2008

Via Political Wire:

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) met Friday in Washington, D.C., with his national political advisors to “talk about strategy for the year that could position him to formally explore a presidential campaign next year,” according to the Des Moines Register. Among the key challenges Vilsack will in 2006 is ensuring that a Democrat succeeds in the governor’s mansion.

"Vilsack last year formed a political action committee to raise money for his national political work and was named chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, a centrist policy group that was once led by then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton."

And:

If anyone questioned whether New York Gov. George Pataki (R) "is exploring a White House bid in 2008, those doubts evaporated last week when he delivered a State of the State address littered with the hallmarks of a national platform," Newsday reports.

Of particular note: "Pataki urged the state to embrace production of ethanol, an alternative fuel that is produced from farm crops, because of what he said was the nation's need to reduce its dependence on foreign oils. Expanded ethanol use appeals to voters in corn-rich Iowa, an early presidential primary state."

I think it’s safe to say both of these gentlemen are wasting their time and energy. Neither of them are particularly inspiring candidates.

I also feel rather confident going on record with the prediction that we will never have a president by the name of “Vilsack” or “Pataki.” Vilsack sounds like a disease of the male genitalia, and Pataki sounds something that can only be ordered in restaurants found in The Big City, perhaps a vindaloo or a sashimi.

Don’t get me wrong—if a candidate I liked was named Warty McFlappycock, I’d proudly cast my vote for Mr. or Ms. McFlappycock. But most Americans don’t seem to like names that they couldn’t imagine having been on the Mayflower’s manifest.