Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said late Monday that she’s “breathing a big sigh of relief” after the Iowa caucuses. Not all results were calculated by the time Clinton took the stage, but she was virtually deadlocked with rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as she began speaking.
Clinton said she was looking forward to having more substantive conversations with Sanders in the Democratic primary race going forward.
“I am excited about really getting into the debate with Sen. Sanders about the best way forward to fight for us in America,” she said.
Clinton didn’t go so far as to claim a victory in Iowa during her speech, but vowed “when it is all said and done” to fight against a “Republican vision.” She also praised former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who dropped out of the Democratic primary race earlier in the night after a disappointing showing in the Hawkeye State, as a “great public servant.”
“So I stand here tonight breathing a big sigh of relief,” Clinton said. “Thank you, Iowa.”
Sounds premature to me. Why comment at all when the results aren’t all in and you haven’t been declared winner? Is this a Bush-2000 move? Get the narrative started that you won and hope it sticks in the minds of voters even if tomorrow brings a different outcome? There seems to be an intention to drive coverage one way or the other–I won or I didn’t really lose–I proved myself, etc. Another narrative would be I nearly lost or actually did lose a giant lead.
because she came in third last time, then went on to lose South Carolina – she probably should wipe her brow.
That’s what Chuck Todd was saying on MSNBC. But now that Bernie Sanders is on, he’s asking why he waited so long, wondering if, by waiting so long, he didn’t miss an opportunity to get ahead of the situation. My head is spinning.
Clinton and TPM should perhaps have held their breaths a bit longer, yes?
Ugh.