And so it begins. I can't say that I'm very familiar with Vilsack, but I have heard some very positive things from people I respect. Certainly, historically, Democratic governors have had more luck in Presidential races than senators do.

AHN:

Iowa State Governor Tom Vilsack on Thursday launched his "long shot" campaign for the presidency in 2008. Visack, the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa since 1968, also became the opening Democrat to declare for the 2008 race.

Speaking in Mount Pleasant, the southeast Iowa town, Vilsack jabbed at the leadership of President Bush, accusing him of exploiting Americans' fears for partisan gain and robbing the country of its "can-do spirit."

"Our country needs bold leadership guided by the right values and the right experience. That is why I am here today," Vilsack, a two-term governor said in a statement.

The Democrat assured to restore America's sense of community and optimism and to "replace the anxiety of today with the hope of tomorrow."

With a dozen other Democrats, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, still considering joining the race in the next few months, the move gives Vilsack an early start on fundraising.

He raised more than $6 million for his 2002 re-election bid, but that is just a fraction of the estimated $20 million which political experts say presidential candidates will need to have in hand by June 2007.