Vilsack Drops Out of 2008 Presidential Race - washingtonpost.com

Vilsack Drops Out of 2008 Presidential Race - washingtonpost.com: "By Dan Balz Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, February 23, 2007; 12:50 PM Former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack, who was the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for president in 2008 but has found it difficult to raise the money needed to compete against his better-known rivals, quit the race today. 'This process has become to a great extent about money -- a lot of money,' he told reporters at a news conference today. 'And it is clear to me that we would not be able to continue to raise money in the amounts necessary to sustain not just a campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire, but a campaign across this country. 'So it is money and only money that is the reason that we are leaving today.' Vilsack's abrupt decision underscored the financial challenges facing lesser-known candidates as they try to compete for contributions against New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and highlighted how the intense start to the 2008 campaign has dramatically escalated the cost of running even in the opening months of competition."