Great night last night (and early this morning)! It is days like this that you want to jump out of bed at 6a to watch 'Morning Joe'.
Not all of the Republican precincts are in yet for Iowa (they are stuck at 97%), but unless McCain gets a nice bump from the remaining votes, he is still going to fall short of surpassing Thompson for third.
Everything happened pretty close to the way I thought it would break, although I was surprised at the distance between first and second for both parties. Clinton finished (a close) third, and it looks like anything less than a win in New Hampshire will make Super Tuesday her firewall (sound familiar Rudy supporters?).
You should have all seen the headlines by now praising Obama and Huckabee on their monumental wins. Watching the concession (if you can call them that) and victory speeches last night, it was striking how well the two winners communicate. Huckabee has a low-key way of speaking, but it is very poetic. Obama's speech, on the other hand, was soaring and inspirational. I was extremely impressed with the way he gradually built the emotion, and by the end of his remarks, the assembled supporters were cheering madly.
I watched Tim Russert on MSNBC talking about how he went to a rally at an Iowa high school earlier that day, and Obama had brought in old and young, black and white, every segment of society, and that some people were moved to tears because of the power of his words advocating change. After what I saw last night, I can see how Obama has touched upon a theme that may very well carry him to the nomination.
When you look at the turnout and interest that the Democrats generated across the state, and you have to believe that the state will be blue this November. Whomever the Democratic nominee, they should be well received in Iowa when the general election rolls around.
But first, there is a little matter of the rest of the primaries and caucuses. Plus, a few more debates, where the fields will be narrowed (no Biden, Gravel, Kucinich or Gravel), and the attacks are going to ramp up (McCain v Romney and Clinton v Obama v Edwards should keep your interest).
Tomorrow, ABC is hosting two debates from New Hampshire. Starting at 7p, the Democrats and Republicans will be debating back-to-back in Manchester. On Sunday, the Republicans have an additional forum at St. Anselm College.
Also, in what has been overlooked by everyone, the Wyoming Republicans are holding their caucus tomorrow. Since there hasn't been any polling since September, no one is sure what to expect. Ron Paul has bought some newspaper advertising out there, and Duncan Hunter has visited the region (as well as Romney and Thompson), but it is wide open. My guess would be Romney, but who knows.
Looking ahead to New Hampshire, did yesterday's results change the numbers at all; did the Iowa winners get a bounce? It is too early to tell, but for reference, this is what the most recent poll from NH looked like for the Democrats
- Clinton - 37%
- Obama - 25%
- Edwards - 15%
and Republicans
- Rommey - 29%
- McCain - 25%
- Huckabee - 13%
- Giuliani - 9%
Tune in tomorrow for coverage of the two debates and to see who won in Wyoming - that should be a cliffhanger. In the meantime, take the latest poll (located at your right), and drop a comment. To get you started, was Oprah the real star of Iowa? Discuss.
Democracy - it's FANtastic! :-)
-RSKnopfJr
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