Excerpts of Tom Vilsack's Speech to the DNC Winter Meeting, As Prepared for Delivery, February 3, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC -- In his speech to the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting, Democratic candidate for President Tom Vilsack (D-IA) called on the United States Congress to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to stop funding Bush's failed policy in Iraq and get American troops out of harm's way.
Vilsack also distinguished himself from the rest of the Democratic field of presidential contenders by highlighting his successful leadership on priorities where Washington has failed and his success in transforming his home state of Iowa from a red state to a blue state with a Democratic governor and a Democratic majority in both legislatures.
Vilsack's strong record of effective leadership and political success make him the strong general election candidate in the Democratic field.
Also, during their winter meeting today, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) passed a resolution that calls for quick de-escalation of the war in Iraq. The DNC adopted the language of Democratic candidate for President Tom Vilsack's resolution on the issue.
Vilsack's personal background and outsider status:
"Vilsack is the name of my adoptive parents. I've never known the name of my birth mother or father. I was born in Pittsburgh, but I don't really know much more than that. You see, a few moments after I was born, my birth mother handed me over to nuns in an orphanage. Other people might talk about 'No Child Left Behind,' but I was that child left behind."
Vilsack's successful record on priorities where Washington, DC has failed:
"Disclosing earmarks and passing toothless budget resolutions isn't real change; it's staying the course. Taking the tough steps needed to actually balance the budget is real change. That's what Bill Clinton did. And that's what we did in Iowa - for eight years in a row, including during the Bush recession. And I'm the only candidate who can say that."
"Paying lip service to the need for renewable fuels isn't real change. unless you're a lifelong apologist for the oil industry. Providing the incentives, leadership, and backbone to actually build production plants when most people say it can't be done. that's real change. But that's what we did in Iowa, and as a result, not only are we're number one in ethanol production, which may not seem like a surprise, but we're also number one in biodiesel production and number three in wind energy. And I'm the only candidate who has done that."
"Giving people tax deductions to purchase health insurance isn't real change; it's the status quo. Guaranteeing every American access to quality, affordable health care. and creating a system whose primary goal is the prevention of illness and disease. is real change. That's what we did in Iowa when we were one of only two states to reduce the number of uninsured. And that's what we'll do in America."
Vilsack's Call for Congress to End Funding for Bush Failure in Iraq:
"And let's be honest, capping the number of American troops in Iraq is not real change; it's staying the course. Removing them from harm's way, and insisting that Iraqis take responsibility for their own future, that's real change. And that's what I will do as President."
"But we don't have time to wait. And there is no excuse for political calculation by this President - or by this Congress. American troops are dying at the rate of 1,000 a year."
"The military leadership, the Iraq Study Group, the American people: all of them have said the status quo is wrong. This President refuses to listen. So the question is: what will Congress do?"
"Congress has the constitutional responsibility and a moral duty to cut off funding for the status quo. Not a cap -- an end. Not eventually -- immediately."
"And when this Administration falsely claims - and we know they will - that cutting funding will hurt the troops, our answer is simple: President Bush, you will bear sole responsibility. Congress, hearing the will of the American people, is telling you to change course in Iraq and bring the troops home. Mr. President, our troops will only be in danger if you refuse to act."
Record of changing Iowa from "red to blue":
"You know, people talk a lot about red states and blue states. But what really matters is how we change red states to blue states. When I was elected in 1998, I became the first Democratic Governor of Iowa in 30 years. In 2002, I became the first Democratic Governor to be reelected in 38 years, and in 2006, we won the Iowa House, Senate, and Governorship for the first time in 42 years."
"I know how to change red to blue. I've done it, and I'm the only candidate who can say that. It all comes back to the courage to create change.. We turned Iowa from red to blue because we had courage -- the courage to create change.
