IowaPolitics.com BlogWatch

Grant Young has some information that will grab Senator Grassley and the rest of the Iowa GOP's attention. Young has a well placed source that says the chatter inside the U.S. Ag Department is that Current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is making initial preparations to return to Iowa to run for the United States Senate. Mike Kiernan, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, has claimed that a "mystery" candidate to challenge Sen. Grassley this fall exists. However some of top Iowa Democrats, including Sen. Harkin and Mike Gronstal, have said that they don't know who Kiernan is referring to. Secretary Vilsack would be the most formidable candidate that Iowa Democrats could put up against Grassley.

Labels: Charles_Grassley, Tom_Vilsack

... The Obama administration's Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has become an articulate spokesperson for local foods. Said Vilsack, "There is, I think, a movement in the country where people are very interested in knowing where their food comes from." "There's a disconnect between the food that we eat and our awareness of where it comes from," Vilsack said. "We think it comes from a grocery store. It doesn't. It comes from family farmers across the country working hard every day." Speaking about the potential health benefits of locally grown food, Vilsack said. "As we focus on health care, and as the health care debate focuses more specifically on prevention and wellness, people are going to be exceedingly interested in fresh food and food that's nutritious."

Labels: agriculture, Tom_Vilsack

Democrats in Iowa should be glad we have an Iowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame and that Sally Pederson and Tom and Christie Vilsack were inducted into it last night [Saturday]. In many ways, the successful Vilsack-Pederson campaign in 1998 was a turning point in a process that is changing the long Republican history of Iowa into something more relevant to modern times. ... Governor Culver bragged about the success of the event's fund raising efforts, saying that more money had been raised this year than in any of the previous years of the Hall of Fame event. What Chet Culver does not understand is that it is false success when among the 2009 Hall of Fame Hosts are listed the powerful interests that stymie the efforts of the progressive movement to do what is right in Iowa and in Washington.

Labels: Tom_Vilsack

I was struck by this passage in a Sunday Des Moines Register feature on Iowans in key posts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture: ... "Vilsack 'made this very creative argument on how during the eight years of the Bush administration, the Europeans would lecture us on how we had to bring our citizens along and educate them on the science of climate change. He turned that around and said, 'You know, you've got a similar responsibility on biotech'' Michener said." That certainly is a "creative" analogy. Getting Americans on board with serious policies on climate change may be our only hope for avoiding a catastrophic global warming scenario. Gaining European acceptance for
genetically-modified crops has no comparable global benefit (no, these crops won't magically end world hunger).

Labels: agriculture, Tom_Vilsack

It appears U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has been hitting the
briefing books. The new leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
fielded federal ag policy questions for nearly an hour Monday morning
in his first presser. Vilsack gave long, detailed answers on biofuels,
farm payment limits and even talked about the importance of the Forest
Service. The Pittsburg-native-turned-Iowa-small-town-mayor also talked
about the need to revitalize rural America, especially through
broadband Internet access. "The capacity of folks in rural communities
to have access to the Internet cannot be underappreciated or
underestimated," Vilsack said. "You can't open yourself up to world
markets, to new opportunities, unless you have access to that tool."

Labels: agriculture, Tom_Vilsack

John Norris will become Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack's chief
of staff at the US Department of Agriculture, Iowa Independent
reported today. Norris was Vilsack's chief of staff early in his first
term as governor. In November, Norris's wife, Jackie Norris, accepted
an offer to become chief of staff for First Lady Michelle Obama.
Before Barack Obama announced his plan to nominate Vilsack to run the
USDA, John Norris indicated that he was interested in being appointed
to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Norris's departure means
that Governor Chet Culver will need to make two appointments to the
three-member Iowa Utilities Board this spring. Norris currently chairs
the IUB.

Labels: Tom_Vilsack

Tom Vilsack's apparent easy U.S. Senate confirmation would take away
one of those potentially "sexy" match ups two years from now: Tom
Vilsack vs. Charles Grassley. But some Iowa democrats aren't giving up
the Vilsack vs. Grassley dream. They'd like Christie Vilsack to get on
the ballot. After Tom's appearance before the Senate Agriculture
Committee, I asked Sen. Grassley about it. He told me expects
democrats to throw everything they have at him because of their strong
2008 election and their current 110,000 voter registration edge in the
state. He doesn't expect a "second-tier" opponent like he had last
time around (Colonel Sanders look-a-like candidate, Art Small, offered
a token contest against Grassley in 2002).

Labels: Charles_Grassley, Tom_Vilsack

I don't recall nearly as intense a reaction to Bill Clinton's or George Bush's nominees for secretary of agriculture. Either food and farm issues are much more salient now than they used to be, or I am noticing it more because Barack Obama is tapping an Iowan to head the USDA. Tom Vilsack's friend Jennifer Donahue says Vilsack is the "best possible" choice for secretary of agriculture. Denise O'Brien urges sustainable agriculture advocates not to give up hope, because as governor Vilsack was accessible and did some good things on food and environmental issues. Another Iowan, Food & Society Policy Fellow Angie Tagtow of Elkhart, wants Vilsack and incoming Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Daschle to work together.

Labels: agriculture, Barack_Obama, Tom_Vilsack

Last Summer, at the Democratic National Convention, former Gov. Tom
Vilsack told a small group of journos that he was still seeking a
calling 18 months after leaving office. Sure, he had about a
half-dozen jobs. He lectured at Harvard this fall and is still
practicing law while advising Iowa State and others on biofuels. He's
been writing on the merits of biotech crops. He co-chaired a state
health coverage task force, where he pushed an effort to cover to
expand state coverage to the children of illegal immigrants. Busy. He
had just returned from a trip to Africa with Bill Clinton, and envied
the former president's foundation work. "I need to figure out how to
do that (focus his talents). I haven't figured that out," Vilsack said
at the time.

Labels: Tom_Vilsack

Barack Obama nominated one of "our own" to his cabinet. But is Tom
Vilsack qualified to be Secretary of Agriculture? If by agriculture
you mean Big Ag, the folks who brought you GMOs, Cloned cattle, and
CAFOs, you betcha. But if you mean agriculture that is sustainable and
healthy, well let's just say Obama could have done a whole lot better
than the Pittsburgh, PA raised Tom Vilsack. According to the Organic
Consumers Association, Vilsack's positions have included the
following: Vilsack has been a strong supporter of genetically
engineered pharmaceutical crops, especially pharmaceutical corn. The
biggest biotechnology industry group, the Biotechnology Industry
Organization, named Vilsack Governor of the Year.

Labels: agriculture, Barack_Obama, Tom_Vilsack

AP and the Reg are now reporting that Tom Vilsack gets named Secretary
of Agriculture tomorrow. Iowa's other ag secretaries, the Henry
Wallaces, had deep deep ag roots with Wallace's Farmer and Pioneer,
but what is there on the Vilsack CV of trial law and governance that
says "Ag" other than "Iowa"? So does that mean that the Grassley 48,
Vilsack 44 poll last week was for nothing? Or is he taking the Mike
Johanns route to the Senate: a brief stint in the cabinet to boost the
resume, then back home to run? (Of course, Johanns was aided by an
open seat, as opposed to taking on a 30-year incumbent...)

Labels: agriculture, Barack_Obama, Tom_Vilsack

A recent Research 2000 poll found a Sen. Chuck Grassley v. Governor Tom Vilsack match-up a feasible win for the Democrats (Grassley 48, Vilsack 44). As far as Iowa blogs, Krusty has the scoop on this one. For those not familiar with Research 2000, they had Becky Greenwald within 5 points of Tom Latham. Latham ended up winning with 61% of the vote. In the presidential contest this year in Iowa they were 6 points low on McCain. ... The lefties have it figured out. If they can find any indication that a Republican is weak, disliked, said something offensive, or has a past demon, they will pounce with all of their liberal blogging allies. That is exactly what happened to Michelle Bachman and that is exactly what they want to happen with Grassley. ... Grassley is entrenched in Iowa and has nothing to worry about. I would like to see Grassley step up and take on the voter registration disadvantage Republicans have in Iowa.

Labels: Charles_Grassley, Tom_Vilsack

Research 2000 poll for Daily Kos gives us the above number in a hypothetical 2010 Senate race. (Note to Christie's fans, the poll specified TOM Vilsack.) ... Vilsack, lost in the cabinet shuffle, could be looking for something to do. Vilsack has the network to raise the money he needs, both in Iowa and beyond, and he'll clearly be the national party's pick for the seat. Watch first to see if he does any work on rebuilding his Democratic base. ... From an Iowa-base perspective, Vilsack backed the wrong horse when he left the presidential race, and to some extent he's seen as a Hillary, DLC Democrat in a Barack Obama party. But he did what he needed to do in the fall, and the Hillary vs. Obama war is fading into the distance with Clinton in the cabinet. Watch to see if the fiery populist Tom of 1998 is seen at get-togethers around the state. (He may still have to answer to the party activists for signing English Only, though. Was he really that scared of Doug freakin' Gross?)

Labels: Charles_Grassley, Tom_Vilsack

A few weeks ago we discussed Tom Vilsack and the false hype regarding
his potential appointment to lead the US Department of Agriculture
which you can read here. At the time we contemplated that it was
really Vilsack or someone close to him that had created the false
hype. Now some revelations have caused me to conclude that Vilsack
most likely did not have anything to do with the rumors that claimed
he was likely to be appointed by Obama. Instead I now believe that it
was Tom Harkin or someone on his staff that leaked this information.
In an article in today's Des Moines Register Iowa's Democratic Senator
Tom Harkin takes exception with President-elect Barack Obama. Harkin
is upset because Obama and his staff have failed to seek advice from
Congressional Democrats.

Labels: Barack_Obama, Tom_Harkin, Tom_Vilsack

Nate Silver is handicapping the 2010 U.S. Senate races at
Fivethirtyeight.com and had this to say about Iowa's seat, held by
five-term incumbent Chuck Grassley: "Grassley will be 77 in 2010 and
could retire, in which case the race probably leans Democrat. Absent a
retirement, a kamikaze mission by someone like Tom Vilsack against the
popular incumbent is unlikely to succeed." ... Perhaps "kamikaze
mission" is too strong a phrase, but we need to acknowledge that Tom
Vilsack or any other Democrat would be a serious underdog against
Grassley. Yes, Iowa now has far more registered Democrats than
Republicans (about 106,000 more, last I heard), but Grassley has
always benefited from a strong crossover vote. Grassley will face
substantial pressure not to retire in 2010, in part because several
other Republican-held Senate seats are likely to be vulnerable.

Labels: Charles_Grassley, Tom_Vilsack, U.S. Senate

A few media outlets are publishing lists of folks who may wind up in
an Obama Administration. Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is
mentioned by The Wall Street Journal and Time magazine as in
consideration for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Now, you Iowans, quit
laughing. Vilsack's a smart guy and while he never farmed, he can
tell the difference between a soybean plant and a corn stalk. I'm not
sure ag policy is his preferred cup of tea, though. He was heavily
involved in energy-related issues during his tenure as governor, so
Secretary of Energy seems a more likely scenario to Iowa political
observers. While he was governor Vilsack signed into law a bill which
made Iowa a much more attractive place to build power plants, for
example, and -- today -- Vilsack probably knows more about the
intricacies of the nation's power grid than about the WTO's Doha
negotiations and their impact on American agriculture.

Labels: agriculture, Tom_Vilsack

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is writing columns these days about revitalizing the rural economy. There are two ironies to be found. In my first year as a legislator, I was placed on the agriculture committee. Sitting next to me -- then-Senator Tom Vilsack, a lawyer and former small-town mayor. At the opening meeting, committee members were asked to introduce themselves. Almost everyone on the committee talked about their farming background. I introduced myself as a community activist. Senator Vilsack turned to me and in a low voice said, "I am so glad to not be the only non-farmer on this committee."

Labels: agriculture, Tom_Vilsack

Today while standing in line to get into the Xcel Center. I saw
someone I thought I recognized. I introduced myself and sure enough, I
was right. The person I saw was former Democrat Iowa Governor, Tom
Vilsack. The same Tom Vilsack who ran for president as a Democrat. The
Governor was standing in line to get into the venue and he had what
looked like a guest pass. He was standing in the normal line and
waited like everyone else. I asked if he were switching parties. He
said, "No you'll have to do a lot more convincing."

Labels: Tom_Vilsack

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack says the revelation of two-time
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' infidelity has
destroyed the North Carolinian's career. And it won't be easily
forgiven in a public sense, Vilsack, a Democrat, said in an interview
during a fund-raiser for 5th District congressional candidate Rob
Hubler at Crossroads Bistro in Carroll. "It's extraordinarily
disappointing," Vilsack said. "His public career, I suspect, has been
damaged irreparably -- as it should." In an interview with ABC News
and in a subsequent statement, Edwards admitted to having an affair
with a former New York City socialite who shot videos for his
campaign.

Labels: John_Edwards, Tom_Vilsack

About 200 people crowded into a room at the back of the Dos Rios
restaurant in downtown Des Moines after work today, at the invitation
of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign. Some of
the people in the room had supported Obama in the Caucuses, but the
event was for the rest -- those who had been keen supporters of other
candidates. The main focus was on carrying Polk County by a wide
margin. Joe Kennedy, Obama's regional field director for Polk County,
was the first to introduce himself to the crowd. Jackie Norris,
Obama's state director, was next. Norris began by praising those in
the room who had backed other candidates. "We all worked our hearts
out," Norris said of the Caucus campaign, ending with a plea for
precinct-level organizing for Obama.

Labels: Barack_Obama, Tom_Vilsack

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, as ABC's The Note put it this
morning, is one of Hillary Clinton's "overly enthusiastic" supporters. (Observers note Vilsack was among those holding a sign and screaming
"Turn Up the Heat" during HRC's speech at the Iowa Democratic Party's
Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner earlier this month.) As you may know,
Oprah Winfrey is going to be campaigning with Obama in Iowa on
Saturday, December 8, 2007. In answer to a reporter who asked Vilsack
what Oprah's ratings were in the Hawkeye State, Vilsack told The
Washington Times in essence that Oprah's show probably isn't as highly
rated in Iowa as it is elsewhere since a high percentage of Iowa women
work a full-time, out-of-the-home job.

Labels: Barack_Obama, Tom_Vilsack

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack was in New York City yesterday to
introduce Hillary Clinton at a NYC fundraiser. He took a turn on a
New York television station and took a few shots at former New York
Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Vilsack mentioned Giuliani's "multiple
marriages" and references Giuliani's strained relationships with his
children in the interview... Vilsack's statements would no doubt be
classified as "negative" by the Giuliani campaign, if the Giuliani
folks were making comments on this episode (which they're not).
Adding more context to this flap is Vilsack's tirade against Barack
Obama in July during the whole squabble over whether Obama and/or
Clinton would or would not talk to dictators if either is elected
president. "It's not the Iowa way," Vilsack said, accusing Obama of
engaging in "negative politics" in his verbal tussle with Clinton.

Labels: Hillary_Clinton, Rudy_Giuliani, Tom_Vilsack

Tom Vilsack, who has been a very strong opponent of the bill for
years, wrote this great post about NCLB... 'As Congress resumes its work
after the August recess the nation's attention will be drawn to the
civil war in Iraq and who the next Attorney General ought to be.
However, perhaps the most important work for the long term good of the
nation may well be the debate over the reauthorization of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Efforts will be made to
improve on the effort of the Congress and the Bush administration when
5 years ago the Act was reauthorized under the banner of "No Child
Left Behind". Unfortunately, the last effort left not just our
children behind but our values as well. What is the purpose of public
education? Simple - every child should have what they need to realize
their talents and to contribute in a meaningful way to their community
and nation.'

Labels: education, Tom_Vilsack

... Vilsack talked a good game when he was running for president. I liked what he said about a lot of issues, including Iraq. The joke in my circle of friends was that Vilsack was sounding a lot better as a presidential candidate than he had as governor. I settled on Edwards as a candidate, but a few progressives I know, including my husband, were considering Vilsack. ... If his friendship with the Clintons and ambition for the VP slot or a cabinet post are that important, then he shouldn't have wasted other people's time and money on his presidential bid. Everyone has known for a long time that Hillary was running for president. Vilsack just wasn't serious about taking her on, and it makes all of his presidential campaign rhetoric--especially on Iraq--look empty. Reminds me of why I voted for Mark McCormick in the 1998 gubernatorial primary.

Labels: Tom_Vilsack

The inevitable finally happened when Democratic Leadership Corporation Diva, Hillary Just Hillary, acquired former DLC Chair Tom Vilsack. Even though Vilsack, Inc. went into the red after its failed presidential bid, Hillary, Inc. went ahead with the merger, promising to help Vilsack pay off his $400,000 campaign debt. Wow, that's some dowry, eh? Maybe Vilsack should throw in a couple of goats to sweeten the deal. Although this is a mere pittance when compared to the multi-trillion dollar debt our next President stands to inherit, not including the Iraq War Bush threw in for good measure. King George may want to consider throwing in his two daughters as a peace offering. The world of corporate politics works just the same as the traditional corporate world, meaning there's no such thing as "money for nothin'." So how's Vilsack going to earn his keep?

Labels: Hillary_Clinton, Tom_Vilsack

***He's overstocked with 2007 endorsements, political favors, and back room deals. Campaign staffers? He's got it. Union ties? He's got it. A last name that sounds like a pickle? He's gooooot it!!! Everything has got to go as the 2008s are arriving daily. Tom Vilsack's cRaZy, insanE blowout endorsement sale, where you don't have to be a rock star...just a carpet bagging, corrupt Senator from New York. Come and get it...*** Vilsack endorses Hillary Clinton at the same time the Clinton campaign pays off Vilsack's remaining campaign debt. But don't you for one second believe the two are related. Don't do it! ... Of course you know why it's ridiculous? Because a Vilsack endorsement isn't worth $400K. Maybe $1.25...$1.75 tops...possibly $2.25 if he was a family member in need of a hand out. Now Christie Vilsack's endorsement on the other hand...

Labels: Hillary_Clinton, Tom_Vilsack

After being the first to officially drop out of the '08 presidential campaign, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is planning to put a political curse on Hillary's campaign next Monday. The two notable figureheads of the Democratic Leadership Corporation will co-opt their wonder-DLC powers together in the form of one slightly more notable figurehead of the DLC. The DLC is expected to recognize the cursed occasion by expanding their merchandising and releasing a monolithic bobblehead doll that features both of their likenesses.

Labels: Hillary_Clinton, Tom_Vilsack

Today John Edwards announced that his presidential campaign will aim to be carbon neutral. As the email the campaign sent out explains, "In February, Governor Tom Vilsack announced he would be the first presidential candidate to plan a carbon neutral campaign. Edwards shares his commitment to protecting our environment and reducing our carbon footprint." Edwards is angling to fill the "Vilsack Vacuum," only weeks after Vilsack announced he would drop out of the campaign. He is trying to recruit as many former Vilsack supporters as possible at this point, and this was one of the Vilsack campaign's more novel ideas — although the Vilsack folks seemed to want to use it more for fund raising than anything else.

Labels: John_Edwards, Tom_Vilsack

The ripple effect of "The Blue Scare" has begun in Iowa, and the presidential hopefuls are naming names. First Vilsack named names, and now that's he's dropped out of the race, John Edwards is naming the names of those previously named by Vilsack. Naming names is catching on and the Blue Menace is lurking behind every political corner in Iowa (or five if you buy into Jim Nussle's conspiratorial fifth corner theory), waiting to pounce upon unsuspecting Democrat caucus goers. ... before you sign anything and commit your support to a presidential candidate, keep in mind that you may be "outed" in the future if your candidate decides to name names. Although, should you waver on your support and/or cross over to the dark side, you may be subpoenaed by the Iowa Democratic Party on Un-Democratic Activities:

Labels: John_Edwards, Tom_Vilsack

After a pretty reasonable blog post on Vilsack's exit from the race, Yepsen's column today on the same subject is back to his classic form. ... "Why didn't he take off? ... It's the first election since 9/11 in which the country must select a new president, and Americans seem to be be looking for a president with experience in national security or on a broader world stage - not a state capitol." ... So Republican frontrunner Rudy Giuliani has a lot of national security experience? Other than standing on some rubble on 9/11, the guy has no more (and probably much less) experience than any Governor. And Yepsen can dismiss Mitt Romney, but most Republicans consider him to be a serious contender. While Bill Richardson is not in the top tier of Presidential candidates (yet), it's not like the combined fourteen years total of the three frontrunners shows some dominant foreign policy experience.

Labels: Bill_Richardson, Mitt_Romney, Rudy_Giuliani, Tom_Vilsack

Having served his none-too-subtle role in the grand scheme of the 2OO8 presidential competition -- keeping as many Iowa Democrats as possible "locked up" until New York Senator Hillary Clinton got her campaign up and running in the first caucus state -- former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack today announced his exit from the race for the Democratic nomination. ... From the start, Vilsack's job was to present himself as a respectable alternative to the other Democratic candidates who, while he would go nowhere in states other than Iowa, could remain in the running with his fellow Hawkeyes until it was time to get out of Clinton's way. Even that modest task proved difficult. Iowa Democrats never took Vilsack's candidacy all that seriously.

Labels: Hillary_Clinton, Tom_Vilsack

I guess there are some rumors that Harkin might not be running for re-election in 2008. Vilsack's departure from the Presidential race today would put him in prime position to run for Senate. ... I would much rather have Tom Vilsack as a Senator than as President. I would much rather have Tom Harkin as my Senator than Tom Vilsack though. If Harkin does retire, Vilsack would be hard to beat and it is important Democrats keep the seat. If Harkin does run, Grassley is up for re-eclection in 2010. I have heard rumors that Grassley might not run again. If Vilsack ran, Democrats would have a great chance at holding both Iowa Senate seats.

Labels: Charles Grassley, Tom_Harkin, Tom_Vilsack

Labels: Tom_Vilsack

At 8:35 p.m. Iowa time -- just after The Tonight Show taping concluded -- former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack held a telephone news conference to discuss his appearance on the show that airs this evening. "I had an interesting opportunity to be on The Tonight Show tonight. The show actually starts with a skit that Jay and I did, so the actual beginning of The Tonight Show involves Jay Leno and a fellow who was dressed up as a security guard doing a little skit which I think people will find pretty funny and after that, Jay interviewed Jim Carrey for a while and then I was asked to come on after Jim Carrey," Vilsack said at the beginning of the call.

Labels: Tom_Vilsack

... No wonder they weren't on that Vilsack list yesterday... that's a big zing to the former guv: the two longest serving statewide elected officials, so popular they ran unopposed last year. ... Tangent: As an Iowan I hate to say it, but some of the second-tier folks would be best advised to adopt a Screw Iowa strategy rather than try to break through the Three Rock Stars and the Home Town Boy. ... At this point it should be noted that the Screw Iowa Strategy (Gore 88, McCain 00) has never worked.

Labels: Barack_Obama, Tom_Vilsack

Tom Vilsack yesterday annouced the names of 1,159 caucusgoers who will definitely support him in the 2008 caucuses. However, his support is not very broad. Over 13% of those supporters were from Mt. Pleasant, Vilsack's hometown (whereas the ratio of Mt. Pleasant residents to all Iowans is 0.3%). The list also includes the wives of Vilsack's Iowa Field Director, Jesse Harris and his Iowa State Director, Dusky Terry. ... If you serve as Governor of your state for eight years, there should be at least 1,100 people in your state who will automatically support you for President. ... Releasing this list is a nice way to hide ugly poll numbers but the ugly poll numbers will keep on coming out and the lists of new supporters by the hundreds won't.

Labels: Tom_Vilsack