2008 presidential hopefuls offer last pitches for Iowa
Leading presidential contenders make closing arguments in Iowa.
DES MOINES -- The leading presidential contenders made closing arguments for their candidacies and against their opponents in weekend interviews with USA TODAY as the opening Iowa caucuses approach Thursday. The contests remain extraordinarily close — and critically important — in both major parties.
Republican Mike Huckabee, essentially tied with Mitt Romney in statewide polls, questioned his rival's integrity and credibility. Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, also locked in a dead heat, argued each was best able to deliver the change voters want.
The rhetoric was particularly pointed in the GOP.
Huckabee called Romney's attacks desperate. "I could save a kid from drowning in the river and Romney would get me for polluting the river by not bodily washing off before jumping in," the former Arkansas governor said.
Romney said a tough and tightening race was part of "the nature of politics." The former Massachusetts governor is airing TV ads attacking Huckabee in Iowa and Arizona Sen. John McCain in New Hampshire.
Nine presidential hopefuls crisscrossed Iowa Sunday — attending church services, doing TV interviews and stumping at rallies in high school gyms — in a final push for the contest that is likely to reshape the race, boosting the winners and damaging the also-rans.
"The bounce and free media you get from early victories, history shows, is very important," McCain said. "Look, when you win, the money comes in."
To hear their final arguments, USA TODAY sought interviews with the eight candidates who have double-digit support in the latest national USA TODAY/Gallup Poll. The three Democrats and four of the Republicans accepted. Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, a Republican, declined.
Edwards, who has staked his presidential ambitions on Iowa, said he was benefiting as voters began to compare him, Clinton and Obama. "The glitz associated with a couple of the Democratic candidates … has waned considerably as we get to a serious judgment about who should be president," Edwards said.
Related Stories
ABC News Live