3 Iowans on Politico List

Hawkeye State Strength: Iowa is a pretty small state, the 31st largest in the country, with around 3 million people. But it shows its strength in a new Politico list of the "50 politicos to watch". Three Iowans made the list:

Former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack--It won't be easy to upset Republican Congressman Steve King in the state's newly configured 4th district. But Vilsack should be able to give King a better run for his money than previous candidates. And maybe he'll even have to debate her unlike most of his previous challengers?

Bruce Rastetter--He gave a bunch of money to help put Terry Branstad back in the governor's mansion. And the new governor gave Rastetter a spot on the Board of Regents. Rastetter is also part of the small group of Iowans who flew to New Jersey to try to talk Governor Chris Christie into running for president.

Scott Bailey--He may not be a household name outside of political circles. But Bailey is known within the home school community, where he serves as the president of the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators. Mike Huckabee showed how valuable tapping into Bailey's network can be when he surprised many people with his win in the 2008 Iowa Republican Caucuses.

Christie Vilsack for Congress

Congressman Christie: Last year, I talked with former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack about her interest in running for the U.S. Senate to take on Republican Chuck Grassley. She said she was qualified and did nothing to knock down the talk that she might do it. Two weeks later, she said she wouldn't. And Democrats (many of them) united around Des Moines attorney Roxanne Conlin as the candidate. The Vilsack-Conlin battle would have made for quite a primary, wouldn't it?

Jonathan Martin of the Politico just put out a story that he talked with Vilsack about running. His take is that she has interest in running for Congress in 2012. By that time, Iowa leaders will have redistricted the state and it's likely the state will lose 1 of its 5 current seats in Congress. Iowans need to start having more babies (I'm doing my part any day now:). Martin doesn't get into this in his piece, but Vilsack, I assume, would run in a Des Moines district. Running back home in Mt. Pleasant could put her up against the incumbent Democrat Dave Loebsack, unless he gets knocked off this November. But in Des Moines' 3rd district (if that is what it still is), she could step in and replace 7-term Congressman Leonard Boswell, who by that point would be 78. That's providing he doesn't get knocked off this November. Vilsack would definitely bring in a big name to the race. It would be especially interesting if her husband, Tom, would still be U.S. Secretary of Agriculture at that point.

But she hasn't run for anything before. Would that matter to you?