The results are in… In the first step of America’s presidential selection process in 2008, two candidates have turned their unlikely stories into meaningful victories: Barack Obama, the Democratic winner, and Mike Huckabee, the Republican.
Obama has been a favorite of the media for months, but his victory over Hillary Clinton seems partly to be a result of a massive increase in turn-out in Iowa (nearly double that of 2004), especially by young voters. Four in ten first-time voters (among the Democrats) apparently favored him. Obama claimed 37.6% of the vote, to Clinton’s 29.5%. She even trailed John Edwards, who drew 29.8% support. Obama also did well by scooping a large chunk of independents, and a small number of Republicans who came to the Democratic caucus to vote for him. He even beat her among women. Clinton will say that she nearly tied him among real Democrats, but Obama’s campaign will sensibly retort that Iowa proved the crossover appeal needed to win a general election. Change was the theme of the night, and Iowans who want it strongly preferred Obama.
Obama’s Victory Speech
Clinton’s third-place finish is deeply disappointing for her, even though she retains lots of money, strong organization and a well-recognized name and can expect to improve her performance. She has quickly turned to New Hampshire, where polls have shown her tying with (or leading) Obama, and then on to South Carolina. Edwards’s future looks cloudier, given the gap with Obama. The Democrats appear to be heading for a two-horse race, which either can win.
For the Republicans, Iowa featured a winner and loser in the state, and a winner who did not even bother to campaign there seriously, nor to show up on caucus night. Mike Huckabee’s improbable rise was confirmed with a nine-percentage-point win over Mitt Romney: Huckabee got just over 34% of the vote, Romney’s 25%, with Fred Thompson and John McCain each taking just over 13%. Rudy Giuliani, who has not bothered to campaign in Iowa, scored just 3.5% support.
Huckabee’s Victory Speech
Romney will be particularly disappointed. He had poured money, including much of his own, into the state. But Huckabee, the former Baptist preacher, appealed to evangelical Republicans, who turned against Romney’s Mormon religion and his perceived recent conversion to social conservatism. Romney called this just the first round, and promised to bounce back.
The winner who stayed away from Iowa was McCain. He came in fourth, but just a few hundred votes behind Thompson, a former senator, despite barely visiting the state. Recent newspaper endorsements and media coverage have revived the Arizona senator’s fortunes. He now looks like he can move past Romney in New Hampshire and perhaps win the state, which borders Romney’s Massachusetts.
Not everyone was a winner, though. Two Democratic senators from the Northeast — Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Joseph Biden Jr. of Delaware — became the first casualties of the Iowa caucuses. After both failed to get a single percentage point, they issued statements saying they would drop out of the race. The candidacy of Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico seemed imperiled as well; he came in fourth with only 2 percent of the delegate count.
The most exciting race in decades would not be complete without its unexpected twists, and New Hampshire offers one on Tuesday. The state’s independents may vote in either primary. Both Obama and McCain court them ambitiously. But they may only vote once; if they break for Obama’s hope and optimism, they abandon McCain to Romney. And if they break for McCain’s maverick streak, they may help the Democratic machine’s candidate, Clinton.
Obama/Edwards ’08.
Nice piece Dakar
Lisa
Saturday, January 5, 2008
OBAMA All the WAY! Listen to Obama speak, check out his web-site and read his books. The brotha is intelligent and has great ideas for the country. The so-called lack of experience some people talk about may be better than the “super ” experienced politicians who have run the country into shambles (i.e. poor housing conditions, terrible education system, IRAQ, billions being sent to Afghanistan, IRAQ, etc
**************************************************************************************************
Thank you Lisa. Dubya’s “experienced” & look at how well he’s done.
@122 JerseyBred323
Lisa spoke well, but its not just bilions…it has turned into trillions!
Hillary keeps saying she has experience; with all her experience and all the things she says she’s done, things in this country have only gotten worse. She can’t use her husband’s record because that was his record. She claims she was very involved in some of the policies and decision’s made when her husband was president. If that was the case she should have known what was up with Bill & Monica. Either way, none of these canidates now running should lay claim to their experience when this country is so screwed up right now; with all this experience you would think they would have known not to let Bush go to war and they would have solved at least some of the countries problems by now!!!!
I am voting for Obama.
But please people let me say this, do your RESEARCH and vote for the canidate who YOU believe will make a difference as president. That is so very important and I’ve noticed that some people get caught up in the hype and start to listen to “hear say” while letting the opinions of OTHERS form their decision. It’s crazy that some of you are actually bickering back and forth about each others OPINIONS. If someone wants to vote for Hilary, then that’s their choice. But in the end, I just hope everyone does their research, it is key.
Obama has charm and good looks but little else. His Health Care solution is socialism. Higher taxes for all sounds real good to me. No securing the border plan that will work. Hello??? Young people, my age group 18 -35 Wake up and vote for the best person overall. We need a strong leader who can run the government like a business. It’s OUR tax dollars they use not theirs to do with as they wish. Read the Constitution, stop listening to MSM and get the facts people BEFORE you vote for charisma and a smooth talking man or woman.
I think it will take a Godly miracle to get out of the mess we are currently.Damn near every country hates the United States or doesn’t want to have any dealings with us. I’m not saying its all Bush’s fault (though he is a problem of such degree we may never recover) because we have been burning bridges since we “discovered” these lands, but I stand with my previous statement that whoever comes after him will need God’s help and grace to fix whats completely broken.
The only way to have experience in anything is if you’ve already done it. Hillary has not been President of the United States before, therefore she can not have experience being president. Her husband was, but again, that is his record not hers.What people are saying about Barack, they said about Bill Clinton when he first ran, that he wasn’t experienced enough; by experience what people really mean is not being willing to play Washington politics(which is what I don’t want). Then you here people say that Bill Clinton was the first black president or he’s done more for blacks. He did not free us from slavery nor did he sign the bill allowing us to vote; so what has he really done? Let Bill get pulled over by police and Barak get pulled over by the police and then see who is really the black man!
126. km said: Obama has charm and good looks but little else. His Health Care solution is socialism. Higher taxes for all sounds real good to me. No securing the border plan that will work.
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With the money that Bush has wasted on his senseless war to find weapons of mass destruction and fight terroism, Omama could have funded his Health Care plan, cut taxes and gave every Mexican in Mexico $30,000 to stay in Mexico. Being President of the USA ain’t that big a deal anymore!
You never gave your definition of a strong leader. You did raise caution on voting for a smooth talker with charisma! Well, I’m glad Martin Luther King said what he had to say before you came along, because he was one of the most charismatic, smooth talkers to ever walk the face of the planet. Him and Jesus were as smooth as Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in the fourth quarter!
What’s a strong leader? I think the choice is this: You either want someone who will spend Americas money on people and the environment or you want someone with special interest like George W. Esquire Bush! Obama is ready to shift the focus back to humans…not oil and Wall Street! You don’t have to be a genius to make those decisions! If Oprah can figure it out, surely Obama can!
And, another thing…: George isn’t spending OUR tax dollars…he’s spending our great-grandchildrens tax dollars! He has spent the future of four generations. And, don’t get me started on the service men and women who are coming home disabled from the war…who will need 100% subsistance for the rest of their lives.
Developing…!
To 102 and 106 FLOACIST (Yeah right) GG BOOBOO (in his clothes.) I dont give a flying saucer what you think or who you can’t stand. If you dont like my comment press the hell on. Like I said Obama is full of ish and just because he walked around the Ghetto of Chicago don’t mean nothing to me. When you run for president you walk around all the damn ghettos in every state. IL doesn’t over rule the delegates that will get his fake behind in office. If he is all about change like he says he is, why not reach out to every state not just CHI town…Oh I forgot because that’s what a politician does when he runs for president. He’s arrogant and wants power without the playbook. Waste your vote if you want… Obama is Kenyan/whatever the heck else, with a pretty face and a tounge sweet as honey that’s why he’s getting votes from needy over 40 women. If he were the color of Denzel without the half white thing going for him, he would not have gotten the attention he’s getting. I am tired of black folks feeling that you have to be mixed with something to achieve everything. That’s the problem with our people now. He is not real and like I said does not know the real struggle of a BLACK man…that is a 100% black man. So until he walks in the shoes of a black person with skin the sun of ripe raisin, hair nappy like wool and opportunities null and void when they seek employment to feed their family…I’m not trying to hear it. He needs to sit the hell down, he’s fake I can’t stand him…NEXT Hillary 08
130. 4REALZZZZZZ said: “…He “Obama” is not real and like I said does not know the real struggle of a BLACK man…that is a 100% black man. So until he walks in the shoes of a black person with skin the sun of ripe raisin, hair nappy like wool and opportunities null and void when they seek employment to feed their family…”
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And, you think Hillary is closer to that discription? Does she know the struggle of a black man? And, has she walked in the shoes of a black person? How much are you getting paid by the Clinton campaign?
Obama can answer all those questions when he goes home at night and sees Michelle and his two daughters! Yes, he is walking in the shoes of a 100% black man, because his wife is a constant reminder! And, yes he knows how ripe the raisin is cause he’s been in it at least twice! hehe! And, from what I’ve seen from standing next to him and shaking his hand, his hair was nappier that my wool!
I don’t know what you have against Kenyans, but all the ones I’ve met are pretty cool! God! Family! Community! Government! And, what is all the talk about him having a tounge sweet as honey! They all talk ish! And, if anything, Obama is more intelect than rhetorical! If you want to hear rhetoric, go see Jesse or Al! Obama is more like the Kennedy’s…Boston exact!
Get over the “playbook” and “Danzel” $#!T! Nobody wants to hear your old 2007 ish! It’s 2008 and he took Iowa by storm! I actually think Hillary was relieved that she’s off the hook! hehe!
“Meat”
You proved my point. The MSM sheeple are evident as spounted in your talkig points.
You guys are right about Hillary’s voice, it changes to fit her audience as I saw in the youtube clip, sort of like a tamer version of Paula Deen lmfao. She’s on the war path now, especially since she got handled in Iowa, and last time I checked she was more than 10% behind Obama in NH. I think a lot more antics will come from Hillary before the race is over.
Received this in an email regarding Obama…this is what I am saying about doing research. I went to the church website.
“Barack Hussein Obama claims membership at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago
http://tucc.org/about.htm
Can you imagine the societal reaction if another church used phrases like, “White worship experience”? Or said, “We are a white people”? Or claimed to only have “ministries which address the WHITE community”? Or a “white value system”? And what’s more, would the media not spend every waking hour attacking a person running for President who was a member of such a racially exlusive church?
And since Barack is a member of that church, does he share that “non-negotiable commitment to Africa” or to the United States of America? ”
Do you know?
@132 km,
Oh, I get it! I prove your point, but you’re too ashamed to say what it is! You tried to make many points…not just one! So, which one are you talking about? Because, the MSM has nothing to do with my views!
The was has cost trillions!
4000 lives have been lost! More that 911!
Obama can do no worst than Bush or Hillary!
David only had experience leading sheep when God called him!
God can use anyone!
Bush is for special interest!
Obama could have improved health care with all the money Bush has squandered!
Obama can do the same ish that Bill Clinton did!
Bill Clinton wasn’t the savior for black people.
You can stop me when you find a point you dare defend!
Now, let me give you my MSM.
It’s Morehouse School of Medicine! Not, the Mainstream Media! What happens in Washington DC the four years ain’t gonna deter me from my goals and acheivements.
So, I don’t buy into Hillary being our best bet! You think that the Republicans will win for sure if Obama gets the Democratic vote! Well, let’s see! They already have it screwed to the hilt! Let’s party with Obama for 18 months!
OBama and Hillary will REQUIRE you to buy healthinsurcance
FEDERALLY MANDATED
YOU WILL BE PENALIZED FOR NOT HAVING HEALTHINSURANCe.
JUST LIKE CAR INSURANCE.
Hillary and obama are frauds.
KM: Who the hell cares! It is a known fact that the most segregated time of the day is Sunday morning at 11 o’clock. So he goes to a church of mostly Black people, what Black person doesn’t! Get a life, or a better life.
OBAMA 08….and I was screaming that in 06!
Received this in an email regarding Obama…this is what I am saying about doing research. I went to the church website.
“Barack Hussein Obama claims membership at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago
http://tucc.org/about.htm
Can you imagine the societal reaction if another church used phrases like, “White worship experience”? Or said, “We are a white people”? Or claimed to only have “ministries which address the WHITE community”? Or a “white value system”? And what’s more, would the media not spend every waking hour attacking a person running for President who was a member of such a racially exlusive church?
And since Barack is a member of that church, does he share that “non-negotiable commitment to Africa” or to the United States of America? ”
Do you know?
^^^^^^i presume you must be white, lol
! Since you know nothing about him….how about he worked as a community organizer straight out of college….HELPING THE SAME AVERAGE BLACK PEOPLE IN THOSE SAME GHETTOS YOU SPOKE OF!!! Please educate yourself! Tell me, where have the Clintons gone “above and beyond?” I’m not impressed by their name, they haven’t done a thing for black people and they certainly didn’t make black people better off. So instead of riding them as much as you do…why don’t you actually take it upon yourself to actually read his book, visit his website, and then learn how to form an intelligent argument! This man can bring us together b/c he understands what it’s like to be raised by a single mother, he didn’t grow up in a rich family…he has family members who represent the colors of the rainbow so he understands not just the plight of black people but of all people. Do you really think someone running for president, especially an African American can actually become elected if they only speak about their alignment with black America and how down they are for the cause? Give me a break! He has to garner support from all walks of life. Not just one group can like him! I’m so frustrated by your lack of intelligence and common. It’s people like you who prevent this country from moving forward! We need someone who can bring us ALL together. Who cares about us ALL having a better future….who is a great listener and agent of change….along with inspiring in us to do, have, and demand better!
#12 just use the back arrow and it opens back up wit no problems
J.Dakar can u do an overview of all(or most) of the candidates and what they are about
obama has great policies for a better and new change for america i personally believe that any democrate should be president as long as its not a republican they still on some bush ride or die type ish so OBAMA 08
I have been a lurker on this site for a year now – mostly for the music posts, but I have to say I’ve been impressed with the political posts. Congrats. It has folks talking, even saying crazy ish, but thanks to those of you who step up to correct. Just continue to attack the misinformation, not the person.
As for my own thoughts, well I see it like this:
Obama is going to take New Hampshire. Clinton is really going to come unglued. She alright broke down in tears today when the latest polls that she so values and studies showed that he was running 7-8% behind Obama in NH. Obama’s gonna have major momentum….right to Super Tuesday and the democratic nomination. I think he’s smart enough to realize that he can’t choose Clinton as his running mate (he’s already casting her as anti-change, so what would choosing her say about him?) I found it quite interesting that Edwards came to Obama’s defense during the debate when Clinton attacked Obama “You’re only attacking him now because he’s in the lead” was the quote if I recall correctly. Edwards has also been aligning himself to that ‘change’ message and is more believable IMO.
I see an Obama/Edwards ticket, or it’s going to be someone from outside of current politics. Someone upstream mentioned ‘Gore’ – that would be a good look for Obama. He was actually the people’s choice in 2000 winning the popular vote, but not the all important electoral college vote. He brings some tangible ‘experience’ as VP with him, and wasn’t as ‘tainted’ as some of these other folks.
I could be way off, but Obama seems to be appealing to a broad base a people on both sides of the aisle, which is what will be needed to win the actual election. More importantly, he’s appealing to the youth – I’m 34, but I’m talking 18 to 25 – and getting them to cast votes, thereby increasing the turnout (which is hurting Clinton – she doesn’t want lots of people coming out to vote because in most cases they aren’t voting for her, especially if they are young. Young folks have no allegiance to or memory of Bill Clinton, the coattails she’s trying to ride into office on.) I think NH is bracing for record turnout, just like Iowa.
I’m in Chicago and haven’t followed what Obama did on the state senate level here, but to watch what he’s doing nationally is amazing. People thought Douglas Wilder being elected governor in Virgina in 1990 was something (it was for the time), but who would have thought in their lifetime that they would see an almost exclusively white state send a message to the US that they felt a black man was the best choice to lead the United States of America?
Those of you not on the Obama train yet should be wondering after Tuesday night, “What do these white folks see and know that I don’t know?” – because New Hampshire is another predominately white state.
Even if Clinton can make a comeback, she has no shot at winning the presidency. She is a lightening rod, you either like or hate her. To win, she’d need a stronger base than that, and Obama is already exposing to the democratic party that she doesn’t have that, and he does. Besides, when Edwards drops out of the race, and he will, he’s going to endorse Obama – you can take that to the bank.
My TV will be tuned in for two things tomorrow – BET for Janet Jackson’s “Feedback” video debut on BET, and Obama’s win in New Hampshire – to see just how big it will be over Clinton.
Right now our country is a hot mess, barely any other country wants anything to do with us. We don’t need change we need someone top fix this hot mess of a country. The Clinton’s are the better choice to do that. If Dubya didn’t mess up this country so badly maybe Obama and his “fresh idea’s” would be needed but they are not. I know Hillary can be polarizing at times but she is the best person that can get us out of this mess we are in, Barack cannot.
Also I’m from New Orleans and as most of you know we have a thick accent. When I’m at work or an a social setting I change my accent to try to fit everyone else’s but once I’m with my people the “baby” and “yes indeeds” come out in force lol. If I remember correctly Hillary was in Arkansas for most of her marraige to Bill, so who are we to say she didn’t pick up some of the southern twang. The black voice thing I’m not cool with, I never heard her use it so I can’t judge, but the country accent ya’ll gotta do better than that.
Cajiva
Barack and clinton voted to continue the war
clinton and obama voted WITH george bush many times.
patriot act 2
military commisions act
homegrown terrorist act
real ID act
OBama and Clinton should not even be considered as presidential choices
OBAMA IS TOTALLY ON POINT AND HE FOR SURE HAS GOT MY VOTE!!!
Hilary doesn’t give a flipp about you, she just wants your vote and will say anything to get it!
Did you know that the reason millions of people are incarcerated for crack cocaine three- strikes -you’re -out is because clinton signed the bill making it mandatory?
What about powder cocaine? That was o.k. with the clintons because it was used in very large quantities by rich whites so the clintons obviously were on a mission to do damage to the african american community—and they did because many of these same brother are probably infected with hiv, and thus deemed damaged goods.
All hillary wants is power–she cares only about power…. I really dislike dumb azz people who can only see white when considering a presidential candidate.
Dumb azz ni**as who are used to being mistreated and still wanting some more!!
Mental illness runs deep in the black community and for sure comes in many forms.
Honestly, all I can do is shake my head at those of you who will continue to support the same ‘ole B*ll Sh*t folks who never gave a damn about you and never will.
Hillary will however say whatever she must to get in where she fits in….
Be aware of hillary because she is a bush clone in disguise!!!
O B A M A FOR P R E S I D E N T
Clinton 08′
This thread is amazing. People are criticizing Hillary for changing her accent with black people, but Obama does the same thing. People are criticizing Hillary for voting for the war, but the only reason Obama didn’t vote for it was because he was not in the Senate. He never supported the war and said he wouldn’t fund it because it was morally wrong but got to Washington and voted in favor of the funding.
Hillary has been criticized for benefitting from lobbyists but Obama has done so as well. In fact, I wonder if he would deny lobbyist are actully working for him right now.
Plus, Hillary has said that knowing what she knows now, she would not have voted for the war. She VERY wisely has not apologized because the Republicans would have raked her over the coals for being a “flip flopper” and having bad judement.
Hillary is accused of saying or doing anything to get a vote but Obama has been doing the same thing.
I pray to God this is not going to turn out to be a “Emperor has no clothes” situation with Obama.
Go Hillary 08′
MEAT
So what about B.O’s church? Who is his allegiance to? How do we really know?
Even though NH got it wrong today I still am rooting for Barack. I support him and I hope people do their HW on him and see the type of man he is and why he is the best candidate for the job! Barack Obama 08!!!
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