Vilsack Drops Out Of ’08 Race
The ex-Iowa governor says he’s just not able to raise the necessary cash:
Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack said Friday he is pulling out of the 2008 Democratic race for president, citing financial difficulties in a campaign that lasted 15 weeks.
Vilsack, 56, said he would have continued if it weren’t for the large amounts of money he would need for a a campaign.
“The reality, however, is that this process has become to a great extent about money, a lot of money,” he said. “And it is clear to me that we would not be able to continue to raise money in the amounts necessary to sustain, not just a campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire, but a campaign across this country.
“It is money — and only money — the reason we are leaving today.”
Thus, Vilsack becomes a candidate more impressive in his leaving than his coming; I’m favorably struck by the blunt admission of the money difficulties, and by the clearheadedness involved in leaving a hopeless race early…
I don’t know if I agree with that. He implies that “only money” is responsible for his leaving, as if somehow money was some artificial constraint on his electoral chances, and if it were not a problem, he’d be full-steam ahead. It seems to me that money is inevitably tied up with his ability to get votes. He’s not raising enough money because he can’t attract enough voters.
I realize a more generous argument would say he’s a victim of a vicious circle – you can’t raise cash unless people know you, and if people don’t know you, you won’t raise cash. But on the other hand, every presidential race includes these folks who most be doing it purely as a matter of vanity, and in the hopes that a meteor will squash all the other candidates when they’re out of the room. Vilsack never had a chance.
I wonder if “native sons” actually have disadvantage. If Vilsack couldn’t win in Iowa, he’d be doomed. if he did, people would dismiss it as a natural thing. About his only chance would have been to clean up in New Hampshire or Nevada or one of the other early states.
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/giuliani_to_run_for_president_of_9
I like this one better…
You really have to wonder what makes some of these unknowns run for prez. I mean does a guy like Vilsack (or Hagel, Hunter, Pataki, or whomever) honestly look in the mirror and and believe he’s looking at the next president?
Fargus: I love the Onion…that article’s pretty lame though. Way below their normal standards.
“I wonder if “native sons” actually have disadvantage.”
I wonder the same thing. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Vilsak had more support than reflected in the polls, but crafty Iowans gave the name of other candidates to pollsters knowing that the only way to convince Edwards, Clinton, Obama and the others to continue to lavish their little neck of the woods with disproportionate attention and campaign promises would be by making them think that Iowa was winnable. Iowa Democrats seem to like Vilsak and all, but they enjoy playing kingmaker even more.