COLUMBIA ? Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack made his first trip Friday to South Carolina as he lays the groundwork with state Democrats for a potential 2008 White House bid.

Speaking at the annual state Democratic Party fundraiser, Vilsack criticized Republican Gov. Mark Sanford's lack of leadership and the "incompetent" Bush administration. He said South Carolina needs an "education governor" and a "jobs governor." To get that, "you need a new governor in this state," the Democrat said.

But he also acknowledged the importance of visiting South Carolina, which is expected to hold one of the first Democratic primaries in 2008.

Five other 2008 Democratic hopefuls already have visited the state, some multiple times.

At the fundraiser, supporters of Mark Warner launched a grass-roots campaign to draft the former Virginia governor for president, and U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., will make his fourth trip to the state on Monday.

"I've got a lot of work to do to get folks to know me and get comfortable with me," Vilsack said.

Still, his presence provided state Democratic leaders ample opportunities to compare the admired Midwest governor to Sanford.

"Tom Vilsack came up with a plan to create jobs," said Joe Erwin, state party chairman. "While South Carolina is near the top in unemployment, Iowa's unemployment rate is well below the national average."

State Republican officials countered by labeling Vilsack as "High Tax Tom" after he proposed raising taxes in Iowa.

Vilsack defended his record in an interview, saying, "We've had tax relief every year I've been governor, and we've never raised taxes."

He also encouraged the state's Democratic gubernatorial candidates as they challenge an incumbent with a $5 million campaign war chest. Vilsack, Iowa's first Democratic chief executive in 30 years, pointed to his political rise for inspiration.

"If you were to ask someone in the state of South Carolina, 'How has Gov. Mark Sanford made your lives better?' they might have a hard time answering that question," Vilsack said. "If (voters) can't answer that, then you can beat the guy."