Des Moines Register, David Yepsen interview: Iowa presents steepest hill for Clinton to scale

[DeepModem Mom]

Yepsen: Iowa presents steepest hill for Clinton to scale
David Yepsen
October 23, 2007

Hillary Clinton was candid about her chances in Iowa during a weekend interview, calling Iowa the "hardest state" she faces in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. "I have no illusions this is the hardest state," she said. "I take nothing for granted." Polls show the New York senator enjoys a comfortable lead nationally and in other states in her bid, but she has only a tiny lead in Iowa, one some argue is within polling margins of error.

Other presidential candidates such as John Edwards and Barack Obama understand that if they don't stop her here, in the leadoff state, they may not get a chance elsewhere. So, they are pouring everything into Iowa in an effort to trip her. "That's a real problem for me," she said. "I know that. That's what they should be doing. They haven't broken through on the national level."...

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She said she has lagged in Iowa because "I have no pre-existing relationship with the state. Bill never campaigned here. I spent weeks in New Hampshire," because Tom Harkin's candidacy in 1992 prompted other Democrats like her husband to bypass Iowa. "John Edwards has been living here for four years and that counts. I respect that, those personal relationships are important. Barack has been here before he announced. I never did," she said. "I started so far behind. Even I was shocked how far behind I was when we first started."

Clinton said there is a lot of interest in her candidacy, as evidenced by the large crowds she attracts. However, she's got to turn those people into caucus-goers and that may prove difficult. Many of those who show up are working women who historically aren't big caucus participants....

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Clinton may have another problem in Iowa. "I was shocked when I learned Iowa and Mississippi have never elected a woman governor, senator or member of Congress. There has got to be something at work here," she said, theorizing it may be the risk-averse nature of a state built around agriculture....

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710230367

[rinsd]

1. Thanks for posting.

I see Clinton may be taking Yepsen's advice to engage the local press more.

[Ninga]

2. Translation: Clinton's have no strings to pull in Iowa.

Without strings to pull, this makes Iowa an even playing field for all candidates.

I do not for one minute think she is "disadvantaged" by any means. She is the most famous Clinton woman in the world. She has tremendous name recognition, and not quite the underdog she portrays in the article.

[bigdarryl]

3. BULLSHIT there lowering expectations in Iowa so if she wins everybody will be surprised

[rinsd]

4. BD....for once I may agree with you.