Iowa Democrat Tom Vilsack was one of the early contenders for the White House. Today, he's the first one out. Vilsack was hit with the reality that the cost to run for President will run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. With the Clinton, Obama and Edwards machines cranking up (and the Gore machine laying in wait?), Vilsack knew he couldn't be competitive. Whether or not he would have been the most qualified candidate I guess we'll never know. Without cash, you can't contend.