Fifty days out from Iowa, Clinton must still be considered the frontrunner in the race, but she is increasingly vulnerable to attacks from her rivals. Clinton’s vulnerability (real or imagined) comes just as Obama seems to have found his voice. Dismissing Edwards is a mistake, if only for his willingness to directly attack Clinton (a move that could well accrue to Obama’s benefit) and his continued base of support in Iowa.
Iowa’s importance in the process cannot be overstated. In a cycle where the vote in large states like California and Florida seemed likely to dwarf the role of Iowa, the exact opposite has occurred. All three top-tier Democratic campaigns hang by a thread in the Hawkeye State. If Clinton wins Iowa, she is the heavy favorite for the nomination. But if she doesn’t, the race fundamentally changes.
The first- and second-place finishers in Iowa will have their tickets punched for the next leg of the ride. Finishing third in Iowa would likely end the candidacies of Edwards and Obama and cripple the campaign of Clinton. “Third place is a real problem for any of us,” said Trippi.
The race will likely come down to Clinton and an anti-Clinton — either Obama (more likely) or Edwards.