Bloomberg.com: U.S.

Bloomberg.com: U.S.: "Hillary Clinton Touts Electability, Attacks Republicans in Iowa By Kim Chipman Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John Edwards took aim at frontrunner Hillary Clinton in Iowa yesterday while the former first lady sought to stay above the fray by focusing her criticism on Republicans and touting herself as the most electable candidate. " ``I'm not interested in attacking my opponents,'' New York Senator Clinton, 60, said yesterday in Des Moines at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, a fundraiser for the Iowa Democratic Party. ``We should be turning up the heat on the Republicans.'' With the Iowa caucuses less than two months away, Illinois Senator Obama and former North Carolina Senator Edwards have stepped up attacks on Clinton, who tops national polls and is vying for the lead in Iowa. While Obama didn't mention her by name, he was the most aggressive in going after Clinton. ``The same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do it in this election,'' Obama, 46, said. ``Not answering questions because we are afraid our answers won't be popular just won't do it.'' Clinton stumbled in an Oct. 30 debate when she was asked about New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to make driver's licenses available to illegal immigrants. Clinton gave conflicting answers, concluding that while she doesn't formally endorse the plan, it ``makes a lot of sense.'' She later acknowledged that she wasn't at her ``best'' during the forum. Edwards, 54, also took some jabs at Clinton yesterday by emphasizing what he says is the corrupting influence of Washington lobbyists on politics. `Corporate Money' ``Washington is awash with corporate money,'' he said at yesterday's dinner, which attracted a record crowd of more than 9,000. ``With lobbyists who pass it out, with politicians who ask for it.'' Edwards has previously criticized Clinton for her acceptance of campaign funds from lobbyists. Last month, he contended that a Clinton presidency would establish a ``corruption machine.'' At least one political observer gave Clinton high marks for her speech last night. ``Clinton was very, very good,'' said Charlie Cook, independent analyst and publisher of the Cook Political Report in Washington. ``She's had a tough 10 days or so, I think she turned in the performance she needed.'' Clinton touted support she's received from Democratic leaders in Republican-leaning states such as Arkansas who ``know that I can win.'' She also noted the endorsement she won last week from Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. ``Democrats know when we win Ohio, we win the White House,'' she said. January Caucus Still, Clinton said she's also prepared for a tough fight as the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses draw near. ``I know as the campaign goes on, it's going to get a little hotter out there, but that's fine by me,'' Clinton said. ``As Harry Truman said, if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen, and I'll tell you what, I feel really comfortable in the kitchen.'' Clinton called on Democrats to fight harder to champion civil rights, combat climate change and end the war in Iraq. On cue, her supporters chanted the refrain ``turn up the heat.'' Obama had a similarly enthusiastic crowd, as did Edwards. All the campaigns sought to fill the Des Moines stadium where the event took place with their own backers. Guests paid between $20 and several thousand dollars to attend. ``It's a chance for the candidates to be seen as really being carried along a wave of enthusiastic support,'' said Dennis Goldford, a politics professor at Drake University in Des Moines. Six Candidates The six presidential hopefuls, who also included New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, spoke directly to the Iowa crowd with no interruptions from a moderator. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California was emcee of the dinner. While Clinton has huge leads in national polls among all voters and in many states throughout the U.S., it's a different story in Iowa. The state features a close contest between Clinton, Obama and Edwards. ``It's essentially a three-person race,'' Goldford said. ``But a lot can happen in eight weeks.'' To contact the reporter on this story: Kim Chipman in Washington at kchipman@bloomberg.net . Last Updated: November 11, 2007 05:15 EST