Obama Emerges Victorious in Iowa

Barack Obama will win the Iowa Democratic caucus and Mike Huckabee will be the Republican winner, CNN projects.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Obama had the support of 38 percent of voters, compared to 30 percent for John Edwards and 29 percent for Hillary Clinton.

“The numbers tell us this was a debate between change and experience, and change won,” said CNN political analyst Bill Schneider.

Iowa delivered fatal blows to the campaigns of Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. Both have decided to abandon their White House runs.

Bill Richardson, who finished fourth, said his campaign plans to “take the fight to New Hampshire.”

For the winners of both party’s caucuses, it’s an age revolt for Democrats versus a religious revolt for Republicans, Schneider said.

On the Democratic side, Obama took 57 percent of the under-30 vote, according to CNN’s analysis of entrance polls.

Speaking to supporters, Obama called the night a “defining moment in history.”

“You came together as Democrats, Republicans and independents to stand up and say that we are one nation, we are one people and our time for change has come.”

Huckabee’s victory can be attributed to his overwhelming support among evangelical voters and women, the polls indicate.

With 85 percent of Republican precincts reporting, Huckabee had the support of 34 percent of voters, compared to 25 percent for Mitt Romney. Fred Thompson had 14 percent, John McCain had 13 percent and Ron Paul had 10 percent.

Over 300,000 people turned out for the caucus, a record for Iowa, with the Democratic caucus goers alone enough to set a record.

As we move into New Hampshire, lets hope that Obama can continue this momentum.

- partially from CNN.com