Vilsack gaining support for V.P. nominee

[Freddie Stubbs]

The leader of a powerful Democratic group calls him the best choice.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
June 12, 2004



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Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack appears to be gaining traction among influential moderate Democrats to be Sen. John Kerry's running mate.

Al From, leader of the centrist Democratic movement that propelled Bill Clinton to the presidency, said Vilsack is unique among the class of would-be running mates in his work advancing the types of reforms backed by From's group, the Democratic Leadership Council.

Without explicitly endorsing him, From called Vilsack "very much a favorite of mine" among potential running mates. The group includes Democrats more visibly associated with From's group than Vilsack, including Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, the council's chairman.

"Those are all good people, but what makes Vilsack a really unique guy is he really has an eye toward the future," said From. "It's one of those deals where there are a lot of DLC guys who could be the vice presidential nominee, but I would be very, very excited if Tom Vilsack were the nominee. I just don't think you find a more solid, more innovative, more forward-looking person."

more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040612/NEWS09/406120362/1056/NEWS09

[robbedvoter]

1. That's nice, dear.

[bluestateguy]

2. I think Vilsack is a bore

He would deliver Iowa, but I don't see him delivering much else. An all northern Democratic ticket has not won since 1940. I prefer him to Gephardt, but I am still hoping for Edwards or Clark.

[AP]

3. I think this comes round to the fact the DLC doesn't like Edwards.

And it looks like Edwards has been getting lots of good press the last few days, so they need some counterspin.

I've said this a thousand times: Dan Schorr on NPR last summer said that the DLC was not a big fan of Edwards because of his votes on trade issues which they supported and Edwards voted against.

Free trade is one of the DLC's biggest issues.

So they don't like Edwards, and they probably don't like Gephardt that much either.

[TexasSissy]

4. Really? Wish I knew more about him. Hope he's not boring or old.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. He is only 53 years old

Exciting? He is the first Democrat elected Governor of Iowa since the mid-1960s.