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In analyzing the statistics as to the age discrimination statement. I believe that younger people are thinking of their future and who can best straighten out the mess the current administration has put us into; and especially the younger generations into. They are the ones who are going to have to bail the US out of debt; as it will take many years to overcome the astronomical debt Bush and company has created to support his war ambitions. The older generations are less interested in change, as they are more comfortable with "the status quo". It's no surprise that they would want someone more familiar with Washington to be their candidate of choice. Putting their votes into the hands of someone "viewed" as less experienced is more uncomfortable to older folks. I do use the word viewed loosely; as I don't agree that Clinton has more experience, but I do believe she has managed to convince some that electing her would give us experience and get us back to the glory days and economy of the Clinton years. It's really too bad that people don't understand economics. Our country is headed towards a recession larger than what we experienced in the 80s. The next president will not have the glory days of the Clinton years to bask in. They are going to need to find a way to work together for the good of all of the population. I don't believe that Clinton is capable of bringing us all together.

Some vote for religious reasons, others vote for a strong welfare state because they do not want to earn it for themselves or belive in socialism like the liberal elite, while others vote for fiscal reponsibility by picking the lesser of two evil spenders. Myself, my criteria is a strong defense /national security and after 20 years in the US Navy I know about the Post Viet Nam Era Democrats that run the Party and the Congress and they may "Talk the Talk, but they do no Walk the Walk" when it comes to a strong defense. Since the dems would never nominate a true moderate like former La. Senator John Breau they will have a hard time getting my vote.

The only time jesus prayed in public was during his execution, he did not want religion to be used as a tool. Jesus knew that men would misuse his teachings, that is hy he always urged people to pray in private. He did not want his religion spoiled by the government.

Republicans, specialy the ones that USE (yes USE, MISUSE and ABUSE) God, turn my stomach.

Be careful what you wish for, religion should stay OUT of the government, not because the religion would destroy the government, but because the government would destroy religion.

By the way, if you think Jesus would approve these new neo-christian mega-churches, think again, Jesus preached in the open, out in the fields, in his dusty robes, not in thousand dollar suits, multi-million dollar houses, and private jets. He threw those people out of the Temple.

All of the presidential candidates have no experience in foreign policy. No hands-on, no- on-the-job training knowledge to deal with the fact that the world is running out of oil and 60% of our imported oil comes from the Middle East. The fact that we are in Iraq and the Middle East to secure our supply of oil, to keep the wheels of our capitalistic industry turning. Wake-up Americans, and elect our next president who has lived in the Middle East for at least ten plus years, a candidate with experience and knowledge from the world to govern the world. Who is this person? Where do we find him? Definitely not the present candidates. The American people should manage their own destiny by advertising on the web and newspapers for the candidate with 10 – 25 years of experience in the Middle East. Otherwise, the United States is pursuing the same destiny as the illiterate failed Roman Empire, destruction from within. Do we repeat history and become one of the failed Empires?

Not 'generational' vs 'religious' vote.

Merely a response to two things.

1. America is gripped in a 'throw the bums out' mentality.

2. Americans of all stripes are gripped with a need to be lead by a person living a solid moral life with keen desire to improve the lot of the folks.

Both Huckabee and Obama go a long way to satisfying these to mainstream needs.

America has a chance to experience one of the finest, closest races to the White House in decades if the race comes down to these two. If Hillary, Edwards, Romney, Giuliani get into the picture the race will get downrigtht nasty. (The nastiest with Hilliary, as she is a truly nasty, win at all costs lady).

Why is it that dems have no religous values??

For the Republican side, one of the lessons that I can see is that Romney's connection to the Latter Day Saints Church (Mormons) can be a turn off to some people. If Romney is to earn the votes of those people, something more substantial needs to be done to convince them. He will do better in New Hampshire if McCain doesn't wipe Romney out. People may have voted for Huckabee because they could relate to the commonality of religious views; for some people, that is the only way they look at things with religious/Christian glasses.

Democrat side, things are a little bit different to me; organization in getting people out to caucus. This is something that needs to be learned and completed by the campaign of the nominee. No matter who it is, the nominee needs to get people to the polls. Clinton might come across as not friendly enough no matter what she does.

agree that Iowa made a mistake. Huckleberry should be scrutinized a bit more now. he is such a weak candidate. not well educated compared to the others, his aw-shucks demeanor is ridiculous, and policy wise, he's terrible. I may consider myself religious but no way would I consider him. he's bigoted and just doesn't get the seperation of church and state. I love God and all, but the constitution should be revered a little more than it has been lately. and Huckleberry is just not presidential material.

Huckabee wants to tell me what I can and can't do with my body, and who you should be free to love, and what you should do in your bedroom. He also wants to make sure that my children don't learn how the world was made, and that if they have a genetic disease, they will surely die from it instead of benefiting from stem cell research. He can go straight to the hell he is so fearful of, as far as I am concerned.

Iowa the same place Pat Robertson won. Hopefully soon there will be intelligent people voting who will look at issues. And lets talk about values, Huck ways he is honest and said people responded to his positive campaign. Positive is calling your opponent dishonest, having your campaign guru say he wants to knock out his teeth, your facelifted b-list celebrity say he wants to choke your opponent. Values like attacking the religion of Romney and Brownback. Values like having more ethical violations in Arkansas than Clinton. A flat tax that will make the poor people pay almost a dollar more a gallon for both milk and gasoine.

Evangelicals thought they were voting for a 'pastor-in-chief' rather than for a President. The events in IA come off as quite sad in describing how bigoted the American public can be on matters of religion. But TIME magazine posing the question: "Romney on the Ropes?" is laughable. Huckabee doesn't have the evangelical base in NH he did in IA. Romney finished 2nd with twice as many votes as McCain. Romney on the ropes? That makes no sense at all. The man is better poised than any of the other candidates to go on and win it all.

Oregon, It looks like a lot of people support a candidate who looks for God's perfect guidance rather than man's flawed guidance. I say that is just what this country needs.

... Mike didn't even realize the writer's strike wasn't over when he appeared on Leno ... he may get the nod from God in Iowa but its a big, wide world out there – lots and lots of people who don't believe that the earth is only 6,000 years old, that women should graciously submit to the husbands, that saying you aren't doing a negative ad, then showing it to the Press and running it on at least 3 Iowa stations is ethical and who are afraid that you will impose your "holier than thou" way of life on the rest of us. By the way – middle class people will not benefit from your 23% flat tax – no matter how many pie charts you hold up.

If Mike thinks Mitt was "going negative" by asking the tough questions on immigration, pardons, and raising taxes, you haven't seen anything yet!

To the other Mike –

Maybe the younger voters are supporting someone who isn't part of the older generation of politicians for reasons other than lack of experience. Just a thought but the past two generations of politicians have done a wonderful job of making my future more difficult in order to pay for their generations mistakes and excesses. Is Obama the candidate that can start to attempt to fix the mess that has been left for my generation? I honestly don't know if I believe that, but I sure as hell know Clinton isn't the solution.

To Buddy Vail –

Trolls belong under bridges and in dark places, not in forums where people are at least trying to understand issues. Just an observation, but what you read in random emails from people isn't always true.

For Mike: Yes, it's the youngest voters that are getting killed in Iraq to please and enrich an older President and his cronies. Another reason they relate with your 'inexperienced' candidate maybe.

keep an eye on the delegate count. Let see what Wyoming will do for mitt.

I sincerely believe that my generation will take over politics during this election cycle. It is our time, and our fight, and our future.

Also, may I REMIND everyone that out of the top three democrats, Barack Obama has been an elected official for the longest amount of time. The "experience" argument is complete nonsense.

Let's celebrate the maturity the U.S. displayed in Iowa. Once again, the pundits, (not "pundints" that I hear the commentators repeatedly saying!) have underestimated reason and moderation as points of view. The fringe is called that for a reason; they're out there on the fringe!

Congratulations to us, all, that we may be heading toward a progressive, hopeful future rather than more of a frightening status quo.

Listen to the people, really listen. Just like the professional salesperson learns, that when you listen, the people will tell you what they want.

You can lose Iowa and still become President. You can also win Iowa and not become President. I appreciate that Huckabee won after being outspent, but I don't see Huckabee lasting very long. McCain or Rudy will come in now and first push out Mitt and then Huckabee. I think Mitt had a chance until he turned negative with his ads which is too bad. I now view him as being cast in the same mold as Hillary.

I agree with Oregon that religion has become the primary factor while casting votes. This is extremely disturbing. I am Christian but I believe our country is made up of many kinds of religion, races . . . Race and religion should not be the basis for electing our president. Issues concerning our country should be.

eh? i guess young people don't vote right?

2004 Dem Caucus: 5% under 30

2008 Dem Caucus: 22% under 30
2008 Repub Caucus: 15% under 30

I thought the vote in Iowa means they want civility in political discourse, not attacks.

Funny thing about experience, we had some of the most 'inside the beltway'
experienced individuals (Rumsfeld, Cheney et al) working away for us the past 8 years along with an experienced state governor and look at all the good things
all that experience did for us… I'm with the youngsters

Yeah Mike,

And what age were the majority of voters that put Bush in office....TWICE?

Wow, way to go Iowa! How in the world did Iowa get a reputation for really analyzing the candidates and picking the best ones. While the democrats demestrated tonight that the wouldn't use predjudice in selecting a candidate, the white "mormon fearing" republicans have chosen a candidate that probably has no positive thing about him when it comes to policy. Only that he is of a familiar religion. It is good to see that Bigotry is alive and well in the heart of america. I sure hope we never give iowa this attention or respect again. They ruined everything tonight. You blew it.

Dennis R. Petty: Please Denny try easing up on the drugs before posting yourself into a heart attack. It will all look better in the morning. And trust me Den, the sky isn't going to fall just yet.

I agree with Rafi and Oregon, this is NOT about religion! It's about putting the best qualified person in office and again that is NOT supposed to be based on religious beliefs. Wake up people please. I don't want another 4 years of being discrimanated against, taxed beyond belief and treated like I'm a second class citizen (theres alot more but I don't think I could fit it all in). Not to mention that I'm really getting tired of having my constitutional rights slowly whittled away. Look what religion has gotten us the last 8 years, corruption, war, fear, hate, bigotry, scandles(we won't even go there), an economy that is quickly going in the toilet and the "Great religious man" you people put into office is the laughing stock of the freaking world (and for good reason, ever watch him give a speach!).
And I'm sorry but if anyone in this country really believes that putting another "man of God" in office is going to fix the problems in this country then you seriously need to be medicated.
I have nothing against religion or religious persons but I do have something against someone who uses God and religion to win a popularity contest (and that's what this is turning into).
So come on people don't vote for someone because of religion vote for them because they can get the job done.

Another Schneider "deep thought"

I consider myself a Bible-believing, born-again, conservative Christian, but I can assure I will NOT be voting for Huckabee, or another Republican for that matter. I noticed in Blitzer's stats tonight, he pretty much suggested all Evangelicals represent an automatic vote for Huckabee. Though that may be a solid generalization for voters about 40 yrs. old and up, I think we will see a shift in reasoning amongst younger, Christian voters. Consider the popularity of Bono, Christian authors Donald Miller and Gregory Boyd. Their powerful contributions, conversely compared to the failures of Christian leaders Ted Haggard and George W. Bush, and perhaps even the death of Jerry Fallwell, have had a significant impact on Christians in my generation, as well as those behind me. Perhaps I am too self-consumed to think other Christians between 18 – 39 will surprise the polls, but time will tell I suppose. As for me, I love Jesus with all my heart, and it is for that reason that I have become a strong supporter of the separation and church and state....and hope other Christians will follow suit.

The same youngest voters voted Kennedy over Nixon. Now Kennedy is a National Hero. Now Nixon is a National disgrace. If you want experience, I'll give you Dick Cheney and Rumsfeld. Some idiocy has no limit.

Im writing in Jerry Brown!!!!!

It's interesting that the youngest voters supported the most inexperienced candidate. They can relate.

"Huckabee won 56 percent of those who said religious values matter a great deal. That number drops to 30 percent who say religion somewhat matters, 15 percent who say religion doesn't matter much, and only 5 percent among those who say religion does not matter at all."

That's really disturbing. I agree with Rafi. Why are we letting religion become the primary factor while casting ballots? American people and the media need to focus more on who is the most qualified candidate and less on where they go Sunday mornings.

Fascism will come in the form of a cross wrapped in the flag. Everyone, I give you Mike Huckabee, Fascist 2008!!!! This country is so stupid...

I love the fact that Romney joined the party of bigots and he just wasn't quite the right shade of white/christian and ended up getting stabbed in the back for it. If Romney was a democrat do you think he would have lost because he is Mormon? Don't think so...

Hey, maybe Oprah endorsed Muslim's can fight global warming for us...or should I say the former US. Our society is much like the fallen Roman society where the "if it feels good, do it" mentality was prominent. I used to vote for the lesser of the evils and not much by affiliation. Now, I don't have a plan...

Yeah, because voting on religion really worked well the last two times.

Huckabee? They might just as well have chosen Pat Robertson. The idea that Huckabee has a chance of mounting a genuinely viable national campaign is pure fantasy. The man displays a knowledge of issues and problems that is not very much beyond the intellectual capacity of a common house plant. I am pleased that the Iowa GOP got to choose someone who can operate a church pulpit, but I am disappointed that there was so little attention paid to the subject of fiscal responsibility, useless wars and enforcement of U.S. immigration law, as well as the slow destruction of our economy. As things stand now, given the results of the evening, we're looking at the makings of another lesser-of-two-evils choice.

Interesting that those who said religion didn't matter much voted for Romney. This is what will bring division for Republicans: Bush brought in the religious right and big oil/ big business, but now those groups are separated. Bush's base is with Romney, but while it seems Huckabee has the religious right, the traditional Religious Right leaders: Dobson, Robertson (McCain), Hagee, etc. have yet to endorse him. The religious right is splintered, as abortion and gay marriage are no longer the only issues evangelicals dicsuss. The old cronies don't have the power, and Republicans know Huckabee can't raise any money. Diversity and individual thinking are not what they're used to- and look at the splintering.

This is not about religion. I have already fought that battle. It is about what we all need to do together to survive! Just check me out. Trust me!

Mitt, hang in there. The rest of the world sees Huckabee for what he is and there are fewer radical evangelicals in most other areas of the country. He will be nothing by November.

I have been trying for an hour to try and find one website that will give me the chance to voice my opinion on anything. No such luck!!!! The US is doomed. Give me one candidate who can get his political contribibutors out of his ass long enough to get what is really important to US Foreign policy, the USA, or lining his pockets with kickbacks to get to the real issues that will bring our country and our world back to where we need to be heading????????????????? Please!!!! The destruction of humanity is at hand!!!!

I wish one of these articles would address fiscal responsibility. The Republicans have been spending like Democrats. The Democrat response seems to be if elected will can spend even more.

Huckabee? Not really.

Thanks Iowa for a bonehead choice. You must be the same people making "Snoop Dogg – Fatherhood" a hit on MTV! I know there are people out there like you, I just don't know any personally!