From Wikipedia, the memory of the internet generation:
Thomas James Vilsack (born December 13, 1950) is an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party, and served as the 40th Governor of the state of Iowa. He was first elected in 1998 and re-elected to a second four-year term in 2002. On November 30, 2006, he formally launched his candidacy for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in the 2008 election.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tom Vilsack was orphaned at birth and placed in a Roman Catholic orphanage.
While at Hamilton College he joined The Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
Oops I joined the wrong frat.
He received a J.D. in 1975 from Albany Law School.
Tom Vilsack was elected mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa in 1987, following the murder of mayor Ed King by a disgruntled citizen.
That one is just strange.
He helped pass a law for workers to receive health coverage when changing jobs, and helped re-design Iowa’s Workforce Development Department. He also wrote a bill to have the State of Iowa assume a 50% share of local county mental health costs.
Health care. A good Democratic base. Good early move.
When going governor:
Vilsack narrowly won the general election — making it the first time in 30 years that a Democrat was elected Governor of Iowa.
In July 2005, Vilsack signed an executive order allowing all felons who had served their sentences to vote again.
legislative session, Vilsack signed into law greater restrictions that require products containing the active ingredient pseudoephedrine to be sold behind pharmacy counters, as opposed to open-access at open-shelf level. Those wishing to buy such products must show identification and sign a log book. The new law, designed to reduce methamphetamine use in Iowa, took effect on May 21, 2005.
This is good news for the Pacific Northwest.
Vilsack’s stance on the war in Iraq is politically moderate, both critical of President Bush but hesitant for immediate and complete pullout: “I don’t think we’re losing in Iraq, It appears to be a draw. People are upset by the fact that their kids are over there and there doesn’t seem to be any end to this whole process. It’s not pacifism that makes people think this way. They’re questioning the credibility and competence of the Commander-in-Chief.”[4]
On December 5th, Vilsack announced that he favored withdrawing most of the U.S. forces from Iraq and leaving a small force in the Northern region for a limited period.
On December 18th, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Vilsack said “We have created a culture of dependency in Iraq; we would do them and us a service by severing that link and letting them take control of their country.”[6]
Vilsack’s campaign is making significant use of social media by maintaining an active MySpace profile, a collection of viral video clips on YouTube, a Facebook profile and a videoblog on blip.tv.
I’m an orphan. You can’t give up. You cant. Maybe, because I live on Main Street.
And Tom… please don’t ever say “I’m comfortable being an underdog” like that again.
He’s kinda like a dad. He wants to work with us hip internet types. I can’t find his contact info anywhere. He should have a screen name, not a standard web application form.
Aha! On the facebook profile, an email: 
Some flicker highlights!
I go to meetings!
And talk real straight!
nterests:
Running Half and Full Marathons, Pittsburgh Steelers & Pirates, Cooking, Reading History – Political and Presidential, BBQ ‘s with my family, Hunting, Movies
Favorite TV Shows:
ESPN Sports Center, Boston Legal, Family Guy, CSI Miami
Favorite Movies:
Silverado, Magnificent Seven, Godfather Parts I & II, One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, The Titans
Even Vilsack hates Godfather III!
Well… now we know a bit more about him. Stay tuned.