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Clinton vows to battle on
04/01/2008 09:53 - (SA)
Des Moines, Iowa - Hillary Clinton on Thursday vowed to fight on and wage a nationwide battle for the presidency, despite slumping to defeat to Democratic foe Barack Obama in Iowa's leadoff 2008 nominating clash.
Clinton said she was "optimistic" and "confident" going into the next contest, the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, and said she had always intended to wage a campaign across the whole country.
But she looked set to finish in third place in the caucuses, also behind former vice-presidential nominee John Edwards, a result which raised fresh doubts about her prospects, and represented a triumph for Obama.
A downcast crowd
And as the results of the caucuses became clear, a crowd, gathered in a small ballroom in the hotel serving as her election headquarters in Iowa, was downcast and milled about, and enthusiasm had to be whipped up by a soundtrack of her campaign theme songs.
"I am so ready for the rest of this campaign and I am so ready to lead," Clinton said in a short speech at her Iowa headquarters, flanked by former president Bill Clinton and members of her family.
Clinton offered congratulations to Obama and John Edwards, and said she took the high Democratic turnout as evidence that a Democrat was destined to win the White House in November 2008.
She will now have to emulate her husband, who used a strong showing in the New Hampshire primary in 1992 to keep his campaign alive, and christened himself the "Comeback Kid" as he set course for the White House.
"We have always planned to run a national campaign all the way through the early contests," Clinton said.
"How will we win in November 2008? By nominating a candidate who will be able to go the distance and who will be the best president on day one," she said, casting new doubts on Obama's purported inexperience.
Obama inexperienced?
Clinton's campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle said the former first lady would continue to attempt to raise doubts about Obama's experience, in a year when Democrats are certain they have a great chance to win the presidency.
"Hillary is going to continue making the case that in these serious times when America faces big challenges, it will take a leader with the strength and experience to deliver real change," Doyle said.
"This race begins tonight and ends when Democrats throughout America have their say. Our campaign was built for a marathon and we have the resources to run a national race in the weeks ahead."
Despite her disappointment, Clinton remains in a strong position to fight for the Democratic nomination, said Peter Brown, assistant director, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Clinton's not only still in the game but she remains the favourite for the Democratic nomination," said Brown.
"She is in very good shape in a lot of places. Obama has dented the aura of invincibility but is yet not the clear frontrunner," he said.
- AFP
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