Iowa Dems declare neutrality in caucuses

[cal04]

Iowa Democrats declared on Saturday the party would remain neutral in the state's leadoff presidential caucuses in 2008 even though popular Gov. Tom Vilsack is seeking the nomination.

"We like fair and contested elections," said the state party's new chairman, Scott Brennan. "There are a lot of folks out there who have supported a lot of candidates over time."

Vilsack, who is leaving office after two terms, made official his candidacy last week, putting many top Iowa Democrats on the spot. They relish the attention the state gets by its first-in-the-nation status in the election calendar. Yet they worry that Vilsack's presence in the race could persuade potential rivals to skip Iowa, rendering the caucuses meaningless.

Brennan, a Des Moines lawyer picked for the Democratic post on Saturday, sought to ease those concerns, pushing the party's governing board to adopt a resolution declaring neutrality.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061202/ap_on_el_pr/iowa_democrats2008