Clinton touts electability in intense push on final weekend

CLINTON, Iowa — Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton was accompanied by the governor of a key battleground state Saturday as she raced through the final weekend before Iowa's leadoff precinct caucuses, making the case that she's the candidate who can win in November.

Clinton and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland campaign through vote-rich eastern Iowa, arguing that the former first lady is best able to win back the White House and is ready to tackle the job once she's elected.

"When Governor Strickland decided to endorse me it was a great personal endorsement," said Clinton. "I think it also said something about who he believes, of all of our good Democrats running, who is best prepared to actually run and win in a state like Ohio, which we need to win to take back the White House."

Strickland, the state's first Democratic governor in 16 years, said Clinton was the party's best presidential candidate.

"I think I know what it takes to win in Ohio," Strickland said. "She's a person of experience. Serious times call for serious candidates."

Speaking with reporters after her event, Clinton said there's a reason she has the support of so many political leaders.

"They are not on a political suicide mission," said Clinton. "They are professionals, they are assessing each and every one of us and they are concluding, number one, I would be the best president and, two, I am the Democrat most likely to be elected."

Clinton added that people know where she stands on issues.

"There is very little guesswork," she said. "I feel very comfortable in taking my record and my campaign to the people."

Most polls have shown Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards locked in a tight race in Iowa, where precinct caucuses will be held Thursday.

One big issue for Iowans is which Democrat has the best chance of winning back the White House after eight years of Republican control.

Clinton was exuding confidence with Strickland at her side.

"I look forward, as the nominee, to campaigning with him in Ohio," said Clinton. "We're going to win Ohio and I believe that we're going to win a lot of states that haven't been as friendly a territory to Democratic presidential candidates in the last several years."

Making her case to about 300 people at a high school in Clinton, the former first lady made it clear her role in the White House was one of a player.

"I was privileged to be a part of a lot of the decisions we made," said Clinton.