LEXINGTON, Va. -- Students at Washington and Lee University predict that Hillary Clinton will take Iowa, in a preliminary prediction weeks before the highly anticipated 2008 Democratic Mock Convention, which will mark the 100th year of the school’s most time-honored tradition.

"In a race that has become all about turnout, we believe Senator Clinton's impressive campaign organization and strong support among the Democratic faithful will enable her to narrowly hold off the challenges by Senators Obama and Edwards," says Political Chairman Wesley Little.

According to Iowa State Chairman Emerson Bloom, "We make this prediction after conducting extensive research over the past year, which included a close examination of the polls in Iowa and multiple discussions with local and national pundits, campaign staffers, and professors."

The Iowa prediction is a prelude to the actual prediction, which will be made at the Mock Convention on January 25 and 26 at Washington and Lee’s historic campus in Lexington. There, students will attempt to maintain their unparalleled record of accuracy in predicting the next presidential nominee for the party not currently in the White House. The W&L Mock Convention boasts 18 correct predictions out of 23 total attempts, with only one incorrect prediction since 1948, making it the most accurate student-run mock convention in the nation.

With over 90% of the student body involved in a two year effort involving national polls, field research, A-list political speakers, and a fair share of fun, the W&L Mock Convention certainly makes a statement against youth apathy in politics.