Clinton Drops In Polls, Loses Support In Iowa, New Hampshire

This story was written by Matt Spialek, The Daily Vidette

The latest ABC/Washington Post poll taken in Iowa reported 30 percent of Iowa caucus-goers favor Barack Obama, 26 percent support Clinton, and 22 percent are for John Edwards.

Although the Clinton campaign has appeared unconcerned by the poll numbers, Tom Ponce, senior history major and communication director for ISU Independent Voters, said Clinton should be alert.

"This could be a minor stumble or just the beginning to a series of losses that could cost Hillary the Democratic nomination," Ponce said.

With all eyes on the first-in-the-nation caucus, Iowa is a state to take seriously.

"If you win Iowa, you will get more support and momentum for primaries in later states," Will Reynolds, freshman politics and government major and member of ISU College Democrats, said.

Ponce added, "Iowa is a crucial state to win because it gives campaigns legitimacy... Iowa has been considered a microcosm of America and although maybe not the most diverse of the states, it has chosen the winners of the popular vote for the general election going Clinton both 1992 and 1996, Gore in 2000 and Bush in 2004."

The most recent CNN/WMUR poll in New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary, reported Clinton maintaining her lead at 36 percent with the closest contender Obama at 22 percent. However, her numbers are down nine points from the previous polling. Both polls suggest that Clinton's weaknesses are becoming apparent to voters.

"American people are becoming more aware that she is still a Washington politics person," Reynolds said.

In this election cycle, Clinton's connection to the capitol could prove detrimental.

"With a large portion of voters stating a desire to change and to have more openness in the democratic process, it is proving to challenge the Clinton strategy and make it harder for her to appeal to voters," Ponce said. Reynolds explained Clinton's image does not promote a warm connection between her and the American people, which could have cost her support.

While her Washington influence and personality may have contributed to her declining poll numbers, Ponce highlighted poor performances at recent debates have hurt the New York senator.

"With much of the American public tired of the current administration of indirect answers and tired of the same old political talk of saying what's safe and not being candid, people are hoping Hillary would come out on a limb and be direct. But she hasn't and it is really starting to take its toll," Ponce said.

Stephanie Gradle, junior politics and government major and president of ISU College Republicans, agreed that inconsistency could have led to a decline in the polls.

"Barack has been more consistent lately than she has," Gradle said.

Reynolds, Ponce and Gradle said it is uncertain Obama will become the champion in Iowa and Clinton will lose her front-runner status.

Gradle explained that a candidate's poor performance in one state does not reflect the thoughts and feelings of another state.

Ponce added, "Nothing is inevitable in politics. One mistake could fizzle out a campaign."
© 2007 The Daily Vidette via U-WIRE