Folks, what record does Obama have to back up this big talk about "change?" He gave a good speech at the Democratic convention in 2004, then became the US senator by default and is now wanting to become the president? He is a good orator and is charismatic but that doesn't qualify him to become the president. Wake up, folks.

We need to save this country from falling into the hands of Obama.

I never thought in my lifetime i would ever see what i saw tonite, but to my surprise, i found a candidate that moved me!!! I think if he(OBAMA) makes it to office, he has the charisma and the drive so we can finally have bi-partisan agreement to get @#$% done!!!! We need a president that finally walks the walk without the smoke. The train has left the station for Obama and the tracks flow downhill. I think I'll buy a ticket, and get on when he comes to Michigan. I think all democratic Americans should do the same if you TRULY want change!!

Oscar,

So what if I haven't heard of Obama before recent memory? I didn't know who Kerry really was unitl he got the nomination either; I had no idea whatsoever who BILL CLINTON was until he campaigned for the nomination. At least I knew who Obama was before he was even a U.S. Senator.

And the reasons you stated (Hope and change) are the reasons he's got support. Yes we have heard his message before, but this is the first time many believe it is more than a politician using power words to win your vote. No one's buying anything, it's being given away for free.
'
You see, the great thing about this country is it's a Democracy. So for the love of God, let people believe again in this country and this process again.

who will be the democratic candidate? My opinion is you really can't tell after the Iowa caucus because the LOW turnout of voters for the democratic party compared to the republican party. My pick is still Barack Obama for Democrats and Ron Paul for Republicans. Its gonna get exciting.

It's time for Hillary and her generation to pass the torch.

The younger generation doesn't see race in the same way that hers does.

Oscar wrote: " Why are you buying this! We all have heard this message of change and hope before."

Yes we did, back in 1992, when a dem was elected president on that very theme and re-elected because the changes actually happened.

Without Hillary as the guaranteed nominee to rally the GOP stay-at-home crowd and with the dems turning out caucus goers 2 to 1over the republicans, and with Obama, an African American winning .in state with a 96% white population in a RED state…and doing so with the support of the majority of women and the greatest share of independants.

Obama had a good night. He owns the change issue and the people are all over it. Republicans are in big big trouble.

don't count your chicken before they hatch. That is all I have to say. Bunch idiots voted from Iowa doesn't mean they represent entire US.

Don't for one moment believe that all Iowa independent voters jumped on the Obama bandwagon - this one, among many, declared for the first time a party preference and took part in the Republican caucus.
Don't associate "independent" with "democrat".
You will lose.

Obama can not be stopped. This is history and America is back.

My fellower friends, brothers, sisters and country men
Judge Obama by his educational knowledge, and not by the color of his skin. We are ready for a change in America and in the whole World. Any young generation white, black hispanics Chinese who can speak and people listen, and learn is the future example to America. Do not under estimate people.

No question asked, Obama will win.

"Independents," eh? Really?
Say there, "independents…" who was the last Conservative you voted for? Can't really call yourself independent if you never have, nor ever intend to, vote for a Conservative once in while.

Oh my goodness. Wake up America! Reading some of these I am going to now vote Democrat because Obama inspires me is ridiculous. Did any of you even know this person existed a couple of years ago, even last year. All of a sudden he is the person of change. Why are you buying this! We all have heard this message of change and hope before.

Why is it different now. Please look past Obama's charisma and excellent public speaking skills and quit being sold.

I always thought my vote was a simple decision for me. I have always registered Ind. but have voted Democratic. Ever since Hillary announced her candidacy I thought she was who I would vote for, mainly because of the '2 for 1′ deal, having Bill as part of the package. Trouble is, now that I've seen her campaigning she is really turning me off and I find her to be almost unlikeable and quite frankly, she is embellishing on her credentials and experience. I am now leaning towards the Obama bandwagon. Who knew!!

Obama could be a great leader. Edwards I think has a better shot with independents nationwide. Hillary I think is the worst one of all, unless she winds up vs. Huckabee or Romney and either makes a fool of himself. The percentage of young voters really were overwhelmingly for Obama. That concerns me, because these kids never bother to vote in November, and I don't they will this time either. Edwards appeal to the middle aged is more of a key. IMO, the strongest centrist candidates are Edwards and John McCain, but I don't think either will get the nom. Giuliani should have run as a Dem, he might have won. As for Barack's chances in Nov, hard to tell, because thanks to Republican gerrymandering and that idiotic Electoral College, its blue vs. red. Even if Obama wins the Gore/Kerry states, he would need to sway a Red state like Ohio or Florida over to win. Given the shenanigans in those states, don't know if he can do it. Unless the Republicans nominate Ron Paul, he'll have my vote.

Yes, America is ready to roll the dice. We rolled the dice with Jack Kennedy and Bill Clinton and now Barak Obama. The difference is that Obama is more Kennedy like that Clinton and has the moral turpetude which Clinton lacked. He is a fresh face with fresh ideas and now it is a time for change. This is indeed a Watershed moment in American Politics. The recycled policies and traditions of the Clinton and yes, even John Edwards have long served their use. This election is about the next 20 years not the next 4. Nothwithstanding how Hillary has done in Iowa, she needs to go home.
I anticipate that after she loses the nomination, she and Bill will seperate or devoice.
It has long since been a marriage of convience. There would be a tremendous amount of political baggage had she gone into this race as a devoicee or a seperated woman. Lets get on to New Hampshire and then, wow, South Carolina.

Never forget that David slew the giant!

On to the White House, President Obama! I will be there to see you sworn in. God bless America!

The general concensus has always been that no Democrat can win in a "red" state — in fact, that sentiment has been expressed a couple times already on this message board.

However, that sentiment neglects the fact that several southern "red" states (South Carolina among them) have large African-American populations. The majority of African-Americans consider themselves to be Democrats, however voter turnout among this group of people tends to be lower than among other groups, partially because they tend to be poor and voting is more difficult to accomplish logistically for poor people than it is for the rich and middle class, and partially because they frequently feel taken for granted by the Democratic leadership.

As a result of the above, if Obama succeeds in winning the nomination, he has a very good chance of winning at least at least one traditionally "red" southern state.

Lourdes, get the facts! Senator Obama just DID win in a RED state!! He won in a 97% white state! The Senator should be judged, as Iowa Democrats (and independents + some enlightened Republicans) did on the basis of his qualifications…his on-the-ground experience as a community organizer…his leadership in working across party lines to pass critical legislation in Illinois and even during his first years as U. S. Senator.

Obama will be the next President of the United States. When voting for a President Americans vote for someone they can trust, someone who holds their values. They did so for Bush in 2000 & 2004. At the Presidential level, smarts don't count for a hill of beans, think Gore & Kerry who have them and lost, and Bush who doesn't and won, twice! Fortunately for Democrats who lean independent Barrack is trustworthy, smart and a guy who is very likable. We know what he stands for. He has been the same person since he ran for and won at the Harvard Law Review. He will win Red states because he can speak to both sides of the isle. He doesn't even have to win NH to stay in the lead, a strong second will do the trick. With Edwards & Richardson supporters moving toward Obama he just might do it. On to New Hampshire!

If you still don't understand why or think that it is some kind of a republican conspiracy, as if everyone who was ever registered republican is in on a secret rovian plot to take down clinton…let me tell you about myself.

I served in the Army for several years, also serving in Iraq. I voted for McCain in 2000. I didn't vote in the 2000 general election because I didn't care for Bush or Gore. I was very disappointed in the fear mongering and incompetence of Bush. However, I didn't vote in 2004, because Kerry was just as bad to me.
Obama is the FIRST candidate since that has inspired me to vote again. I've looked at his record of service, his accomplishments, and his history. I've read his books and learned what kind of person he is, how he views things, and have a good idea of what kind of president he will be… That is why I have registered Democrat for 08.

I am a former Republican, turned Ind, voting Obama.

I am an Independent… i would be Republican if they could give me a leader (not Bush) I could support. I would vote for Ron Paul, perhaps McCain… but no one else running on the Republican ticket.

If Obama wins, I may vote Democrat for the first time since I was eligible in 1992.

Do the Dems have a viable candidate who can carry the country in Nov or is there a "white knight" in the wings i.e., Gore?

If Iowans can overlook Obama's race and identify him as the sharpest candidate, then that bodes well for him in a national elections.

And Lourdes, no Democrat is going to win a diehard "Red State," Black or othewise.

Obama will win a red state, because he appeals to the independent voter. That is why he is the one that is the best choice. The racists will vote Republican no matter who is the nominee, and the independents really like Obama and despise Clinton. I hear it all the time here in Nevada from Non-partisans: I like Obama but I don't like Hillary.

NH isn't a lock for Obama. With McCain getting 3rd place, he'll end up getting a good amount of those independent votes.

Thank you, Independents!

It's also a good thing that he did just as well as Hillary did amongst Democrats. Obama 'beat Clinton amongst democrats, 32% to 31%. People initially predicted that Hillary would beat him amongst democrats, but that's not the case.

So. Obama can do just as well among democrats and he cleans up amongst independents. This is great.

With this loss, Edwards supporters will start peeling off and move to Obama. Most of those Edwards supporters aren't going to Clinton. Hillary is in trouble.

See, that's the type of talk that was going on 3-6 months ago regarding his ability to win the primaries and caucuses. Yet, look what has happened.

Democrats are doomed. They are framing Obama's victory in a black/white paradigm that has, in the past, only served to evoke ethnic loyalty.

Obama will never win a "Red" state, especially in rural states, as a "Black" candidate. Media reporters and Obama supporters alike need to be aware of the subtle message that comes from their "victory" for African Americans.