Tom Vilsack at DNC Winter Meeting

"Courage to Create Change"

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack spoke this morning at the Democratic National Committee's Winter Meeting. The meeting is considered a crucial step in building momentum for a run for the Democratic Nomination.

Vilsack gave an impassioned speech about the need for America's leaders to replace fear with courage and called for the courage to create change. He said that many of the policies in Washington have been created through fear, but each of us has the capacity to overcome it.

Vilsack made it clear that the American Dream can never be revived by fear.

Like candidates John Edwards and Bill Richardson, Vilsack called on Congress to end the war in Iraq. He said that Congress has the moral obligation to end the war now - not eventually - immediately.

Vilsack said that Congress had the power to fund the war, they must now have the power to end the war. Capping is not the answer, real change will only come about by ending the war and bringing the troops home now.

Vilsack also spoke of the need to protect children, in making sure the no child behind policy actually works. He said that America needs to effect real change on renewable energies, and on universal health insurance.

It was a good speech by Vilsack, in which he recognised that he is an outsider. But he said that outsiders have the great ability to be able to create change.

Head to Tom Vilsack's website to watch the video.