With less than a month to go until the Iowa caucuses, I have a story in this morning's paper examining Sen. Hillary Clinton's decline in the polls.

Also, Clinton's rivals pressed her yesterday about her vote for an Iran resolution as they met for a National Public Radio debate in Iowa. Here's my story on the debate, and here's a link to the full transcript.

Meanwhile, Iowa Democrats soon will get to see their first real negative ad, being pushed by a third-party group called Democratic Courage.

The anti-Clinton spot, seen below, portrays her as someone who waffles when Republicans criticize her proposals. This ad focuses on her infamous "Baby Bonds" idea that disappeared after Republicans slammed it as a bad plan.

"Over and over again Senator Clinton has been bullied by the Republican attack machine," said Glenn Hurowitz, Democratic Courage's front man.

He said the group chose the Baby Bonds issue because "the capitulation was so clear," but said her waffling is a pattern seen in her stances on immigration, Iran and trade issues.

Hurowitz said he fears that if Clinton were to become the Democratic nominee, she would "cave" any time a Republican calls her ideas "socialist."

Hurowitz, who also is trying to sell his new book, said the group has enough money for a "modest" ad buy on Iowa television starting Friday. He added that "it's possible" the group will create ads that criticize other candidates.

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign issued this statement responding to reports about the ad: "These types of ads have no place in the race for the Democratic nomination. As Obama's record shows, he believes all campaign activity should be above-board and accounted for."

In the mean time, here's a bit of good news for Clinton from an Iowa newspaper. The Vinton Eagle endorsed her today, saying she offers "the complete package for what America needs in 2008."

"Through eight years as the First Lady during her husband, President Bill Clinton's administration, she helped shaped policy on a regular basis. And in an election year in which it is essential that we get it right, she is without question, the right choice," the newspaper editorialized.

-- Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times