Iowa Wrapping Up With Clinton TV Plea

Jan. 2, 2007 — -- Hillary Clinton says the decision for Iowa's Democratic caucusgoers on Thursday night comes down to one question: "After all the town meetings, the pie and coffee," she says, "it comes down to this: Who is ready to be president and ready to start solving the big challenges we face on day one?"

Clinton will make that closing argument to Iowa voters in an on-camera address to be televised during the 6 p.m. local newscasts on every affiliate that has a 6 p.m. newscast seen in Iowa. To get even more bang for the buck, the campaign is releasing the transcript of the ad and making it available to national networks earlier in the day.

"As we start this New Year, America is at a crossroads," Clinton begins, speaking straight to the camera. "We're a nation at war in a dangerous world. We have a faltering economy, an energy crisis and 47 million people without health care. But after seven long years of this administration, we finally have the opportunity for a new beginning."

Re-using one of her biggest applause lines on the campaign trail in Iowa, Clinton says it's time to end the "era of cowboy diplomacy" and bring troops home from Iraq.    After mentioning her health care proposal for universal coverage, Clinton repeats another line from her standard stump speech: "I'm not running for President to put band-aids on our problems. I'm runningto solve them."

"I know you have waited a long time for a president who could hear you and see you.   I would like to be that president," Clinton says.

She implores viewers to caucus for her on Thursday. "Put on your coats and call up a friend and help me change America."

New polls show both races competitive, the outcomes extraordinarily unpredictable.

Among Democrats, Sen. Barack Obama, an Illinois senator, is fighting with Clinton of New York for the lead as former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina gives them strong chase.

"The polls look good, but understand this the polls are not enough. The only thing that counts is whether or not you show up to caucus," Obama told a fired-up crowd of young and old packed into a high school gymnasium.