Interesting Omission from, and Assumption in, Initial AP Report
It’s pretty interesting that the Associated Press’s initial report advising Hillary Clinton to bypass Iowa didn’t mention that John Edwards is ahead in the polls there. I think it’s fair to ask whether anyone else shown trailing in the polls would indeed be reported as trailing in polls (of course they would; a later report did just that, but the question about the initial report stands).
Clinton’s opponents are surely grateful for that awful picture of her at the first link.
The assumption in the report concerns Iowa’s governor:
Clinton has also collected the endorsement of former-Gov. Tom Vilsack and his wife Christie. They accompany her on virtually all of her campaign stops. Vilsack sought the Democratic presidential nomination, but dropped out earlier this year when he found it difficult to raise money. He remains very popular with Iowa Democrats and is considered a significant asset to her Iowa campaign.
Whether or not the polls support the claims of Vilsack’s popularity, it’s important to recall that Vilsack vetoed eminent-domain bills (fourth item at link) that had passed by 80% and 90% bipartisan majorities. I contend that this was a relevant factor in his presidential campaign’s quick fizzle, and that he is nowhere near the “significant asset” AP assumes he is.
