FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Remember when all we heard from Hillary Clinton was, "When I am the president… when I am elected president… etc.? Funny how things change. Don't hear that from her so much anymore. These days it's more like, "If I am the nominee…"
Ever since Hillary Clinton was asked if she favored giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens, she's been struggling.
And it couldn't be more obvious to anyone who is paying attention. Quick… Get mom and the kid out on the campaign trail. Try to convince the voters I'm all warm and fuzzy instead of the cold calculating political machine many of them think I am.
Is it working? We'll know if it's working in Iowa in a few hours. But going into tonight's caucuses, Hillary is nowhere near the juggernaut and presumed nominee she once was. In fact, one major national poll now suggests Clinton could finish third in the Hawkeye state behind Barack Obama and John Edwards.
Granted losing Iowa isn't like losing California, but consider this. Momentum's a funny thing. Have it and you can do no wrong. Lose it and you can lose everything. Hillary still has the lead in some New Hampshire polls, but Barack Obama is now leading in others. New Hampshire votes next Tuesday. That's where that momentum thing comes in. And what if she doesn't just lose in Iowa. What if she finishes worse than second, behind both Obama and Edwards?
Here’s my question to you: What would a third place finish in Iowa mean for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jon writes:
If Hillary Clinton comes in third place in Iowa, she is finished. You may put a fork in her because her goose would be cooked. She has brought this upon herself though. She’s the one that used the strategy of running as the presumptive nominee with an aura of inevitability. This strategy has made her expectations so high that if she comes in third it will be considered a very major loss.
Joshua writes:
Well, as you stated, Clinton has already begun to lose the air of invincibility in this campaign. A 3rd place finish in Iowa, coupled with her frigid demeanor at times, and she will mostly likely be in hot water. She plays "old school" politics regardless of how much she talks about not being included in the "boys’ club", and simply put Iowa is integral in that system.
Carlos from Phoenix, Arizona writes:
Hillary lives to fight another day. A loss in Iowa does not represent the end; it's the beginning of several contests where she can continue to prove that she's ready on Day One.
Annelis writes:
A third place finish for Hillary tonight will mean the voters of Iowa (much like those in the rest of the country) were able to see through the Clinton machine’s rhetoric and games and resoundingly said “NOT AGAIN.”
Nate writes:
A third place finish is not a death blow to the Hillary campaign, but the nations eyes will soon turn to the N.H. primary. Should Hillary place behind Obama in New Hampshire after a third place finish in Iowa, she will probably not be able to recover.
Terry from Chandler, Arizona writes:
What would a third place finish mean? Well, Jack, for one thing it will mean that those close to her had best be quite careful about what they say. I'm betting Hill has a bit of a temper. Husband Bill be on the receiving end of a tirade.