You can watch Tom Vilsack talk about the speech itself here on his campaign videoblog. And you can read the full text of his remarks here — and I’m sure there will be some kind of video coverage of the speech on the campaign blog soon. The Register already has some video of the speech here.
Anyway, to my thoughts on the speech. In the 20 minute or so speech, it was interrupted by applause and chants at least 13 times, from my count. I think that pretty much says that the introductory location was a good choice with lots of loud and enthusiastic supporters. The message itself a strong and positive one that coincided with the theme of the announcement tour: the American people need a leader with the courage to embrace change and be challenged to do so, and Tom Vilsack is that man.
When comparing the prepared remarks to the actual statements Vilsack made, you can tell he got a bit extemporaneous. But that was a good thing. He put emotion and feeling into his extemporaneous remarks and added accomplishments and details, things that seemed to be lacking in the prepared text. It also proves that he can still pump out a coherent and cohesive message in a stump speech without changing the meaning of it. Being able to act on your toes like that is a sure sign of a strong politician.
Kay Henderson’s piece about the speech at Radio Iowa probably sums up the speech best in a non-partisan way. It was a very telling and emotional speech that connected with the audience and proved just how much change, community, and opportunity will be used as themes in Vilsack’s campaign.
David Yepsen tries to offer up some analysis in his usual pundit style — by reading prepared remarks and not even embarking to Mt. Pleasant to actually attend the announcement. Instead, he sits in his office in Des Moines and writes a blog post saying Vilsack blew the announcement by not talking about Iraq. The truth is, Vilsack didn’t blow anything. He made the announcement speech and tour what it needed to be — an introduction to the voters across the state and this country about who he is and what his message will be. Talking about Iraq is just one position, while an important, but shouldn’t be the focal point of an announcement. And the fact is, this line from Vilsack’s remarks got the loudest applause and ovation of anything besides the declaration of candidacy:
“Together, with the courage to create change let us embrace a new foreign policy that renews friendships, develops alliances and isolates enemies. In Iraq, we must act, take our troops out of harm’s way and allow Iraqis to begin providing their own security.”
To my knowledge, that’s one of the clearest positions that Vilsack has taken on Iraq lately. And while still clearly vague, it does emphasize a role he sees for troop redeployment or withdrawal and a fundamental overhaul of the current ’stay-the-course’ strategy that only furthers and worsens the civil war that is taking place in Iraq. Today was a day about offering answering questions like ‘Who is Tom Vilsack?’ or ‘Why are you running?’ or ‘What is your message?’ not answers to questions like the specifics of your plan for Iraq. David Yepsen knows that, he’s just trying to be a bully and get an answer from Vilsack on the policy. The truth is, looking to any candidate for real specifics is ridiculous right now. But broad themes and suggestions on how they’ll follow through with their ideas, now that’s what folks should be looking for.
Look, it was a good announcement and the crowd in Iowa responded. Now it is up to the response across the country. And that’s what the coming days will show. And if you’re interested, here is Chris Cillizza’s take on the case for Vilsack’s candidacy.
