Essential Estrogen

Very quickly, because even I'm growing tired of the Clinton-Vilsack speculation... There's an article at the New York Sun stating that not only will the Vilsack's be endorsing Clinton, but will take on key roles within the campaign.

Sources said Mr. Vilsack will be named a national chairman of the campaign in Des Moines today, while his wife, Christie, will be named co-chairwoman of the Iowa operation.

The article also quotes former IDP Chair Gordon Fischer about the strength of both Vilsack's endorsement and his ground operation in our state. While Gordon is a terrific person and overall good man, he's far from an unbiased bystander when it comes to Tom Vilsack. Lest we forget, Gordon stated his prediction about the Vilsack campaign from the very beginning:

...As I said, I'll be blogging much more about this, obviously, but for now, I'm predicting it flat out: President Vilsack.

While most activists in Iowa understand and appreciate Gordon's position, it is worrisome when he is picked up by the national press and slapped with only his 'former chair' label. As of late, and especially when discussing Vilsack, Gordon has been more of a stalking horse than a state ambassador.

One other issue with the article: "The Vilsack endorsement could deliver the biggest blow to Senator Obama, because Senator Edwards already has a strong Iowa infrastructure from his run in 2004. It could also prompt some of Mr. Vilsack's Iowa staffers to defect to Mrs. Clinton."

Those Vilsack staffers who haven't already found a home with another campaign are probably jobless for a reason. This is Iowa! Last week my dog received a lucrative offer from one of the hopefuls. The cat is debating between local or national races.

As for dealing blows to other campaigns, it is doubtful -- at least from our perspective -- if Sen. Barack Obama will be touched by the endorsement. Currently, he seems to be utilizing his 'rockstar' image to full advantage in Iowa, tapping potential pools of previously non-active caucus-goers. While his campaign won't be purposefully pushing anyone away, some long-time Iowa activists have expressed they feel overlooked and/or ignored while the Obama folks court the newcomers.

The article is on the money about Sen. John Edwards. As we previously reported his staff went quickly to work, pulling Vilsack supporters into their own camp.

There are good quotes and insights toward the end of the article from Drake professor Arthur Sanders.

One thing is for certain, Iowans have seen Vilsack come from the bottom to win more than one political contest. It's difficult to ever completely rule him -- or his influence -- out.