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Vilsack Dropping Out for One Reason: Money
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ShareFebruary 23, 2007 11:24 AM
ABC News' Mark Halperin Reports: Former Gov. Tom Vilsack, D-Iowa, is ending his presidential bid for one reason: money.
He simply hasn't raised enough of it to pay the bills of the size staff he would need to run a credible campaign. One source said he hadn't even raised $1 million so far this year, and the expenses were growing.
He is not expected, however, to denounce the notion that only the well-funded and rich can run for president. Another however: you are sure to hear a round of hand-wringing about this from some of the other candidates and some pundits.
He told his staff only this morning of his decision. They did not try to talk him out of it. He also started making calls to his supporters this morning.
Other presidential candidates and their staffs have already starting calling senior Vilsack staffers and advisers to draw them in. The early betting is that most of the key ones will go to Clinton and Obama. Vilsack had on board some very key Iowa organizers and party leaders (including Jerry Crawford, John Norris, Theresa Vilmain, Jeff Link, Gordon Fischer, for those of you with scorecards). The sweepstakes for them in the next 72 hours is very key. If Clinton or Obama (or Edwards) can get the lion's share of them, that will be substantively and symbolically key.
Vilsack does not plan to endorse another candidate today, but don't be surprised if he does that in the near future. And of course he might join the veepstakes, as he did in 2004.
You will recall that Vilsack dramatically escalated his call for US troops to get out of Iraq as soon as possible recently, and said at the Nevada forum that the other candidates would be where he is in six months. He is expected to renew his Iraq call today.
His plans now: he has a teaching job and law job already lined up. And, yes, he is likely to go to spring training with his sons.
February 23, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (2)
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Mr. Vilsack may not have addressed the question of well-funded Presidential campaigns in announcing his withdrawal, but it is definitely a question that the nation has to address if people are to be less cynical about politics. At the recent Democratic forum in Nevada, Mr. Kucinich, whose chances of being the nominee are slim, drew a huge roar from the crowd when he said that he was the candidate with "No Strings".
Posted by: Candadai Tirumalai | Feb 24, 2007 9:53:31 AM
tom, you were my man for the canidacy just want to let you know.
Posted by: wayne lindblad | Jun 13, 2007 2:28:39 AM
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