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Vilsack Joins Field Of One

November 9, 2006 10:05 AM | | Comments (3) |

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Gov. Tom Vilsack's team delivered his formal presidential campaign declaration to the FEC this a.m. He will headquarter his campaign in Des Moines. For eight weeks, Vilsack's small circle of advisers worked to put the logistics in place for a presidential run. They registered the TomVilsack2008.com domain name and obtained a local telephone number ending in 2008. Major staff include:

  • Craig Varoga, National Campaign Manager
  • Shari Yost-Gold, National Finance Advisor
  • Michael Hayden, National Finance Director
  • Cheryl Parker Rose, Senior Policy Advisor
  • Jeff Link, Senior Communications Strategist
  • Alice Parker, Director of Scheduling
  • Dusky Terry, Iowa State Director
  • Roy Behr, Behr Communications will serve as media consultant
  • Teresa Vilmain, Advisor (statement)

    • Several old Vilsack hands chose not to join his presidential campaign. They include David Axelrod, his long-time media consultant. Axelrod is a senior adviser to Sen. Barack Obama. Also: pollster Paul Harstad, who also includes Obama as a client. Vilsack adviser Jeff Link: "The governor has talked to Axelrod and Harstad, and they are interested in what he's doing, but he decided to go with Roy [Behr] and a new pollster." Campaign manager Craig Varoga managed several independent expenditures for the Democratic Governors Assoc in '06 and was brought in by the DNC to advise the IA coordinated campaign in '04. Varoga was nat'l field director for ret. Gen. Wes Clark in '04 and res. dir. of the '96 Clinton-Gore re-election campaign. B.J. Thornberry, who ran Vilsack's PAC, will serve as an informal adviser to the campaign (Hotline reporting, 11/9)

    Vilsack's presidential committee starts from scratch. Link said that several major Democratic donors would start to raise money for Vilsack beginning today. A major fundraising event called the "Gala Celebration of American Community" is planned for Des Moines on 12/2.

    The full Vilsack statement: "Americans sent a clear message on Tuesday. They want leaders who will take this country in a new direction. 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." More Vilsack: "I couldn't be more honored that my wife, Christie, and our sons, Doug and Jess, are committed to joining my effort to offer the people of America and the Democratic Party my vision for the future of our country as a candidate for President. Over the next several weeks, they and the rest of my team will put together the building blocks needed to run a successful national presidential campaign. I invite all Americans to join with us in working for America's future."

    On 11/30, Vilsack licks off a tour through NH, PA, NV and SC. Vilsack was born in Pittsburgh and began his career in Mt. Pleasant.

    Squibs:

  • A CNN/Opinion Research poll shows John McCain leading Hillary Clinton 48%-47% in a WH '08 matchup. McCain also leads Barack Obama 49%-40%, while HRC ties Rudy Giuliani 47%-47% (release).

  • Meanwhile, HRC "repeatedly refused to answer questions" about '08 (New York Daily News). And MA Gov. Mitt Romney (R) released a statement saying: "I'm keeping my eyes on the horizon" (release).

    • 3 Comments

    Isn't Joe Biden running?

    Ian Fisk | November 9, 2006 2:00 PM

    Vilsack's official website is www.tomvilsack08.com

    Howie | November 9, 2006 2:10 PM

    Vilsack forfeited any chance of EVER getting my vote when he vetoed limitations on eminent domain.

    John | November 9, 2006 3:19 PM