Loebsack touts Vilsack for vice president

DES MOINES - Former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack, who once hitched his star to Hillary Clinton's wagon, is being touted as an ideal running mate for the former secretary of state.

Second District U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack thinks Vilsack has the skills that 'would be wonderful in any number of positions,” including as vice president.

'Tom Vilsack has a lot of different skill sets and I think he could bring a lot to the table in any number offices,” Loebsack said during a visit to the Iowa Capitol Monday. 'There are some folks speculating he might be a vice presidential candidate.”

'I hope I'm not getting too far out that he gets upset with me for saying that,” the Iowa City Democrat added.

Vilsack, 64, who served as Iowa governor from 1999 to 2007, and has been President Barack Obama's secretary of agriculture for the past seven years, didn't rule out seeking office when he was asked about his plans on Iowa Public Television's Iowa Press last week.

'You know, you never want to say never but …” Vilsack responded.

Vilsack briefly sought the Democratic nomination in 2008, but dropped out and endorsed Clinton, saying she had 'the best ideas, the most energy, and the values and vision to lead our country.”

His wife, Christie, was named co-chair of the 2008 Clinton campaign in Iowa and he served as national campaign co-chair. The Clinton campaign said it would help retire Vilsack's campaign debt.

Loebsack believes the caucus process will help the Iowa Democratic Party rebuild from its losses in 2014. He's talked to Clinton about the importance of the caucus process 'so that it stays intact and does the job that it's supposed to do, which is to get them all in here and talk about the issues that are important to the Democratic Party and the American people.