Clinton Tactics Second-Guessed

Despite a decisive defeat in Iowa—and much second-guessing around the campaign campfire—Hillary Clinton is sticking with the theme that won her third place in Iowa: that she has the experience to bring about change. But some advisers warn that the experience/change message could be a logical contradiction. One said that her campaign is trying to "position" her as a "change" candidate, "but sometimes positioning just isn't available."

Some say Clinton should pivot to comeback mode—a winning strategy for Bill Clinton in 1992, when he, too, showed in Iowa. "America loves an underdog," said one Clinton insider, the Washington Post reports. "Candidates can show their character in defeat." But Hillary plans to turn up the heat on Obama's record, using a "where's the beef?" strategy that worked for Walter Mondale against Gary Hart in 1984. (More Hillary Clinton stories.)