Clinton tries to regain lead in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., narrowed her campaign rhetoric to try to break the three-way tie eight days ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

Clinton focused her campaign arguments on the reliable issue of her experience gained during her husband's tenure as U.S. president, while rivals Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigned for a change in politics, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

Clinton's campaign speeches narrowed to the issue of experience in the final stretch to the official primary season, suggesting her rivals lack the political ability and experience to defeat the eventual Republican nominee.

Recent polling suggested that experience is Clinton's key attribute when compared to Edwards or Obama, but her rivals claim it is the wrong kind of experience, alluding to several darker events during the Clinton administration, the Post said.

Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod, said the presidential campaign was about change and touted Obama as "the candidate who will bring it."

Edwards maintained a strong presence in New Hampshire, which his campaign said is indicative of the former senator's strong placing in Iowa.