Clinton Says Economy Needs Experience

Polls show Clinton locked in a tight race with Obama and Edwards in Iowa more than six weeks before the state holds its caucuses Jan. 3. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Obama with 30 percent support among likely Democratic caucus-goers and Clinton with 26 percent and Edwards with 22 percent. The poll showed that about half of Clinton supporters said they had never attended a caucus; 43 percent of Obama supporters said this would be their first caucus. The finding is significant because voters considered the most reliable caucus participants are those who have caucused before.

Clinton, in her speech, also tackled the issue of Social Security.

In recent weeks, Clinton and Obama have traded barbs over the retirement program for seniors, which is forecast to run out of money around 2041. Presently, the first $97,500 in individual income is subject to the Social Security tax _ a level Obama has said must be increased in order to keep the program solvent.

Clinton has refused to say what she would do as president to preserve Social Security but has insisted such a tax increase would place an undue burden on middle-class families.

She reiterated that point Monday, even suggesting Social Security is not under imminent threat.

"We don't need more Republican scare tactics about a 'Social Security crisis,'" Clinton said. "And we don't need a trillion-dollar tax increase that will hit families already facing higher energy, health care and college costs. What we need is to focus on the real crises of health care and Medicare, and on expanding opportunities for poor, working and middle class families who are struggling now."

Clinton delivered her speech in Knoxville, the first of four stops in rural communities her advisers believe are key to victory in the Jan. 3 caucuses.

In Tama, an Air Force veteran asked Clinton about her support for allowing gays to serve openly in the military. How would privacy be protected, he asked?

Clinton said she believed all service members, including gays, must be expected to observe the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which determines appropriate behavior.

"I feel strongly that if someone wants to serve their country, if they're a patriot, if they'll comply with the code of military justice and have appropriate behavior, they should not be disqualified simply because they are gay," she said.