Tom Vilsack served as Governor of Iowa from 1998 to 2006. He also spent three months as a candidate for the 2008 Presidential nomination before dropping out of the race and becoming national co-chair for Senator Clinton’s campaign. During a recent visit to Harvard, Vilsack shared both some reflections on the campaign and his views on a number of its salient issues.

Harvard Political Review: How do you feel agricultural states like Iowa can help solve the issue of global climate change?

Tom Vilsack: Iowa actually has more manufacturing than agriculture. But I think that it can begin the conversation about renewable fuels, as Iowa produces corn that can be used for corn-based ethanol. I say “begin” because corn won’t be the mainstay fuel for a variety of reasons. There are other needs for corn and there are other efficient ways to produce ethanol. Corn started the conversation, but it’s not the end. Iowa has made possible the effort for renewable fuels by providing 25 percent of the ethanol supply.

Iowa has also begun the process of renewable energy. Both my state and Minnesota have really increased their efforts at harnessing wind energy because of the strong currents in the Midwest. Minnesota and Iowa are now the third and fourth highest wind energy producers in the country.

Iowa made the case that it’s not just about saving the globe, which is of course very important, but also about redefining the American economy with manufacturing. Iowa has already attracted high-paying manufacturing jobs in this new green economy.

HPR: Given Iowa’s position as the first caucus state in the presidential primaries, what were your personal experiences like during the election season?

TV: Gosh, where to start? Iowans take their responsibility very seriously. They’re anxious to meet every candidate face-to-face. It wasn’t good when I was polling third or fourth in Iowa because that makes it difficult to convince people that you’re a viable candidate, so I dropped out and decided to endorse Senator Clinton.

Now, a caucus is a party-building function. Its purpose is to identify people who will be willing to work for the party in the future. In a primary you want everyone to participate; that’s what the Iowa caucus had this year. Many who went to the Democratic caucus were “Democrats for a day.” Had I realized this change, our approach in terms of messaging would have been different.

HPR: One of the key issues in your presidential bid was creating economic opportunities for all Americans. What do you believe the government should do in response to the current economic crisis?

TV: I’d recommend three things. The first is that we have to invest in this new energy economy. When people are no longer able to earn a decent living working with their hands, it limits their choices to either working in a white-collar job that requires advanced degrees or in the service-oriented sector. There’s nothing in between. Manufacturing creates a middle class. These are people who work with their hands; they’re problem solvers.

Secondly, government needs to invest in infrastructure. You allow people to feel proud of what they do. They think, “I’m helping rebuild the economy,” or, “I’m helping build an airport that will allow people to travel.” What they do has meaning and significance.

The third thing is over the long term, a greater emphasis must be placed on education. The government must encourage creativity and innovation in K-12 schools, and make college more affordable and available.

HPR: What would be your response to those who argue that international organizations like the U.N. no longer serve a purpose to the United States?

TV: We’re engaged in a battle with people who want to play by different rules. The core extremists in Al Qaeda say it’s OK to kill civilians and bystanders to advance their cause. They also say it’s OK to commit suicide, which is contrary to Islamic beliefs.

You don’t want this group to grow, so you want to create an approach to discourage it. You need to be in communication with the rest of the world. International treaties send a message of cooperation. We don’t want to send the message that we’re at war with Islam. Instead, we want the message that we’ll help others who will help us. ]]>