IT'S HUCKABEE & OBAMA IN IOWA!

by Steve Fair

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has won the Iowa caucuses on the GOP side with 34% of the vote. Former Massachussetts Governor Mitt Romney captured 25% with Fred Thompson and John McCain at 14% each. Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani did not campaign in Iowa so he could focus on New Hampshire.

On the Democratic side, Senator Barrack Obama won with 37% of the vote, John Edward had 30% and Senator Hillary Clinton wound up a disappointing third with 29%. Bill Richardson at 2%. Senator Chris Dodd's poor showing forced him to drop out of the race. The Democrats had a record turnout and word is the "D"s were more fired up than the "R"s.

In a Focus group on Fox, Huckabee won because HE SEEMED LIKE A REAL GUY AND CONNECTS WITH PEOPLE! Obama won the youth vote and WOMEN. Hillary spun her third place finish by saying, "we are going to reclaim this country for our children." "I am so ready for the rest of this campaign and I AM SO READY TO LEAD!"

Huckabee's victory speech was delivered with ease, class and a gracious spirit. Speaking with the skill of a trained orator, Huckabee showed why he won. In typical Baptist preacher style, he had three points and a poem. Huckabee outlined three reasons why he won. (1) PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PURSE. Outspent by Romney 15 to 1, Huckabee did a great job of connecting with people. The Governor said, "We raised the most hopes and dreams of people and not who raised the most money." (2) AMERICANS WANT A CHANGE. The average American is displeased with Congress and the current leadership of government. (3) THIS ELECTION IS NOT ABOUT ME, BUT ABOUT WE. Huckabee said, "Elected officials should have a servant's spirit. And the "poem" was a quote from G.K. Chesterson who said, "A solider does not fight because he hates those in front of him, but because he loves those behind him.

Huckabee said "This is a new day in American politics." "It starts in Iowa and ends one year from now at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

At 10:10pm, Barrack Obama began his victory speech with the cadence of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. Speaking in sound bites and invoking civil rights illustrations , Obama worked his supporters into a zealous high. Frequently interrupted with applause, Barrack said, "we are one nation, one people and now change has come." "We must move past the bitterness, and pettiness and build coalitions for change that runs through red states and blue states." Obviously looking toward New Hampshire, Obama mentioned the state three times in his Iowa speech. "I will make health care affordable- ends tax breaks for companies that manufacture overseas- harness the knowledge of scientist and farmers to develop alternative fuels- - end the Iraq war and bring home the troops. Obama said, "you didn't do this for me, but you believed that people who love this country can change it. " Obama was the first African American to win a caucus election in America,