Q+A: Tom Vilsack

By Michael Mishak

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007 | 7:11 a.m.

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack knows he's not one of his party's rock stars.

That's fine by him. Vilsack prefers to be considered "rock solid," a serious Democratic presidential contender with executive experience who can expand the electoral map.

At least that's what he told an audience of a few hundred people Friday in a debate with former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson. The event, moderated by USA Today and sponsored by J.D. Power and Associates, kicked off the start of the presidential primary season in Nevada.

Afterward Vilsack, the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa in 30 years, talked politics with the Sun over coffee and quite a large Danish, which the former governor topped with butter - lots of it.

"I'm helping my local economy, OK," he said. "I ran four marathons last year."

Why are you running for president?

A majority of Americans believe that they're not likely to give their children a better America than the one they received from their parents. I want to change that. I've lived the American dream. I believe I have a responsibility to my children and the children of this country.

What distinguishes you from the rest of the Democratic field?

As a former governor, I'm somebody from the outside who can solve problems. Folks inside Washington are comfortable with the status quo. I've dealt with budgets and made tough choices. As a party, it's all about winning at the end of the day. And I'm the only candidate who's consistently turned a red state blue.

Water is a critical issue in the West. What role should the federal government play in mediating the crisis?

In the Midwest, the issue of water is not quantity, it's quality.

I don't know enough about the relationships between the various states to respond directly, but there needs to be enough flexibility in existing laws to contain and sustain smart growth. The use of the Endangered Species Act and other laws to contain Las Vegas is going to benefit this community in the long run.

Las Vegas is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation. But does our culture, from nearly nude billboards to gambling in grocery stores, have wider implications for the country?

It heightens the responsibility that parents have to educate and prepare their children.

I'm not as concerned about the billboards in Las Vegas as I am about the access to the Internet that enables young people to have the capacity to be exposed to everything and anything. It's about educating people to make the right choices for themselves.

Nevada has hitched its wagon to the gaming industry. Do you support gambling?

Iowa may have more gaming per capita than Nevada. I think it's an issue of choice and responsibility. It's an issue of education, of making sure that government provides adequate support for those who may potentially become addicted.

Relying so heavily on gaming is risky, but if the plane ride that I had last night is any indication, it's clear that there's a demand for Las Vegas. I've never seen an empty seat on a flight to Vegas.

What's your favorite place on the Strip?

I'm not a particularly experienced Las Vegas goer.

You'll be here more often now, right?

One of the most beautiful places I've seen in Nevada is Lake Tahoe. I would gravitate more toward that part of the state.