Quid Pro Quo

Who says you can't buy and sell in politics for a handsome profit?

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton won't know until the night of the Iowa caucuses whether the backing of Tom and Christie Vilsack, the state's former governor and first lady, who formally announced today that they were endorsing her, will pay off. But Mr. Vilsack could reap benefits sooner.

Before ending his presidential bid on Feb. 23, Mr. Vilsack had accumulated a debt of about $430,000. The Clinton campaign has agreed to help erase at least some of that debt. A fund-raising appeal on his behalf could be landing in mailboxes of her donors soon.

Aides to Senator Clinton and Mr. Vilsack say there was no quid pro quo.

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