http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx From NBC's Mark Murray and Elizabeth WilnerNBC News has learned that former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) is dropping out of the presidential race. This announcement, which Vilsack will make outside his campaign headquarters at noon ET, comes as quite aen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#66698Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:39:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66698Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaWay to go Tom. At some point the Zero's are added too fast, and the thousands become millions. Run for Congress. We need some level heads, desperately.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#66712Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:44:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66712M.E., Albany, Ga."This comes down to money" comment. Is there anything on the political Merry-Go-Round that doesn't ultimately come "down to money"?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#66750Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:00:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66750OliviaThat's what's wrong with starting the 2008 campaign right after the 2006 elections are over (if not before). Like Vilsack, candidates will just run out of money right and left, leaving voters with "slim pickin's."http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#66799Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:17:54 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66799Elli M.Politics IS all about the money. The average person doesn't stand a chance.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#66808Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:23:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66808Al, Burlington, KSCould it be that Vilsack just added his name to Bayh, and Warner on the potential VP list?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#66907Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:02:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66907Michael, Ames IowaPlease do not call Iowa a "Red State". Iowa voted for Gore in 2000, has had a democratic governor for 8 years and just elected another, and has democratic majorities in both state houses. There are more registered democrats than republicans. True, GWB defeated Kerry in the last presidential election, but only by a few thousand votes - hardly in itself qualification for "red state" status.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#66956Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:20:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:66956DesmondAny chance he could run against Grassely?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67006Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:31:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67006Dave, MOMaybe it was actually reality that hit Vilsack... From the very beginning he should have known he had two chances............SLIM, and NEXT TO NONE. I can't believe he would actually squander thousands, or even millions with his odds of winning. That money would have been better spent on Powerball tickets. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67007Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:32:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67007M.E., Albany, Ga.Al-The Veep list. With the mudslinging starting so early, I think many potentials are holding back until they see how Iraq plays out on both sides. With the present potential for train wrecks on both sides, I'd be loath to hitch a ride with any of them. To-date, I see no substance behind any of their platforms. Towards the end, it will come down to the cleanest face to come out of the mudslinging. Let's just hope that the Veep is not just another co-dependent as Cheney is, and that it doesn't come down to another decision of "the lesser of two evils".http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67175Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:19:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67175Carrie, NW IowaIowa is traditionally one of the states that falls under the "too close to call" category when it comes to presidential elections. It's almost always up for grabs. It is by no means a red state. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67182Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:21:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67182Waterloo, IowaMichael appears to be partially color blind.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67253Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:45:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67253Russell in MarylandSo why do the people (entities) with money not want to see us disentangled from Iraq?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67322Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:07:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67322Emily KronenbergerVilsack has a dream! Even though he dropped out of the '08 Presidential race, he still has vision and considerable experience. I hope he continues to speak out and work to make the U.S. a better place for us all. Let's hope that the media lets him do it - I feel like they are choosing our candidates for us! http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67367Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:22:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67367Ryan, MichiganMichael & Carrie - I would agree. Iowa is a purple state. Most of the Democrats they elect are "Blue Dog" but they still elect their fair share.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67383Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:27:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67383Michael, Ames IowaI agree with Dave in MO, I had thought Vilsack was truly a smart guy with great intentions and integrity, but this very early and unexpected exit makes me think otherwise. It seems he just enjoyed a several-month whirlwind, all-expense paid tour of America, hobnobbing with celebrities and Hollywood, much of which was conducted while he was still on the payroll of Iowa taxpayers as an absentee Governor. Suspicious and disappointing. Iowa voters should demand a reimbursement for salary paid in his final months of office.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67494Fri, 23 Feb 2007 21:04:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67494DesmondSo Iowa, should he run against Grassely?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67537Fri, 23 Feb 2007 21:25:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67537Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaDesmond. Most definitely. Chuck's been burned out by all the Neocon Philanderings. He'll die there if he doesn't quit pretty soon. An OK guy, is Grassley, but in the twilight of His Party, the Mesocons.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67539Fri, 23 Feb 2007 21:26:06 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67539Carrie, NW IowaMichael - So it would be better for him to continue to throw good money after bad, knowing that he will not be able to get the funding and media attention necessary to have a real shot at winning the nomination? I wish he would have stuck it out longer as well, but he's a smart man and I'm sure he had nothing but the best intentions when he entered the race. Things don't always work out as we hope; that doesn't mean he was swindling taxpayers. And incidentally, I hope you think all Americans should demand a refund of taxes based on how much time Bush spent campaigning for losing Republicans on our dime. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67540Fri, 23 Feb 2007 21:26:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67540Carrie, NW IowaRyan - I'm not familiar with the term "blue dog." What does that mean?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#67823Fri, 23 Feb 2007 23:56:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:67823DesmondSteve Turner, hope that's true, bro.Senator Vilsack, Democrat, Iowa. I would vote for that, if I could.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#68015Sat, 24 Feb 2007 04:07:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:68015M.E., Albany, Ga.Ohhh Ryan- Wish you hadn't said "blue dog". "Me and you and a dog named blue". Have had that line from song in my head since reading your comment, and can't remember what song or who it came from. Hate when that happens. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#69701Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:21:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:69701Mel, IllinoisM.E. -whistle anything by Mozart. It's an old cure for the annoying-song-stuck-in-the-head syndrome.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#69752Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:11:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:69752Dorothy"Don't stop 'till you get enough...."http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/23/66676.aspx#70008Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:21:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:70008tom chastainI just finished reading ralph naders newest best seller "the seventeen traditions" it has so many principles that mr nader grew up with and it really gave me something to think about.I think this book and ralph nader will be a great voice in the 2008 race and a breath of fresh air from the cat fights.