From The Road
December 16, 2007 2:55 PM

Clinton Kicks off Helicopter Tour With Endorsement

By
Fernando Suarez
Topics
Hillary Clinton
(CBS)
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

After scoring the endorsement of the Des Moines Register last night, Hillary Clinton says her campaign is "energized" and is "picking up momentum." This comes after weeks of blunders and gaffes which led to her decline in various polls after months of the pundrity describing her nomination as inevitable.

Clinton's comments came at the kickoff of her "Every County Counts" helicopter tour in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Sunday. The Senator from New York appeared energized as did the crowd of nearly 400 supporters. Clinton went on to say that she was "especially honored" by the heavily sought-after Register endorsement.

Clinton said "I can feel the excitement growing, and it really spans all ages," a subtle jab at her top Democratic opponent Barack Obama who's gained large support from younger voters. "We are appealing to every generation," said Clinton, "And that's the way it should be."

Clinton also picked up the endorsement of former Nebraska Governor and Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey who said Clinton would "lead with Democratic values." At one point Kerrey asked the crowd "the most important question today is not whether she inspires me, but does she inspire your confidence?" to which the crowd responded "yes!" with thunderous applause.

Clinton thanked Kerrey upon taking the stage and told the crowd that Sen. Kerrey is the "embodiment of patriotism." Kerrey served as a Navy SEAL in Vietnam, his service earned him Medal of Honor.

It's worth noting that Kerrey also ran against Bill Clinton in the 1992 primary and was highly critical of the former president in the past. In a 1996 Esquire magazine interview, Kerrey described President Clinton as "an unusually good liar."

Meantime, Hillary Clinton said she is excited about her 5-day helicopter swing through Iowa, which the campaign is dubbing the "Hill-a-copter."

Clinton said she and her surrogates will blanket Iowa "knocking on doors and making phone calls" noting that the message is simple, but urgent: "The road to the White House for the next president begins here in Iowa."

CBS News National Correspondent Dean Reynolds contributed to this report.

Add a Comment
by igwealth5tm December 16, 2007 10:12 PM EST
Hillary Clinton Campaign is a sinking ship:
The most recent early states and national polls show that Hillary''s campaign, which until her Philly debate fumble was a poll-dominant inevitability, is currently sinking lower every day. And there seem to be that no effort being make to stop the decline was working. Several of the efforts to save Hillary''s campaign that has failed so far include CNN''s rigged debate and after-debate spin; the gender card; Arm-twisting of the NY Gov to help her on immigration; Bill''s daily show in Iowa; Accusation of the opponents; Novak''s scandal rumor; Her current mud-slinging on Obama; Racking up thousand and one endorsements; Endorsement of NH''s Gov''s wife, Dr. Susan Lynch; Aggressively attacking Obama on healthcare; Kindergarten-gate (oh, it was a joke; so is the Clinton campaign also a joke?)

Below are Hillary''s campaign new efforts that will not save it from crashing to the ground:
%u2022 DMR endorsement
%u2022 Maryland%u2019s Governor endorsement
%u2022 Asking her attack dogs to throw dirt on Obama
%u2022 Hill-O-Copter
%u2022 Door Knocking in NH
%u2022 Bill Clinton%u2019s new attack on Obama
%u2022 More endorsement from members of the democratic establishment to endorse her
%u2022 Getting Urban Magic Johnson to campaign in Iowa.
I know one solution that would stop Hillary%u2019s poll slide and restore her chances of winning the nomination, but I%u2019m not willing to give it to her unless%u2026%u2026
Reply to this comment
by tbweb December 16, 2007 9:04 PM EST
The media does a disservice to everyone when they ignore reporting current polls that show Hillary the least electable of all the dem candidates.

In national polls of general election matchups, Hillary does worse than Edwards or Obama.

Why isn''''t anyone reporting that?

Posted by dinslc at 04:11 PM : Dec 16, 2007,,,

What''s else is interesting is that over 40% of Voters say they won''t Vote for Hillary Clinton under any conditions! It seems like even if Hillary Clinton wins the General Election she will govern over a polarized and divisive nation and under those conditions how much will get done? hmmm.
Reply to this comment
by dinslc December 16, 2007 7:11 PM EST
The media does a disservice to everyone when they ignore reporting current polls that show Hillary the least electable of all the dem candidates.

In national polls of general election matchups, Hillary does worse than Edwards or Obama.

Why isn''t anyone reporting that?
Reply to this comment
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