Democratic and Liberal political analysis and commentary

Hillary Clinton has slipped to second place in the most recent Iowa caucus poll, four points behind Obama, but still eight ahead of Edwards. This actually puts her in the power position. Obama's supporters tend to skew younger, and the younger you are, according to past precedent, the less likely you are to attend a caucus. For some reason, younger people tend to be more blow than show on caucus night.

Hillary will have a psychological advantage coming in to caucus night. If the expectations are that she will finish second because of her showing in the polls, then a second place finish will not hurt her chances moving forward. But if Obama is expected to be first and then finishes second or third, he will be damaged goods moving toward the New Hampshire primary.