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As Hillary Clinton prepares to announce her vice presidential nominee as early as Friday, CNN notes that one man has emerged as the dark horse candidate: Tom Vilsack.
He's the current United States Secretary of Agriculture, which on the surface won't necessarily grab anyone's attention. But Vilsack was also Iowa's long time popular Governor from 1999 to 2007 and should be able to clinch that important battle ground state for Clinton (at least in theory).
CNN suggests his biggest asset is his loyalty.
"I don't mean to be difficult, but there's a thing called the Hatch Act, and it basically prohibits me from answering that question. I'm here in my official capacity to talk about an issue I care deeply about," he said in response to a question from CNN about where he stands in the VP process. "I've been instructed by the president to focus on this. That's my sole purpose for being in Missouri today."
Vilsack is also a long time ally of both Hillary and former President Bill Clinton.
From CNN:
The Clintons' long-running relationship with Vilsack and their personal fondness of him could prove to be decisive, as Clinton deliberates over a political partner she can trust and work hand-in-hand with for as many as eight years.
His root would also appeal to those far beyond Iowa’s borders, reaching out to what many say is the “forgotten people” in Democratic circles – those living in the rural areas.
As Clinton's running mate, Vilsack is expected to enthusiastically campaign in remote areas of Rust Belt, in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio -- a region of the country that Republican nominee Donald Trump is determined to target in the fall. The big question is how strong his appeal would be to the Obama coalition that Clinton is trying to rev up -- including African-American, Hispanic and young voters.
Vilsack was at 7-1 odds while Clinton had dropped from 1-3 to 1-2 in recent weeks.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
