I was on my way to Des Moines when I heard. I am at his press conference now. It’s in a 30 by 20 conference room with 7 video cameras and about 25 people here.
I’ve only seen one or two staffers around. If I were them I would already be at the bar.
Matt Paul is here, along with one other person who looks familiar. Lots of the camera people are joking around, which is making me sad. Say what you will about bloggers, but I guarantee the room would be morose right now if it was filled with just them.
His entire field staff just came in. I know five of them. This is even more sad. 🙁
He just came in, and is thanking people. “It is money and only money that is the reason we are leaving [the race] today.”
He mentions iraq as the first issue and his support for ending the war. Energy, education. His speech is really good. He is tearing up a little. I am too. Thanks harkin, mauro, gronstal, kibbie, state senate.
1st question – will you endorse? not thinking about it.
2nd question – yepsen – what changes to campaign finance is needed? we need a debate about it, because it shouldn’t be a money primary.
Part of why he is dropping out now is to let his staff land on their feet.
No regrets about what he’s done. Orphan running for president – “That’s what this country is about.”
Tom Beaumont goes back for the last question to harrass him about endorsements again. I don’t know if I could do news, you have to be such an asshole.
7 Comments
don't be sad for your friends
He is dropping out early enough for them to find good jobs with other campaigns. It would be a lot worse if it were happening six months from now.
I think there is an opening for Richardson now, but I suspect Edwards will also gain a lot.
desmoinesdem Fri 23 Feb 11:05 AM
I agree
Getting out early is good for his campaign staff. I think most reasonable people saw that Vilsack did not have much of a chance, and I wondered what would happen to his big Iowa staff if he waited until the caucuses before dropping out. The IDP especially lost some good staff.
If I was on his staff, I would stay out of the bars and instead I would be talking to other campaigns and the IDP.
tom Fri 23 Feb 11:12 AM
sure
I’m sure they will start talking soon, but if you work for a candidate for even three months (and most of these people have Vilsack ties going back longer than that) then you aren’t going to be ready to support someone else in a day. Contrary to how mercenary they often seem, campaign workers usually passionately support their candidate and take it rough when they lose or bow out.
drew-miller Fri 23 Feb 1:53 PM
True enough
You’re right, but I don’t think this is the time to be sentimental, or too discouraged. Just saying.
tom Fri 23 Feb 2:12 PM
I don't think of them as mercenary
I have known a lot of campaign workers, and while they might be cynical in some ways, I don’t think any of them would have worked for a candidate they didn’t believe would do a good job.
It is disappointing that the money race is so important. Everyone who’s upset about Vilsack having to drop out should go sign up with Public Campaign (www.publiccampaign.org) to advocate for clean elections reform. That would not take money out of politics, but it would help to level the playing field a little.
desmoinesdem Fri 23 Feb 2:20 PM
were talking politics, kidos
If the other campaigns had half brains, they would make the contacts to the field staff first, woo them, and then ask them to dance. the staff may be at the bar, but that’s where they other campaigns can be their most persuasive!
blogforiowa Fri 23 Feb 2:21 PM
haha
Yeah a lot of political shit gets done at bars. =)
drew-miller Fri 23 Feb 2:36 PM