Sanders’ surge tests Clinton in Iowa

Washington – — Recall this 2008 storyline: Hillary Clinton enters the presidential campaign as the Democratic front-runner, runs into an inspirational candidate who generates big crowds and enthusiasm. And she winds up in a dogfight in Iowa.

Sound familiar? With 10 days left before Iowa’s lead-off caucuses, Clinton finds herself in a heated contest against insurgent rival Bernie Sanders reminiscent of her 2008 face-off with then-Sen. Barack Obama. The Vermont senator has soared to a nip-and-tuck race in Iowa and holds an advantage in New Hampshire, putting Clinton back on the brink in her second presidential bid.

Clinton lost Iowa in 2008, a setback that she never fully recovered from against Obama, who went on to win the White House. This time she hopes a larger field organization in Iowa and an escalation of her critiques of Sanders’ record and message might undercut his momentum.

Yet there may be a silver lining for Clinton’s 2016 campaign: Unlike Obama, Sanders is a self-described “democratic socialist” and has done little to expand his support beyond white liberal voters who populate the first two presidential contests. Clinton has locked down nearly all of the establishment support — governors, members of Congress and Democratic leaders — who can help her in a lengthy primary.

“Bernie’s appeal is powerful and it resonates with a certain lane of the Democratic electorate for sure, young voters, independent voters,” said Steve McMahon, a Democratic strategist who advised Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign. “But it’s ultimately not a winning general election message, it’s a protest message. It’s difficult to see it grow to the point it becomes a real threat to Secretary Clinton’s campaign.”

Clinton led in Iowa throughout the fall and into December but polls released this month have depicted a much tighter race against Sanders. At campaign stops, Clinton has ramped up her criticism of Sanders, questioning the practicality of his agenda to provide universal health care, his voting record on gun control and his foreign policy credentials.

Sanders, like Obama, has sought to offer a more uplifting, aspirational message. His latest ad, “America,” shows off his massive rallies and a genial image of the 74-year-old lawmaker.

It presents a window into how Sanders has tapped into a key part of the Obama coalition: white liberal voters and young voters. Both were critical in Obama’s Iowa victory in 2008 and will be counted upon heavily, along with independent voters who can register for the Democratic caucuses if they choose.

But one major question entering Iowa is whether there will be enough of these voters. In 2008, Obama fueled a massive turnout in Iowa — about 240,000 people participated — and few expect crowds anywhere near that.

Man’s final request

A Pittsburgh chiropractor’s obituary is asking people to not vote for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, in lieu of sending flowers.

Jason Brown tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he and his brother decided to include the line in their 70-year-old father’s obituary after recalling one published in August for a New Jersey woman: Elaine Fydrych had urged her loved ones not to vote for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.