At a news conference yesterday reported in the NYTimes political blog, 32 year Senior Iowa Senator Charles E Grassley predicted Barack Obama and Mitt Romney would win their respective Iowa caucuses.
And even though Mr. Grassley has decided — for the first time apparently — not to endorse anyone in the Republican caucuses, that didn’t stop him today from offering up his predictions: Senator Barack Obama of Illinois for the Democrats and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for the Republicans.
Grassley also predicted that Hillary Clinton could finish third behind second place John Edwards.
Mr. Grassley says he expects former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York to finish second and third on the Republican side. He offered up his assessments during a conference call with Iowa reporters, while suggesting that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York could finish third behind former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.
Neither Iowa Governor Chet Culver nor junior Senator Tom Harkin were prepared to offer any predictions yet.
"My father used to say — and it’s very true — that 24 hours is a long time in politics," Governor Culver continued "So I do not pretend to know what’s going to happen. I encourage the nation to pay close attention, to come to visit Iowa to be a part of the process. It has never been more exciting. On both sides, it is completely a jump-ball in my opinion."
So another top notch politician who knows more than a little about the nature of Iowa politics can see Obama's strength in the race. I'm sure his insight is much deeper than just the multitude of polls and news stories that are being published fast and furiously these days so I'm inclined to put some credence into what he's saying. Lookin' good for Obama!