People are saying who? Governor of Iowa is not a good stepping stone. "Hey Martha, bring the No-Doze. Vilsack is speaking again!"

>Honest, hard-working and effective. A heartland Democrat who connects with people and is passionate about restoring the sense of community that has been diminishing in recent years.

If we want to win we need a candidate like Vilsack who can relate to the American people not Hollywood

I've heard Vilsack speak a few times. He represents traditional family values, but seems progressive in his thinking and sees the need for re-establishing a sense of community or common good in the U.S. He might be able to pull off a cultural change where intelligent people could disagree on issues, but still treat each other with civility. He doesn't seem to be someone whose minions would set out to demonize anyone who disagreed with him.

Good, common sense approach, comes from the heartland, and, a distinction from many of his fellow democrats, will be courageous in his stands if need be.

Well, at least he may win one state in the Democratic primary (his own). Although that is an important state in the primary elections, I don't see this campaign going anywhere.

Vilsack might help the Dems shore up their midwestern base, one that hasn't really grown much over the past few election cycles. Like Warner, he's a fairly popular governor, although Vilsack is a more partisaned figure. Traditional farm issues like Ethanol might help in the farm states but will damage him in other parts of the country, that's why we don't have many presidents who have come from that part of the country. The politics of the region is very specific, and once candidates like that go national, they tend to get caught up in broader currents (see Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa). Overall I don't see this candidacy taking off.

He's seen by many Iowans as out of touch. Also, few outside of Iowa and politics know who he is.

could be a ticket-balancing VP candidate.

Great! Wait, who the hell is he?

as Evan Bahy's VP I could easily see a Democratic win in 08.

Might be DNC chair soon if he can hold off Dean challange. If he runs Iowa Caucus is instantly irrelevent. Could not win NH. Vilsack would hurt midwestern populist Feingold by forcing the Wisconsin Senator to win NH.

From th electable wing of the Dem. Party, which means he won't win the primary

Iowa governor Tom Vilsack may just be what the DEMS need in 08. He is from a midwestern farm state. He is in touch with working class people. He understand better traditional family values because if he were anything like John Kerry Iowa wouldn't have voted him in. He could help to steal away primarily traditionally Republican states like the Dakota's, Nebraska, and southern states. He, like Edwards or Obama, is one to watch out for. (Fellow Republicans this means you)