Moving the goal posts?

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/14/517035.aspx


Moving the goal posts?
From NBC’s Andy Merten


Are the Clintons highlighting Hillary’s challenges in Iowa in order to brace against the possibility of a second- or even third-place finish there? Today in Johnston, Iowa, at a rare press conference, in which the candidate took questions, Clinton spoke about some of the difficulties she has had in the Hawkeye state.

“I always knew it would be hard,” she said. “There’s no surprise about that. I don’t live in a neighboring state; I haven’t been here for years.” Obama is the senator from neighboring Illinois. Edwards has been a steady presence, campaigning in Iowa since his 2004 run.

She also went on to say her experience in Iowa is lacking, due to her husband’s decision to never campaign there, while going up against Tom Harkin in 1991 and 1992. Compare this with the former president’s remarks in New Jersey earlier this week.

“Of all the states in the country, Iowa’s the most challenging one for her to start,” Bill Clinton told an audience at a campaign event in New Brunswick, N.J., Wednesday night. He went on to draw the same comparison to her two chief opponents, saying, “Senator Edwards has worked hard there for seven years; he did very well there four years ago,” and continuing, “Senator Obama is from a neighboring state, has had television exposure there for three years, and there are thousands of Illinois students who go to school there, and they may caucus for the first time.”

consistently and defend his decisions on terrorism and Iraq war.

THAT is the real problem you face in Iowa, Bill - people watched you both supporting Bush TOO MUCH the last 7 years.

You think people wouldn't notice your headlines made FOR Bush in summer/2004 book tour?
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/19/clinton.iraq/

Or find out what the Carvilles were doing on election night?
http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/oct/07/did_carville_tip_bush_off_to_kerry_strategy_woodward


Or think about how Hillary supports other Democrats targeted by Bush?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1k0nUWEQg

:eyes:

BTW moving the goalposts would be if the Clinton campaign had previously declared Iowa to be central to their campaign strategy.

The real story is he's losing it.

Iowa WAS always going to be difficult for Clinton.
It's the one state in which she never has a commanding lead.

Last spring I thought she had a decent Iowa strategy going when she was concentrating on rural areas for a short while. Somehow that was dropped and I think it was a mistake, because she's since seemed to not "get" the place, which earlier wasn't the impression she was leaving. She was the midwestern girl going home, and it would have been a good theme to nurture in that state, imo.

1. Clinton never said or implied she was a lock for Iowa.
2. Polls have shown a statistical tie for months in Iowa.
3. There was a point months ago when rumors were circulating from the Clinton camp she might skip Iowa.

The only goal posts that have been moved is the media's portrayal of the Iowa campaign.

There has never been any indication of such, and the Clinton campaign certainly hasn't claimed a blowout was likely to occur.

So, if any goal posts are being moved, they are those that were placed by the media themselves.

It's the only spin she has. As for her not being in Iowa or living nearby, she is originally from Illinois. Last I checked, that's NEXT to Iowa.

The excuses why poor little Hillary is doing badly and has had her leads evaporate in all the first states will be revealing of how the Inevitability Card was a foolish game. Political Science will have a new chapter to analyze.

And lowering expectations is the norm.