Vilsack leaves race, surprising no one

So, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is out of the race, and it hasn't even started yet. I won't confess to knowing much about him, but that's part of why it's a sad commentary on the state of our political system that we all didn't have a chance to find out more about him.

There's little question that Vilsack bowed out of the race before we even got to learn how to properly announce him name because of money. Unless you have a tremendous money raising machine in place, you're toast before you even get started.

And that's just wrong.

I hope I live to see the day when the wealthiest candidates, or the candidates with the most fundraising prowess, aren't the only people who can mount a viable campaign for the presidency. American can and must be much better than that.

Vilsack's announcement on Friday surprised no one, but again, that's sad - it surprised no one because everyone knew he wasn't going to be able to raise money to be in the race for long.

Photo from AP