Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack will deliver a short speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday and he intends to focus on a rural theme.Vilsack’s remarks will be aimed at Midwesterners who may be crucial voters in the fall election. Vilsack says he feels strongly about Gore’s chances after talking with campaign officials.Vilsack will highlight Gore’s support of corn-based ethanol fuel.Vilsack says George Bush’s running-mate, Dick Cheney, will receive 20-million dollars as he leaves his oil company job, and says the Republicans won’t help ethanol. Vilsack says Gore’s weekend jaunt down the Mississippi River is an important signal that Midwestern states like Iowa are important in the race for the White House.If you watched the Democratic National Convention last night, you may have seen Vilsack and his wife, Christie, sitting in the V-I-P section with the Gore family. Yesterday morning, Vilsack went to a high school reunion with a dozen L-A residents who attended his private high school, Shady Side Academy, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.