CLINTON, Iowa (AP) – For Iowa Democrat Leslie McCreery, the memories of Hillary Clinton’s stunning loss in her state eight years ago are still fresh.
McCreery was there the night of the 2008 caucuses, trying to recruit voters to Clinton’s side, only to watch her neighbors back Barack Obama and help carry him to an upset victory. Now, as she prepares to again head Clinton’s efforts at her caucus site Monday night, MCreery can’t fathom why her candidate’s lead again feels in peril.
“It doesn’t make sense to me,” said McCreery, a 70-year-old retiree from the aptly-named town of Clinton.
McCreery is part of a legion of women – many middle-aged or older – who make up Clinton’s most loyal and enthusiastic band of followers. While they’re unwavering in their support for the former secretary of state, some are grappling with a combination of confusion and anxiety that another race in Iowa could be slipping away.
“It’s just a weird year,” said Beverly Williams, a 55-year-old who works at a corn processing plant.