What do you think about Gov. Vilsack of Iowa as VP?

[ButterflyBlood]

Some rather dubious sources have said Kerry has narrowed his selection to him and Bill Richardson. Richardson has already said no, so in the unlikely situation this is correct, Vilsack is it by default. Unlikely this is true, but he's certainly not out of consideration.

He's pretty popular and would probably guarantee Iowa, but polls show Kerry should win there easily anyway. He'd probably help in the 1st district of Minnesota (my district) because it's similar to Iowa, but Minnesota also looks like an easy win. I don't know how'd he affect Illinois, but that state's in the bag no matter what. I don't know about Missouri, I just hope it's better than Gephardt did in the Iowa caucus. And South Dakota and Nebraska are safely Republican anyway.

I think he might benefit from having a "prarie populist" type on the ticket. And he doesn't have a voting record to attack, so he has few liabilities.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. Vilsack would bring to light the problems of the midwest's economy.

I would like to see

Kerry/Clark
Kerry/Vilsack
Kerry/Edwards
Kerry/Rendell

[emulatorloo]

2. Don't feel he has done much for Iowa

doubt he will do much for America.

We had high hopes for him when we elected him. He has a tough job, but to me he seems easily thwarted by repugs.

[cornfedyank]

3. corn over $3 beans over $9

the farm prices are good. i do not think the gov is dynamic or recognized. imo I want the smartest, most articulate, most qualified person available. i like Wes Clark. he can use small words and say big things. he appears to be honest. he has spent over 30 years thinking about what is good for this country.

[SheilaT]

4. Shouldn't the VP

be someone more people have actually heard of?

[sasquatch]

5. Why not Max Cleland

I don't like southern politicians all that much because they try to appease to republicans too damned much. But this way you can present a diverse ticket, a yankee and a southerener. Both are medal earning war time veterans and have Purple Hearts for combat wounds. But Vilsack is a good choice too.

[sasquatch]

6. Kick

:kick:

[Citizen Kang]

7. Vilsack is a native of Pennsylvania

He was born in Pittsburgh. He could help in that battleground state. Not to mention he could help in Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and would guarantee Iowa (can Edwards say he will guarantee North Carolina?).

I've met the guy. He is very likable and intelligent. He would make an excellent choice. There are no skeletons in his closet. He has helped Iowa through some tough times and made progress with a Republican legislature so he knows the game. If Kerry picks Vilsack, I will most definately vote for Kerry.