Senator Vilsack?

I guess there are some rumors that Harkin might not be running for re-eclection in 2008. Vilsack's departure from the Presidential race today would put him in prime position to run for Senate.

Harkin is, of course, denying these rumors. From Political Wire...

"With former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack’s decision today to end his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination, an aide to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) shot down speculation that Harkin would not seek re-election and pave the way for Vilsack to run for Senate," Roll Call reports.

Some Democrats believed that Harkin "would ultimately forgo a fifth term, but stall long enough to allow Vilsack to switch gears and take his place in the 2008 Senate race. The theory was that the longer Harkin waited before formally announcing a decision, the less time potential Republican candidates would have to prepare to run for an open seat. Money Vilsack raised for his presidential bid could be transferred to a Senate campaign fund."

I would much rather have Tom Vilsack as a Senator than as President. I would much rather have TomHarkin as my Senator than Tom Vilsack though. If Harkin does retire, Vilsack would be hard to beat and it is important Democrats keep the seat.

If Harkin does run, Grassley is up for re-eclection in 2010. I have heard rumors that Grassley might not run again. If Vilsack ran, Democrats would have a great chance at holding both Iowa Senate seats.