The Race Begins

Jan 04, 04:32 PM

By winning, Republican Mike Huckabee proved his campaign had not peaked too early while Democrat Barack Obama turned Hillary Clinton's presumed coronation into a real horse race.

Iowa Caucus participants don't cast individual ballots, they show who they prefer. Just as important, they reveal who they don't.

For Democrats Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden and Bill Richardson, the party appears to be ending just as it was getting under way. Among Republicans, only Duncan Hunter appears to be out.

On the Republican side are Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson and John McCain. On the Democratic side, it's Obama, John Edwards and Clinton.

That's the gist of the caucus system. Party members and independents meet, discuss the issues, then form preference groups. County, district and state conventions eventually winnow the field of delegates who then attend their party's respective national conventions.

Clearly Huckabee and Obama have created some momentum in Iowa, as did Edwards. And McCain's rise would seem to bode well for the Arizona senator, who is leading or tied in New Hampshire, according to most polls. Eight years ago, McCain defeated then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in the New Hampshire primary.

As expected, Huckabee was the overwhelming choice of caucus- goers who described themselves as evangelical or born-again Christians. According to entrance polls, however, he also won every Republican age-group - from the 17-to-24 age group through the 65- and-over age group.

While he is not expected to do well in New Hampshire, his Iowa win likely will give him a boost when the primary season swings into South Carolina at month's end.

Obama portrayed himself as an agent for change, and that attracted a record number of younger voters. According to entrance polls, Obama did quite well not only among Democrats but also among Republicans and independents.

His victory takes some of the wind out of Hillary Clinton's sails. Only a month ago, she was the party's presumptive nominee. Having finished behind Obama and Edwards in Iowa, she now must decide whether to continue to run as the experienced candidate or to change her campaign.

Edwards did best among baby boomers and attracted a sizable number of Republicans and independents. He ran third, however, among Democrats.

Iowa is, of course, just the first stop on the presidential campaign trail. But with 23 states holding caucuses or primaries on Feb. 5, Iowa's importance has grown.

How much remains to be seen.

Originally published by Intelligencer Journal Staff.

(c) 2008 Intelligencer Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved. The Race Begins
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