Democrat Vilsack Ends Presidential Bid

Former Iowa Governor Had Hard Time Gaining Traction

(CBS/AP)  Democrat Tom Vilsack, the former Iowa governor who built a centrist image, abandoned his bid for the presidency on Friday after struggling against better-known, better-financed rivals.

"It is money, and only money, that is the reason we are leaving today," Vilsack told reporters at a news conference, later adding, "We have a debt we're going to have to work our way through."

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 - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and John Edwards.

"Vilsack's decision reflects the real difficulties these candidates face in mounting viable challenges in a field with names like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards," said CBSNews.com Senior Political Editor Vaughn Ververs. "That Vilsack was finding little traction in a state he governed for eight years says something about the amount of oxygen being sucked up by those three candidates."

In the most recent financial documents, Vilsack reported raising more than $1.1 million in the last seven weeks of 2006 but only had around $396,000 in the bank. Some campaign finance experts contend candidates will need $20 million by June 2007 to remain viable.

"I came up against something for the first time in my life that hard work and effort couldn't overcome," he said. "I just couldn't work any harder, couldn't give it enough."

Vilsack's campaign had been pegging much of its hopes on staging early wins in his native Iowa and, to a lesser extent, New Hampshire. But he admitted that he would not have been able to raise the money to compete beyond that, particularly in the large number of states expected to hold Feb. 5 nominating contests.

"We could not raise the money that would have allowed us to expand our organization," he said in a conference call with reporters that followed his initial announcement. "With other states threatening to move up the calendar, the premium on money became even more compelling."

He said his decision to drop out had been in the making for the past few weeks, even though he had maintained he was in the race to win as recently as Wednesday at a forum for Democratic candidates in Carson City, Nev.

Joining him at the news conference was his wife, Christie, and his two grown sons.

Vilsack's withdrawal still leaves a crowded field of eight Democrats. He will remain an important figure in the presidential race as former rivals undoubtedly will seek his endorsement and help to win Iowa.

Vilsack, who likely will be considered as a vice presidential nominee, repeatedly declined to endorse another candidate at his news conference.

"A decision now could preserve his chances for a spot on the ticket," Ververs said. "Iowa remains an important state for the general election, and Vilsack's Midwestern appeal would be an attractive quality for the eventual Democratic nominee.”

Other campaigns immediately began to seek out Vilsack's well-respected staff, hoping to pick up talented political operatives with experience in the first nominating state.

Clinton issued a statement praising Vilsack and saying, "I have been proud to work with Tom Vilsack for years on the challenges facing our country."

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson could benefit from Vilsack's decision, Ververs said, since he is now the only Democratic candidate with executive experience.

Vilsack was the first Democrat to formally enter the 2008 race when he announced his candidacy in November. He conceded at the time that he faced a difficult run.

Trying to counter perceptions that as one of the least known of the prospective candidates he was too much of an underdog to succeed, Vilsack said in a campaign video: "I've never started a race that I've been expected to win, and I've never lost."

As governor of Iowa, Vilsack had carved out a reputation as a centrist balancing his state's budget and refusing to raise taxes, while emphasizing increased spending on such priorities as education, health care and higher wages. Until recently he chaired the Democratic Leadership Council, the party's signature centrist group.

Vilsack initially made the focus of his long shot campaign a plan to end U.S dependence on foreign oil by promoting alternative energy sources.

"Energy security will revitalize rural America, re-establish our moral leadership on global warming and climate security, and eliminate our addiction to foreign oil," Vilsack, a prominent proponent of ethanol, biodiesel and wind power, said at the time.

More recently, Vilsack has been among the more aggressive Democratic candidates in his call to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, calling for Congress to cut off funding.

Beyond his record as governor, Vilsack tried to sell himself as a candidate with a compelling personal story, which he hoped would spark national interest in his candidacy. He was left as an infant at a Catholic orphanage in Pittsburgh and adopted by what he has described as a "troubled but loving family."

His parents were well-to-do and sent him to a private preparatory school, but his mother was an alcoholic who beat him and his father suffered trying financial reversals.

Vilsack managed to transcend his difficult childhood to build a successful career in law and politics, serving as a mayor, state senator and two terms as Iowa governor.

In a sign that Vilsack might abandon the race, he recently accepted a position lecturing at the Drake University Law School in Des Moines and had become a consultant for MidAmerican Energy Co.

[randalds]

Only problem I see with John Edwards Is the embarrassing thought of him chasing after every ambulance that runs by the White House with a siren screaming.
Posted by thgdriver at 03:23 PM : Feb 24, 2007

Variations of this joke have been popping up far too often for the past several years. It was funny the first one or two times one heard it, but after several thousand times it's really worn thin. Give it a rest for Pete's sake. It's just not that funny.

[agnim]

"It's a shame running for President boils down to the almighty dollar!

Posted by grumpas at 10:13 AM : Feb 24, 2007"

Why?
You can't afford it? LOL

It had to boil down to something, no?

And at the end of the day, the voters will for the most part decide
TO WHOM THEY WANT TO SELL THEIR VOTES/ALLEGIANCE, YES?

[thgdriver]

Only problem I see with John Edwards Is the embarrassing thought of him chasing after every ambulance that runs by the White House with a siren screaming.

[rmerrell1]

Hillary is way ahead in raising money. That seems to upset the right wing nut jobs. It was ok when Bush did it in his first campain. Hillary will make a great president don't worry your pretty little head about that.

[frb01]

It is a shame that Gov Vilsack had to drop out, he seemed like a candidate we should have had more opportunity to learn about. Along with Evan Bayh and Gov. Warner we have lost two other potential candidates. I know enough about Clinton, McCain, and Guiliani, I am learning about Obama but it may be time for a serious streamline to the process, some examples are a cap on campaign spending so that each candidate is working with the same money, an actual campaign calendar, for example the presidential race could not start until December 2007, works or seems to work in other countries. We have an opportunity here to have as many men and women who want to run, run. And we may be surprised at who the last ones left standing are. But we also lose voices we may want to hear because they don't have the financial, a political machine, or an engaging personality. The last comment is not meant to slight Obama, for Richardson, Guiliani, McCain, and Edwards all have the excellent ability to engage and communicate.

[grumpas]

It's a shame running for President boils down to the almighty dollar! It requires to much money and clout to run these days! I think we are missing a lot of good candidate's with it being this way! I personally think the whole system of running for President needs to be overhauled badly! It needs to be a much shorter process, require less money and less mud slinging involved! We are not getting the most qualified candidate but the richest and most powerful!

[hermit22]

in this computer day and age, why don't they set up a web site that asks 1000's of questions, maybe more, of EACH person who thinks they have the brains to run the country, then put the scores up on a score card for the world to see.

abortion? yes or no? merck shots for underage girls? yes or no? if local economic guys don't do something to lower the poverty rates, should their heads roll? yes or no? are taxes fair? yes or no? war? yes or no? "have you stopped beating your wife lately?" yes or no? is a person who cheats on the person they married, fit to run the government? yes or no? has insurance gotten out of hand? yes or no?

voters could email in the questions they want to ask....rather than the political people blowing through millions of dooolars visiting california etc....just put their thoughts on the computer site for an out and out comparison with the rest....just because people can rake in money doesn't mean they are wise. they might just be money grubbers. sometimes the person without a dollar has the right solution just not listened too. pitiful.

[perception5]

He was to decent and moderate for the Democratic Party............ to be successful he would have had to had special traits like:
1. being able to easly lie like the Clintons
2. being worth $35 million as a trial lawyer suing doctors and hospitals like John Edwards (oh did I tell you he was the son of a mill worker?)
3. being our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack's darling like Obama who has during the past 6 months have received $10's millions of dollars of free promotion from our corrupt"free left-wing press"....

other than that he was perfect......

[p-syrus]

The campaigns reliance on cash donations is an unfortunate corrupting influence made worse by Hilary & Obama "sucking the air out of the room".

It will be very unfortunate if the campaigns end too soon because other would be candidates can't afford to "ante-up".

Hilary, although possessed of many excellent qualities in a candidate, is a very divisive figure politically. It's not clear she could win a national election.

Obama, although an attractive candidate with a good deal of good sense in his comments, is unfortunately highly inexperienced in government much less foreign affairs. Despite the excitement of his candidacy it remains to be seen how strong an actual campaign he'll be able to make nationally against a republican opponent, especially if the relatively moderate Giuliani breaks through.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, with his proven track record as a diplomat and government official, is by far the outstanding candidate for president. His clean personal record, personal affability and moderate take on essential issues promise a strong candidacy and an even stronger presidency.

[agnim]

"What are your thoughts on Gingrich? He'll be entering the race very soon.
Posted by bernieb14 at 02:04 PM : Feb 23, 2007"

If Newt is smart, he would do like Vil-sack; surrenders before the race even begins. LOL

A guy who would serve his wife (no matter if she is the b!tch with hellish flash from hell) divorce papers in her hospital bed should be kept under a bed some place, PERMANENTLY!

[agnim]

"I never thought Vilsack had much of a chance, but I'm curious, Agnim. Who do you think will get the Democratic nomination? Obama?

Posted by nolalou at 12:09 PM : Feb 23, 2007"
At the moment, yes, Obama is a very very credible candidate for the reason most Americans wouldn't want to admit; so I'm not going to say it. LOL

However, I'm going to hedge a bit and say that Obama, Hilary, Edwards are the candidates to beat for the nomination.

[bigwhtpony]

If you mean Gingrich, he's not entered the race yet, but I've been hearing that he'll be entering the race in the near future.
Posted by bernieb14 at 02:13 PM : Feb 23, 2007

Newt shouldn't waste his time or money. He has too much baggage....too many ex wives. IMO, he's no better than Clinton.....just a politician in a different suit. He does have some good ideas, though. He may be in the cabinet of the '08 REPUBLICAN president! LOL

[bigwhtpony]

No, I meant Vilsack....I never heard of the guy.

[bigwhtpony]

I havn't decided yet who I'll vote for in the primaries, but by the time it gets to my state, it's usualy a forgone conclusion.
Posted by nolalou at 12:09 PM : Feb 23, 2007

It should be, Lou. Down in the chocolate city, ya'll could use a chocolate president. He is black, right?

Where's your interest in affirmative action? You should vote for the black guy just because he's black! I thought you guys were all about atoning for whitey's sins of the past. I'm so disappointed.

[bernieb14]

bigwhtpony

If you mean Gingrich, he's not entered the race yet, but I've been hearing that he'll be entering the race in the near future.

[bigwhtpony]

I didn't even know he was in!?!?!!? :)

[bernieb14]

nolalou

Pelosi will ruin it for the democrats because she's way too liberal, and will veer anyone on the fence that voted democrat in this last election to go republican in 2008.

What are your thoughts on Gingrich? He'll be entering the race very soon.

[nolalou]

bernieb14, I'm not sure how Pelosi will ruin it for any of the democrats, especialy if the democratic candidate is not a memeber of congress.

As for Gullianni, while he might be a formidable candidate, there is no way in my opinion that he will win enought Republican primaries to get the nomination. A large number of evangelical christians vote in Republican primaries, and there's no way they are going to vote for Gullianni, with his pro-choice, pro civil unions for gay couples, and pro gun-control poistions. (gee, if I didn't know better, I'd amlost think he was a liberal!)

[bernieb14]

Winning Ticket 2008 combinations. Pelosi will ruin it for the dems before then.

Gingrich/Condy
Gingrich/Gullianni
Gullianni/Gingrich
Gullianni/Condy

[randalds]

"Democrat Vilsack Ends Presidential Bid"

(Yawn) So what? He never stood a chance anyway. Obama in '08! Along with....wait for it....drum roll.....General Wesley Clark! That way we get the exciting newcomer, with the steadying influence of a wise military leader as 2nd in command ready to take over in case Cheney and his filthy ilk on the extreme right figure out a way to have Obama killed off.