Vilsack to endorse Clinton for president

[wyldwolf]

DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a major political coup, captured the endorsement of former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who recently abandoned his own presidential bid, officials told The Associated Press on Friday.

Vilsack and his wife, Christie, planned to make the endorsement on Monday when the New York senator will be in the state, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the planned formal statement next week.

Clinton spokesman Mark Daley would not confirm Vilsack's endorsement, but did say the campaign had a major announcement planned for Monday in Des Moines.

Iowa is the first test in the presidential primary with caucuses on Jan. 14, 2008, and backing from both Vilsacks is certain to boost the Democratic front-runner. A win in Iowa provides critical momentum, especially with a spate of primaries and caucuses early in the nomination calendar.

In 2004, Christie Vilsack backed Democratic Sen. John Kerry, support that helped the eventual nominee win the Iowa caucuses.

Vilsack, who served two terms as Iowa governor, launched his own bid for president in November, but dropped out of the race on Feb. 23. He said his campaign could not raise enough money to continue.

Vilsack had been courted by most of the major Democratic contenders for the presidential nomination and once he left the race, he became a likely prospect as a vice presidential running mate.

Vilsack, 56, left office in January and traveled to early voting states, but he attracted neither the attention nor the campaign cash of his top-tier rivals — Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) and John Edwards. He even faced obstacles in his home state.

Once he quit the race, Vilsack fielded calls from most of the Democrats running for president, including Clinton and Obama. He also heard from former President Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, who is working for Clinton.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070323/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_vilsack

[PresidentObama]

1. Good for her. He's a possible VP choice IMO if Clinton gets the nomination.

This was predictable, however!!

[Bucky]

38. Knuckling under this fast won't make him VP; he'll get (or pick) HHS or Ag at best.

All he really bought was some speaking time at the convention--so long as her people are running the convention.

[PresidentObama]

53. I don't believe thats what I said. He's been a possible VP choice for a while.

Long before he dropped out even.

[iamjoy]

2. Yes, He Did So Well In 2004

yep, sure did. Vilsack helped pick our nominee. Kerry owes him a great debt.

Vilsack sure knows how to pick winners

:sarcasm:

OK - Don't get all defensive about Kerry. I have no doubt he would have made a GREAT President, but he didn't make a good candidate.

[PresidentObama]

5. Ignorance is bliss. n/t

[TSIAS]

18. To clarify

His wife, who holds significant influence in Iowa, did endorse Kerry. Vilsack was officially neutral, but it can be surmised that he was for Kerry.

Endorsements don't seem to matter that much. When Sen. Tom Harkin endorsed Dean, many people thought it sealed the deal for Dean. But in reality, it didn't mean very much.

[blm]

42. His wife didn't do so til a few days before primary - veterans, firefighters, and students

won the day for Kerry - they were the ones who worked hard for him that last month.

[Mass]

19. Actually, Vilsack did not endorse Kerry until AFTER Iowa.

As a governor, he remained neutral. As for his wife, she only endorsed Kerry a few days before the primary, nothing to do with this.

There is no surprise in this endorsement. Vilsack was until a few weeks the head of the DLC, and Hillary Clinton is basically the only remaining DLC candidate. Vilsack endorsing somebody else is what would have been amazing.

[Tellurian]

23. How could Kerry not make a good candidate? He WON the election!

It was another case of Grand Theft by Republican Operatives and the most important reason for supporting Hillary in the Primarys.
I want assurance we will have a Demo President in 09.' If they try stealing the next election from the Clintons, there will be HELL to Pay! And that, my friend, you can take to the bank!

[PresidentObama]

24. AMEN. Kerry won, just like Gore. In any event, if Hillary gets the nomination...she wins. n/t

[Colobo]

26. Gore won, Kerry lost.

[Tellurian]

28. Katz...you've got to catch up..

here are three independent articles proving Kerry Won..

Why would I say it, if it wasn't true?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/MEN412A.html

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1104-36.htm

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen

[PresidentObama]

33. Living under a rock I see?!? n/t

[mtnsnake]

40. You're right. Gore won, got screwed by the SC. Kerry lost, got beat by an imbecile

Worst campaign I've ever seen. John Kerry is a fine senator and a horrible campaigner. Stale as a month old loaf of bread.

[PresidentObama]

45. Your opinions about his campaign are to be respected and valued. But you can't deny he won.

The FACTS suggest otherwise, my friend!!

We won in 2000 and in 2004, and Bush walked away with the WH. It's bullshit, and it's why we need to make sure the voting process is functioning FINE in 2008 and that WE win the election in 2008. President Edwards, President Obama, President Clinton, President Clark, President Richardson and so on....they all sound better than President McCain or President Giuliani :scared:

[mtnsnake]

51. Okay, I agree

but I'm not telling which of those sentences I agree with. }(

they all sound better than President McCain or President Giuliani

Getting stuck with either of those two rats would be the most evil joke that destiny could play on us, especially Giuliani. Both would suck, but Giuliani would be just as arrogant and smug an asshole as Bush.

[mtnsnake]

41. Yeah sure Kerry won. Right. That's why he's sitting in the WH.

How could Kerry not make a good candidate?

Surely you jest! :evilgrin:

[PresidentObama]

44. Gore won too, and he's not sitting in the WH.

With Kerry's new book out, it seems both are passionately speaking out about the enviromental crisis. So while neither is in the WH, both voices are strong in this environmental fight.

[mtnsnake]

48. Kerry's got a new book out? Is it a cook book by any chance?

"How to Get Your Goose Cooked in the Middle of a Campaign" by John Kerry

:hi:

[PresidentObama]

49. Nope, my friends. It's a great book, and very important and useful.

I suggest all Americans who care about the environment, and our future read it!!

No laughing matter here. Much like Gore, Kerry realizes the crisis of global warming.

[mtnsnake]

52. In all seriousness, yes

it would be a good idea for everyone to read it. The environment is my number one priority, and yes, Kerry has been one of its strongest advocates over the years.

[blm]

34. Why? Can you name the Dem who the press WOULD HAVE covered honestly?

Can you name the Dem who would have had a different DNC in place that HAD secured the election process for the four years before election day?

Can you name the Dem who would have HAD the entire party supporting HIS position on terror and military issues instead of Bush's in 2003-2004?

Can you name the Dem who had a left media in place that wouldn't have gotten their asses kicked by the RW media machine day in and day out?

Kerry won - the RNC stole it for Bush.

And Vilsack didn't win Iowa for Kerry - firefighters and veterans and college students did it.

[DemKR]

3. Excellent choice!! nt

[ddeclue]

4. SO???

Vilsack was a very minor candidate from a very small state with no chance to win. He was coming in FOURTH in his own state of Iowa where he was the former governor. If he can't have any influence there, just where do you think his "endorsement" is going to matter?

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[PresidentObama]

7. He is the former Gov. of an early primary state, and a former 08' candidate.

His endorsement matters. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[ddeclue]

Not really...

Again if you can't be relevant in your own home state, where else will you be relevant? Just ANSWER the question, don't make meaningless assertions.

Vilsack dropped out for the obvious reason that he is irrelevant to the voters and can't raise any money because of it.

The real Democratic endorsements that will matter in order of importance will be:

1) Al Gore
2) John Kerry
3) Wesley Clark

I'm assuming that Kerry will eventually endorse Edwards, that Gore will sit on his hands for a long time and then possibly endorse Hillary unless he jumps in himself, and I don't know what Clark will do.

Hillary obviously already has the endorsement of Bill so that one has already been decided but it is also discounted because they are husband and wife.

Doug D.

[PresidentObama]

10. Clark is probably going to run. And I don't think Kerry will endorse Edwards. n/t

[still_one]

13. I don't know who Kerry will endorse, but I sure hope Clark and Gore run

I am also glad that Kucinich is there

I want ALL the candidates feet held to the fire so we know EXACTLY where they stand on Iraq

I am tired of the nonspecific issues where they stand

The only thing I know for sure is they all believe that:

The sky is blue
Rain is wet
war is bad
peace is good

TELL ME WHAT YOU WILL DO ABOUT IRAQ? Tell me if you will open talks with ANYONE, or selective choose who you will talk with?

[Bucky]

39. I don't.

I hope Clark OR Gore runs. I'm not sure the ecosystem of the primaries can handle both of them, even if "events" remove Mr Edwards from the final contention--as I fear they may still do.

(Forgive me for being ghoulish, but these matters must be taken into account).

[Inspired]

35. Yeah him and his 5 remaining supporters.

Big deal.

I'm in Iowa and I know for a fact that THIS IS NO BIG DEAL.

Vilsack is irrelevant in Iowa.

Our current Governor's wife is a big John Edwards supporter.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. I'm Shocked.

Shocked.

I need to sit down for a spell.

[PassingFair]

12. LOL

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=85&subid=108&contentid=253426

I'm having a fit of the VAPORS.

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. Changing the conversation

LOL! I'll give it to Hillary! That team knows how to subtly change the topic without anyone noticing.

From what I understand, Edwards has invested two years in Iowa and has worked hard to win it. After the presser yesterday, he likely strengthened it from not just the best person for the job politically, but personally as well.

The timing of this is no accident.

[still_one]

11. That may be, but why not Bill Richardson, Dodd, perhaps Gore or Clark

This election is a long way off, and personally I am not impressed by Clinton at all. She has been all over the board on Iraq, and that is a VERY REAL PROBLEM for me

[Norquist Nemesis]

16. Yes, but you've been paying attention

This endorsement may not get extensive, continued national coverage but it's going to be headlines in IA where the people who cast votes are. It's a smooth move on the part of the Clinton team.

BTW, I'm still undecided too.

[still_one]

17. The MSM knows exactly what they want to cover, and what they don't want to cover

[Mass]

21. Let see.

Vilsack is the former president of the DLC and Clinton was part of the leadership of the DLC at the same time. I am not sure why somebody would be surprised. A lot of people have said that Vilsack was a stalking horse for her.

[xxqqqzme]

27. what I thought as well - they're both DLCers

no big shocker here.

'A major political coup'?? That's quite over the top!

[still_one]

9. If the Dem machinery believe Clinton is the best the Dems have to offer that is sad

Especially since her position in the last six years on Iraq was pathetic

but I am sure we will make every possible excuse for the WORST MISTAKE IN AMERICAN FORIEGN POLICY IN THE LAST 100 years

Lets support someone who was Wrong on Iraq, Wrong on the Bankrupcy bill, and continues to say we will need to keep some troops in Iraq for some time

[Adelante]

14. A call from Al Gore

Veddy interesting if he called on his own behalf or somebody else's - either way.

[goodhue]

15. how annoying

[Mass]

20. Totally shocking and unexpected.

:sarcasm:

[bigdarryl]

29. Who cares he's a NON-ISSUE he was loosing badly in Iowa when he was in the race....

the other candidates will get endorsements also.

[Forkboy]

22. And the nation let's out a giant,"Who?"

Most endorsements are like ties in a hockey game,and this one is no exception.

[cooolandrew]

25. Well he's responsible for Kerry well that's lovely. Should of been edwards that year really.

[Inspired]

36. Yes, and it would have been with just a couple more days.

And we would have had the White House back.

Vilsack wants a VP nod.

A Clinton/Vilsack ticket? A one-way ticket to another republican White House.

[PresidentObama]

50. Responsible for Kerry? What a joke. n/t

[Colobo]

30. I'll be endorsing Obama in the next few days

Just wait for the official press conference next week. :)

[PresidentObama]

47. Be sure and post the link on DU.

:sarcasm:

[mmonk]

31. Duh

eom

[Czolgosz]

32. Hillary, Richardson, Biden and Vilsack - DLC peas in a pod. This is hardly news. Nor will it be news

when Biden drops out shortly and endorses Hillary or when Richardson drops out after that and also endorses Hillary.

While Vilsack predictably endorsed Hillary, it would be more interesting to see who Vilsack's campaign staff is now supporting.

[Bucky]

37. Did she say "Thank you, Mr Secretary?"

She kicked his ass (campaign donation-wise) and made him like it. Don't ever underestimate this woman. She's powerful.

But she's still not gonna win.

[Clarkie1]

43. With that kind of poor judgment, no wonder he had so little support. nt

[NoPasaran]

46. That's got to be worth... dozens of votes!

SO long, Tom. We hardly knew ye.

[ButterflyBlood]

54. Fuck Vilsack

warmongerer.

[Morgana LaFey]

55. Why, what a surprise

NOT.

DLC, DLC, DLC, DLC.