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From Times Online

January 4, 2008

Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee blow race wide open with Iowa victories

Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee talks with Jay Leno

Tim Reid in Manchester, New Hampshire and Tom Baldwin in Des Moines

Watch the candidates' speeches: Obama, Clinton, Huckabee

Barack Obama stormed to victory in the Iowa caucuses last night, pushing Hillary Clinton into third place in the opening contest of the 2008 Democratic presidential race which he declared had been a "defining moment in history" for America.

This morning he arrives in New Hampshire ahead of Tuesday's primary election where another win could provide him with the momentum needed to propel him all the way to the White House.

In Iowa last night Mr Obama won 38 per cent of elected delegates after a record turnout boosted by independent and young idealistic voters. Mrs Clinton secured 29 per cent of delegates, fractionally behind John Edwards.

She has consistently led national opinion polls for the Democratic nomination and in a concession speech last night insisted she was ready for the next stage of a contest, saying she was "a candidate who will be ready to go the distance".

Mr Edwards vowed to carry his populist message on to New Hampshire but knows Mr Obama has now confirmed himself as the chief, if not only challenger, to Mrs Clinton. Two Democratic candidates, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd later announced they were dropping out of the race after winning just 1 per cent of delegates between them.

The Republican race saw Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor who was being written off as a no hope candidate as recently as October, winning over second placed Mitt Romney by a margin of 34 to 25 per cent.

Mr Romney, who has poured millions of dollars form his own business fortune into his bid to become America's first Mormon president, outspent Mr Huckabee by 15 to one in Iowa and had better organisation. But it was Mr Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, who carried the day with strong support from religious conservatives who represent 40 per cent of the Republican vote in this mid-Western state.

"Tonight, I love Iowa a whole lot," said Mr Huckabee at his victory rally. Standing in front of Chuck Norris, the former world karate champion and Hollywood action hero who has become a significant asset to his campaign, he claimed his victory proved that "the message is more important than the purse".

Although Mr Huckabee is trailing in polls for among the more secular New Hampshire electorate – and is expected to turn his sights on the January 16 South Carolina primary – Mr Romney is facing a ferocious challenge from the resurgent John McCain next Tuesday.

There is now a growing prospect of the Republican fight becoming protracted even beyond February 5 when many of the bigger states vote.

Rudy Giuliani, who came a humiliating sixth in Iowa, is hoping to revive his campaign in Florida on January 29. Fred Thompson, who narrowly held on to third place over Mr McCain last night, may try to hang on for better times in his native South. Maverick Ron Paul, who won 10 per cent last night, hopes to do even better in New Hampshire where a significant portion of voters are libertarians.

But it was Mr Obama, 46, who will attract most attention for his victory last night. He has been drawing huge and enthusiastic crowds in Iowa in recent months with his message of hope and change. He is the first black man to stand a credible chance of winning the White House and, at a tumultuous victory party last night, predicted that he could become a president who reunited America as "one people, one nation" if New Hampshire backed him in the same way that Iowa had.

"They said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. But on this January night, on this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do. You did what the state of New Hampshire can do in five days."

"I'll be a president that ends this war in Iraq and finally brings our troops home, who restores our moral standing, who understands that 9/11 is not a way a way to scare up votes but a challenge that should unite America and the world against the common threats of the 21st Century," he said.

Mr Obama won a stunning across-the-board victory, in the major cities, in conservative western Iowa, and down the Mississippi River in the east of the state. Exit polls suggested he had even got support form more women voters than Mrs Clinton - who is trying to be American's first female president.

"Hope is the bedrock of this nation, the belief that our destiny will not be written for us but by us, by all those men and women who are not content to settle for the world as it is but who have the courage to remake the world as it should be," he said at his victory rally.

Mrs Clinton, 60, had argued that her experience made her the more qualified candidate to bring about change in America. In a low-key speech last night where she was flanked by her husband and former president, Bill Clinton, as well as their daughter, Chelsea, she said: "We know we're going to get up tomorrow and try as hard as we can to get the message out about what is at stake in this election."

Aides to Mr Obama are predicting that she will launch a bitterly negative campaign against him in the coming days. Mr Clinton told reporters shortly before the vote that he had suffered set-backs in his own bid for the White House 16 years ago. "I didn’t win a race until I got to Georgia,” he said. “You just got to keep going. It is a long process.”

Democrats (per cent of the vote)

Barack Obama: 37.6

John Edwards: 29.8

Hillary Clinton 29.5

Bill Richardson 2.1

Joe Biden 0.9

Chris Dodd 0.02

(final result)

Republicans

Mike Huckabee 34.3

Mitt Romney 25.3

Fred Thompson 13.4

John McCain 13.1

Ron Paul 10

Rudy Giuliani 3.5

Duncan Hunter 0.4

I've always been more optimistic about Obama's chances than most people I've spoken with.

I think race is more a factor in the primaries than it will be if he makes it to the general election. Americans are not especially racist (considering that American is not a race) but we tend to think that the person standing next to us is racist... especially if the person standing next to us is a Republican.

I'm glad he's making thoughtfulness look sexy again. I'd rather have Obama than JFK, to be honest.

Adam, Seattle, Washington

In as much as the elections are held "across the pond", it is certain that decisions made in USA affects the world at large. Thus i believe it is in order for people living outside USA to voice thier opinion. That is the first issue. The second issue here is that the '08 elections is somewhat unprecedented in American history for some reasons - It's fielding the first "serious" African-American contender, the first "serious" female contender who happens to be the first First lady to contest for such a position in USA (its common in Argentina), fielding the first "serious" oldest contender (McCain is 71) and due to the availablity of YouTube, Reuters and all media which have online prescence, it becomes almost impossible not to notice what's happening in the USA.
Now put all these factors to play and you realise its an unheralded situation even for the Americans themselves. Never has America had a complex set of candidates to choose from, thus the reason the whole world is watching.

Morakinyo, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex

Kudos to the people of Iowa for not being prejudiced, and for being open to the idea that a black man with a Muslim background, who has a name rhyming with 'Osama' and with a middle name of Hussein, could one day be President of the US.

That is a good message to send to the rest of the world.

Bilal Patel, London, UK

well it's obvious that the people did not want Hilary Clinton, but do they want obarma, if they do, I believe this leaves the extremists a way in to the white house

victor arram, (westcliff on sea, essex), what exactly are you saying? Spit it out and lets know your motive and facts for such an irresponsible and uneducated comment. Are you saying that Obama is a terrorist? I know its common place for brits to argue freedom of speech but a thought of caution acts like a pinch of salt to add taste and make sense. The world is a different place to when you were growing up my friend. Besides, you dont count i.e -1. To the candidates, good luck and to the voters, God speed.

Ade, London, England

You must remember Iowa is a small state. We are used to personal politics as in your face type. They the candidates must work hard to convince us to be loyal to them. Many independents showed last nite. 238.000 democrats and 115.000 republicans. The most ever in a caucus. It is a very fluid and changing process. I was for and spoke for Biden and lost as one missing vote or person so we went to Edwards side. Humboldt county went to Edwards was a surprise. It was fun to jockey and get your people to submit to another candidate. I would say the caucus works.

merle ayres, Humboldt, Iowa / USA

"It was a good day for American politics, in a week that saw Nigeria's recent presidential election descend into an abyss of rioting"

Erm, Nigeria??? Wrong country ...

Well done Obama. I hope the momentum of this victory carries you through to Super Tuesday.

Bea Etemah, London, UK

Jonathan, Auckland, New Zealand - glad you see it my way.

Phil, NY, NY

Primitive and stupid way for electing a president? That's a very ignorant way to put it. This gives an opportunity for the middle and smaller states of the nation to hear their voices and not let the bigger states monopolize the choices for presidency. The USA is a very large country with many views, especially regarding political views. People living in smaller countries can and will never understand.
BTW-Obama's speech yesterday was absolutely brilliant. No wonder why so many Iowans voted for him. His speech was the highlight of every news channel even Fox News. It's also very interesting that the Democratic turn out was a record yesterday, doubling that of the Republican turnout(which had a record turnout as well).

Ann, Pasadena, CA/USA

Primitive and stupid way for electing a president? That's a very ignorant way to put it. This gives an opportunity for the middle and smaller states of the nation to hear their voices and not let the bigger states monopolize the choices for presidency. The USA is a very large country with many views, especially regarding political views. People living in smaller countries can never and will never understand.
BTW-Obama's speech yesterday was absolutely brilliant. No wonder why so many Iowans voted for him. His speech was the highlight of every news channel even Fox News. It's also very interesting that the Democratic turn out was a record yesterday, doubling that of the Republican turnout(which had a record turnout as well).

Ann, Pasadena, CA/USA

To Phil, NY, NY - you're intellect is obviously so advanced you see little point in qualifying your argument / opinion and engaging in debate...

Jonathan, Auckland, New Zealand

Yanko, according to the latest polls, Obama does about twice as well as Clinton does against the potential Republicans in a general election. Clinton actually makes for a much bigger target for the Republicans than Obama because she is despised by a significant portion of the independent vote in America. On the other hand, Obama is very popular with independents. His popularity could of course wane by election day, but there is no way for Clinton to make herself more popular.

Speaking as a Republican, I'll say that Obama would get my vote against any Republican candidate except McCain or Thompson. Clinton and Edwards would get my vote only against Huckabee or Paul.

Also, the Iowa and New Hampshire votes have little real influence on who ultimately gets the nomination. They merely weed out the also-rans, like Biden and Tancredo. The real decision will be made on February 5.

Brett Champion, Alexandria, Virginia, US

Hilarious to read the simplified half-hashed opinions on american politics most of the european commenters on this post have written. As usual, from the minimum of experience and knowledge euros think they know it all. Hilarious....and we are the stupid ones?

Phil, NY, NY

well it's obvious that the people did not want Hilary Clinton, but do they want obarma, if they do, I believe this leaves the extremists a way in to the white house

victor arram, westcliff on sea, essex

Edward B Ryder IV, Greenlawn, NY/USA
I bet you meant Kenya or are you of the persuasion that 'they' are all the same?.

Tayo, Cincinnati, OH, OH/USA

The writer from NY/USA has his facts mixed up. The riots are unfortuantely taking place in Kenya & not in Nigeria as stated. Whilst I agree that Obama's sucess in Iowa is a welcome development, I personally still believe that Hillary Clinton would be still nominated at the end of the day.

Gbemi, Lagos, Nigeria

The recent post-electoral rioting was in Kenya, as far as the rest of the world was concerned, so where Mr Edward B Ryder IV from Greenlawn, NY/USA got his facts from is a bit puzzling. Nigerian elections were at least 9 months ago and counting.

As regards Mr ' You Rock' Barack Obama , it's all early days yet. One needs to see a few more of these caucuses come in. Nothings in the bag yet. It would be interesting to know who he'll nominate to run as Vice President if Mr Obama actually gains the democratic nomination.

Watch this space!

Santino, London, England

Edward, the recent African election was in Kenya, not Nigeria.

Muyiwa, London,

Mr Ryder's contribution from New York unwittingly summarises the polemic: you say Nigeria, I say Kenya (surely Mr Obama's ancestry counts for something?).
In the land of the blind (ignorant)........

Andrew Pearson, Kingston, Jamaica

When Americans shall stop using such a primitive, an archaic and orchestrated way to nominate the future American president? States with population less than any major cities (a bunch of people, regarding the scale of the country- 300 million ) to have too much say. Just stopped!!!! Everyone knows that Obama is better target for republicans than Clinton, and if he gets the democrats nomination definitely he will lose.

yanko, stgallen, switzerland

Could there really be a creationist President? Just when we thought America couldn't vote for stupid again...

Trevor, Cambridge, UK

It was a good day for American politics, in a week that saw Nigeria's recent presidential election descend into an abyss of rioting, and South Africa's impending trial of Mr. Zuma foretelling discord for their next presidential election in South Africa. After almost 8 years of lies, distortions, hubris and imcompetent arrogance masquerading as US policy under the Bush administration, any candidate untainted by affiliation with the failure known as the presidency of George W Bush was sure to capture the attention of the Iowa electorate.

Edward B Ryder IV, Greenlawn, NY/USA

My two hopes are john McCain & Obama. They may stand for different things, but they are I believe the best chance of each of their respective parties.

May this be good luck for both of them!

Samantha, London, USA

Robert Miller - Giuliani is still (just) the national GOP front runner, so warrants a mention. And Ron Paul gets a mention later in the same paragraph.

But I bet you've been told that a lot already.

Tim, London,

The victory of Obama is truly well deserved, but the defeat for Clinton stems, not from her policies or personality, but from her image that she is part of the old Establishment which Bush's presidency has tainted beyond description. If she is to regain the momentum, she needs to put as much clear water between the "Establishment " and herself as possible. Bush et al has almost single handedly destroyed a fine Nation. All this talk of a seamless transition from Bush to Clinton is bad news, the people don't want "seamless" anything, they want serious change and the renewal of a failed administration.
Unless she can break the connection with the old, she will be a lame duck and Obama will storm into Washington, like a breath of fresh air.

Bruce Robinson, Plymouth, UK

Jerry...Bill Clinton IS god!

This coming from a state that 70% think bush is doing a good job...

No more needs to be said...

Clinton, US,

barack, hillary, and john edwards are all outstanding candidates. huckabee, the republican, sounds like a liberal democrat. there are big changes coming in the usa. it is bush and his cohorts who have poisoned the well.

terry, columbia, missouri, usa

Obamania...all the way

Kevin, Seattle, US/Washington

'please god' is unconstitutional

Peter, Shanghai,

all in all - too early to tell. this reminds me of 1928.

Denis, seattle, USA

You've got to wonder how the two front runners winning can be referred to as a "shock result".

J Curayat, London, UK

Let me see, Mike Huckabee is an ayatollah, Hilary Clinton a desperate White-houseâ€™s wife... but who is Obama? I know he may have a family link with Dick Chaneyâ€™s wife, and he used to be

macklondon, Harrow/London, UK

Why do you mention Rudy Guiliani at 4% of the vote and not mention Dr. Ron Paul at 10% of the vote?

I bet that you have been asked that alot already.

Robert Miller, Halifax, NS, Canada

Goodbye Clintons please God

Jerry, seattle , usa

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Britain's still paying a heavy price for misjudgments in the inter-war years

Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee blow race wide open with Iowa victories