2008 Presidential Campaigns: Tom Vilsack (Democrat)

The outgoing Governor of Iowa has declared his intentions to run for the Democratic Presidential Nominiation.

"Americans sent a clear message on Tuesday. They want leaders who will take this country in a new direction," Vilsack, Iowa's two-term governor, said in a statement. "They want leaders who share their values, understand their needs, and respect their intelligence. That's what I've done as governor of Iowa, and that's what I intend to do as president."

Want to learn more about Vilsack?

Tom Vilsack, on the issues.

Tom Vilsack at wikipedia.com.

Tom Vilsack - The Governor of Iowa.

Tom Vilsack on "The Charlie Rose Show"

Vilsack was the first Democrat elected Governor of Iowa in almost 30 years, and when he ran, he promised the voters he would limit himself to two terms. He honored that request, while working to get his Democratic friend Chet Culver elected to take his spot.

Vilsack was born in Pittsburg, December 30, 1950. Vilsack was orphaned at birth, and adopted in 1951. He received a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York in 1972, and received a law degree from Albany Law School in 1975.

In 1987 he was elected Mayor of Mount Pleasant Iowa following the murder of the previous mayor (by a disgruntled citizen). In 1992 Vilsack ran and was elected to the Iowa Senate where he served until 1998 when he was elected Governor.

Vilsack considers himself a moderate, and is running from a platform similar to that of Former President Bill Clinton. Vilsack heads the Democratic Leadership Council, a centrist group that former President Clinton used to help launch his candidacy.

The Governor will head out Nov 30 on a muti-state tour to spread the word about his candidacy.

It will all come down to Iowa for Vilsack. If he can't win his home state in the first primary of the year, in early 2008, there is no hope for a presidential bid.

Stay Tuned...