There were a couple of surprising (to me) quotes in the newspapers today. An article in The Wall Street Journalquoted Hillary Clinton’s press secretary, Jay Carlson as saying:
"Iowa is so small, it’s like a mayor’s race in a medium-sized city. It wouldn’t be wise to put too much emphasis on it."
The same article quotes Clinton chief strategist Mark Penn:
"The worst thing would be to over count Iowa and its importance. Iowa doesn’t have a record of picking presidents."
The Washington Postquoted Bill Clinton this way:
"Ladies and gentlemen, New Hampshire is going to be given the chance to prove that you are the first [pause for emphasis] primary."
After bragging-up the intelligence and dedication of Iowa voters for the last year, Hillary Clinton suddenly finds little to love about the Hawkeye state. Well, I have bad news for the Clintons. They’re in for more of the same from New Hampshire.
In Iowa Barack Obama attracted thousands of first-time caucus-goers, building a coalition of independents and moderate Republicans to win handily. Well, guess what 45 percent of New Hampshire's voters are? They are independents, not registered for the Democratic or Republican parties, and they can vote in Tuesday’s primary.
The Clintons are much-loved in New Hampshire, the state where Bill Clinton earned the nickname, "The Comeback Kid." But I like to think that the Independents in New Hampshire are just that – independent thinkers who are ready for a change.
People of New Hampshire, be warned – If you don’t give the Clintons what they want, their vindictiveness will be turned on you next.