Hillary May Play In Iowa After All

WASHINGTON - Sen.
Hillary Rodham Clinton has begun calling political operatives in Iowa and New Hampshire to discuss her prospects in the 2008 presidential field, her first outreach to operatives in key states with early contests.

The New York Democrat began making calls to New Hampshire activists over the weekend and Iowa Democrats on Monday.

Gordon Fischer, a Des Moines lawyer who formerly chaired the Iowa Democratic Party, said he had gotten a message from Clinton's staff inviting him to dinner in Washington next week. Fischer said he would be unable to attend and did not know who else had been invited.

Clinton spoke to New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch last week, Democratic officials told The Associated Press.

Bonnie Campbell, a former Iowa attorney general who served in the Justice Department under President
Bill Clinton, said she spoke to Clinton twice on Monday. Campbell's husband, Edward Campbell, is a former chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party.

"It was highly exploratory about '08," Campbell told The Associated Press. "She knows a lot about Iowa. I have already told her I would support her. We've known her for a very long time."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061205/ap_on_el_pr/clinton2008_10

would be the likely second choice of those who don't garner the necessary 15%. If Hillary plays in Iowa, she'll probably lose, even if slightly, to Edwards.

I think she'll lose on the second ballot. Edwards has been working hard. And there's Vilsack.

She'll easily have 15% in most precincts, it's a matter of whether she'll have enough to come in first place after the supporters of candidates under 15% choose a new candidate to support. My guess is Iowa is Edwards' victory.

I've participated in a few. Again, I don't think she'll draw the 15% on the first ballot. Won't happen in the precincts I know well, in North Central Iowa.