page_title: Tom Vilsack 2008 presidential campaign
section_title: Aftermath
hierarchical_section_title: Tom Vilsack 2008 presidential campaign / Aftermath
caption_attribution_description: Tom Vilsack takes the mic to talk about Hillary Clinton during a Jan. 2, 2008 event in Cedar Rapids. See complete caucus coverage: blogs.iowapolitics.com/caucus
context_page_description: The 2008 presidential campaign of Tom Vilsack, former Iowa Governor began on November 30, 2006, the 2nd to officially announce a run. Vilsack had previously been considered as Vice Presidential candidate for Senator John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. He ran for the Democratic Party's 2008 nomination for President of the United States.
  His short-lived campaign was focused on his home state of Iowa but suffered low standing in national polls and a lack of name recognition. During the campaign, he emphasized the War in Iraq and his plan for ending it.
  His run concluded on February 23, 2007, before any debates or primaries, due to funding shortfalls. He endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton after his exit, but shifted to Barack Obama after her withdrawal.
context_section_description: After withdrawing from the race, Vilsack endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton for the presidency on March 25, 2007. He hoped to build momentum for her in Iowa. The former Governor identified Clinton as the candidate with "the best ideas, the most energy, and the values and vision to lead our country." Shortly after the endorsement, Clinton named Vilsack's wife Christie as the co-chairman of her campaign in Iowa. The Clinton campaign announced they would help Vilsack pay off his campaign's $400,000 debt. Vilsack campaigned for Clinton nationwide as national campaign co-chairman, and focused on helping her win the Iowa caucuses. Despite his efforts, Clinton finished third in the caucuses behind Barack Obama and John Edwards Following Clinton's withdrawal, Vilsack endorsed Obama for the presidency on July 15, 2008. He labeled Obama as the "only candidate" for voters "against partisanship" to change "the tone in Washington"
  Vilsack was later nominated by President Obama to serve as the United States Secretary of Agriculture in his administration. He was confirmed for the post by the Senate on Inauguration Day.
caption: Vilsack campaigns for Hillary Clinton in January 2008
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