“If she scores a decisive triumph, the race for the nomination is almost over.

A victory here would likely propel her to a win in New Hampshire and the nomination would be hers. But she doesn’t need to win. Her national base is so strong that she just has to stop anyone else from winning.

If no clear winner emerges, but the results show, instead, a three-way tie with Obama and Edwards, or a two-way tie between herself and either of her challengers, she comes out the winner. But if she clearly loses by a good margin or finishes third, she has blown a major opportunity and is in for a long cold winter of primaries. She won’t be knocked out in Iowa no matter what, but she could be knocked down.”

I for one would love to see her end up in 3rd place in Iowa. It would be a lot of fun watching her entire campaign thrash around and jump from issue to issue trying to recover before New Hampshire. I’d also like to see a little strain in that grin she’s had plastered on her face for the last few weeks.

The long awaited Iowa caucuses take place today in an atmosphere of political uncertainty great than in many past years — amid conflicting reports, see-saw polls and signs that at least one campaign is already working on its spin to explain it…

Which should really bug Richardson, since he’s running to be her Secretary of State.