Marathon Pundit: Hillary not surrendering Illinois to Obama

One time Illinois farm girl Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Chicago today, where she met with Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has already endorsed Illinois' junior senator, Barack Obama, to be the next Democratic presidential nominee.

Barring an implosion of the Obama campaign--which could of course happen--Obama is a lock to win next year's Illinois Primary.

Hillary returns to Chicago next Monday for a fundraiser, so she has to talk-tough--otherwise her area supporters might not open up their checkbooks. Here's what she said about her chances against Obama here:

With respect to my colleague and a wonderful candidate as well, we are competing across the country. I don't consider Chicago or Illinois to be off-limits to me. I am not ceding any voter, anywhere, to any one.