It wasn't so long ago that Tom Vilsack hoped to head to the nation's capital as America's 44th president. Those dreams came to an abrupt end when his short-lived presidential campaign came face to face with the reality that it costs an enormous amount of money to run for the nation's top office. A second obstacle Vilsack could not overcome was that almost nobody viewed him as having the qualifications or personal stature needed by a would-be occupant of the White House.

It turns out, however, that Iowa's former governor will more than likely spend the next few years in Washington at the head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. President-elect Obama has announced plans to nominate Vilsack to be the next secretary of agriculture.

It's probably good news that an Iowan has been selected to fill this important post. Obviously the decisions made at the USDA have an enormous impact on the Hawkeye State's economy. Clearly, any former Iowa governor would have at least some familiarity with farm life. It doesn't seem obvious from Vilsack's career, however, that his knowledge of agriculture goes much beyond the minimum one would expect from any farm state politician. Being a Des Moines lawyer isn't the ideal preparation for the country's most important agriculture post.

It is true that Vilsack as governor worked hard to promote Iowa products including the rapidly growing renewable fuels industries. The homework behind those efforts should be a useful starting point for leading the USDA. Certainly, having Vilsack at the USDA will make it easier for Iowans to get a friendly hearing at the department. It's not so certain, however, that Vilsack brings to this new assignment the broad-ranging knowledge of agriculture that would be desirable for one occupying this crucial post.

This nomination seems to be primarily a "thank you" to Iowa for its help in giving Obama's presidential drive the boost it needed at a critical time. As an indication of real commitment by soon-to-be president to addressing agricultural issues with creativity and innovative leadership, however, it comes up short.