Could Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton lose both Iowa and New Hampshire? Her campaign seems to think so and is fundraising off the possibility.
“The contests in Iowa and New Hampshire will be here faster than you can believe (or at least faster than I can!),” Mrs. Clinton wrote in an email to supporters Sunday. “That means it’s time to be realistic about the resources we still need to be ready because right now, winning this nomination is no sure thing.”
The email goes on to ask for a $1 donation so her campaign can raise $2 million before the end of the year.
“If we lose in Iowa or New Hampshire, we’re going to need to dig in and work that much harder to make sure we win the nomination,” Mrs. Clinton says. “I’m going to fight as hard as I can to earn every last vote. But I need you to fight alongside me.”
According to the most recent polls, Mrs. Clinton leads her nearest rival, Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders, by 15 points in Iowa and by 3 points in New Hampshire.
In 2008 during Mrs. Clinton’s first presidential bid, she was stunned by then-Sen. Barack Obama in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus. Although she went on to win New Hampshire, Mrs. Clinton ultimately lost the Democratic primary.
In 2016, many pundits have dubbed Mrs. Clinton the presumed nominee. After the third Democratic debate this month, Mrs. Clinton widened her national lead over her rivals, with 60 percent supporting Mrs. Clinton, compared with 27 percent for Mr. Sanders, according to the latest CNN/ORC poll.
• Kelly Riddell can be reached at kriddell@washingtontimes.com.
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