Hillary gets crucial 2008 boost

2007-03-26 22:10

Washington - Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton on Monday snapped up a key political endorsement in the crucial early-voting state of Iowa, in a significant boost to her 2008 White House campaign.

Former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack and his wife Christine signed up to work for the New York senator, adding their state-wide political network to her cause ahead of January's Iowa caucuses, the first party nominating contest.

"I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have the endorsements of two people whom I admire so much," Clinton said, appearing with the couple in the key midwestern state's capital Des Moines.

Vilsack, who mounted his own brief bid for the Democratic nomination, added: "I am proud to support you in your effort to be the next president of the United States."

He said Clinton could "begin from the very first day as president to repair the tarnished image the United States has had during the (George W) Bush administration".

Narrow lead

The announcement will help Clinton - already with a narrow lead in the state according to a new poll - reach into every corner of Iowa, which demands candidates pursue an intense, often one-on-one, engagement with voters.

It may also be seen as a blow to senator Barack Obama who has emerged as Clinton's closest nationwide rival for the Democratic nomination.

The other top-tier Democratic candidate John Edwards - who last week said his campaign would go on despite his wife Elizabeth's cancer relapse - has blitzed the state over the last two years and has also built up a formidable Iowa network.

In the latest American Research Group poll, Clinton had edged ahead of Edwards, winning the support of 34% of likely Democratic caucus goers.

Former vice-presidential nominee Edwards had 33%.

Obama, expected to return to Iowa this weekend, had only 16%.

- AFP