself from those in Congress like Hillary Clinton who are arguing for a cap of troops at 140,000 followed by a phased withdrawal. John Edwards is adopting a similar strategy.

Saying that capping troops is continuing the failed strategy, and is just the same as "staying the course", Vilsack said that "What we ought to be doing is aggressively redeploying troops out of Iraq."

Vilsack will be in Fort Dodge, Iowa today (Saturday) at a town meeting.

Clinton is also making a 2 day trip to Iowa this weekend - her first visit there in over 3 years. She has appointed the former chief of staff of Senator Harkin as a campaign advisor.

Senator Harkin is still a strong supporter of Vilsack, despite some heavy lobbying and photo opportunities this week by Clinton and Barack Obama.

Bush Tone Deaf - Vilsack

2007-01-25T09:25:00.001-08:00

Tom Vilsack responded to President Bush's State of the Union Address by saying that his performance was "tone deaf and without substance."

Vilsack said that there was nothing new offered in the President's speech, despite the overwhelming desire for change from the America people.

Vilsack was looking for real solutions on things like immigration, healthcare, energy and the environment, but couldn't find them in the President's speech.

On Iraq, Vilsack said that Bush was only paying lip service to the catastrophe in Iraq, for which he has no real plan.

And Vilsack appeared to echo the sentiment expressed by John Edwards in recent weeks, that the Congress is not doing enough to bring about the end of the conflict. He said that "Congress has continued meandering discussions of non-binding resolutions and troop caps."

Tom Vilsack - Withdraw Troops - No Cap

2007-01-22T21:09:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack opposes the capping of U.S troops in Iraq, arguing instead for a full withdrawal.

Vilsack was campaigning in New Hampshire late last week and was speaking to a group of seventh graders at a Londonderry school.

Joining John Edwards in arguing for Congress to oppose new funding for the escalation, Vilsack differs from other candidates Clinton and Obama on troop levels. Vilsack said that "I don't get the capping of troops. We've got to be taking troops out of Iraq"

Vilsack said that the amount of money being spent in Iraq was limiting the amount of money that could be spent at home.

Vilsack in New Hampshire - Welcomes Obama

2007-01-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

As expected, Tom Vilsack will be visiting key state New Hampshire today and over the weekend. He will be spending today in Londonderry and Concord, followed by a trip to the Southern Tier on Saturday.

The Vilsack campaign welcomed Barack Obama's announcement that he was setting up an exploratory committee. This is the statement by Vilsack's campaign manager:

“We welcome Barack Obama and all the other candidates into the race. Voters across our country are going to hear a real debate about how to put the Bush years behind us and get America moving in the right direction. We’re glad that other candidates are joining the race. We look forward to a real debate about the issues as the other candidates begin to speak out.”

Vilsack - Campaign for President

2007-01-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

Tom Vilsack, former Governor of Iowa, announced in November 2006 that he would be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

Vilsack is considered an outsider, but he does have the advantage of residing in the crucial first primary state, Iowa. Vilsack was a 2 term Governor of Iowa - when he won in 1998, he was the first Democrat to do so in 30 years.

Vilsack has also made at least 3 visits to New Hampshire.

Vilsack has been very active on the campaign trail, and being one of first Democrats to declare will be a boost to his status outside of Iowa.

Time Magazine has indicated that they believe Vilsack's odds at this stage to be 82-1. However, as the race heats up, expect that to drop.

Vilsack will be a stayer - and anyone who was a Governor of Iowa would most certainly be contesting that state.

Tom Vilsack is running to win. But having reportedly been considered by John Kerry as a Vice Presidential Candidate in 2004, there is also a strong chance that he would be on the short list for that role again should he not secure victory.

Tom Vilsack: Running for President

2006-12-21T23:50:00.001-08:00