3rd Place Finish For Hillary WOULD Be Disappointing
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, Edwards, Hillary, IowaThe Clinton camp is trying to lower expectations, which is a completely normal tactic, but it rings especially hollow when it comes to Hillary.
As the presidential candidates engage in furious pre-caucus spin, one of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s most prominent Iowa supporters said Wednesday that she’s already accomplished what she needs to in Iowa and can declare success even if she finishes in third place.Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack told ABC News that Clinton has shown that she can appeal to a wide swath of Democrats, which is what she came to Iowa to do.
“She has done what she needed to do here,” Vilsack said shortly before a Clinton campaign event in Indianola. “When she started the process she was way behind — it’s now by all standards a competitive race.”
I’m sorry Governor, but it was always a competitive race. After she announced her candidacy in January 2007, she has shared a virtual 3-way tie with Obama and Edwards.
And you don’t raise over $100 million in one year and have the name recognition Hillary does and think that 3rd place in the first primary is a good thing.
Also, do know that I think if Obama comes in 3rd, it would be an even bigger disappointment. Because that means he’s probably going to lost New Hampshire, and if he does that it’ll be a tough contest to win from there.
UPDATE:
MSNBC agrees that 2nd place is acceptable for either Hillary or Obama, but 3rd is not. And Iowa is a must win for Edwards. No…wait, it’s a must, must, must, must win.
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:49 am
You are right on the money. Hillary had the highest name recognition when the race started. Anything but first is a loss for her.
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Yeah, Hillary not winning Iowa would be like the New England Patriots losing their first playoff game next week.