January 4, 2008
Posted: 12:15 PM ET
ALT TEXT

(CNN)Iowa has spoken, after nearly a year of campaigning by a crowded presidential field.

In Monday’s The Best Political Podcast, Chief National Correspondent John King reports on the Iowa caucuses. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider delves into CNN’s Iowa entrance polling data and explains what caucus goers liked about Sen. Barack Obama and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

John King and Dan Lothian also look ahead to New Hampshire’s primary on January 8. Plus: the headlines percolating on the Political Ticker after the caucuses and political parting shot from I-Report cartoonist Jim Brenneman.

Click here to subscribe to The Best Political Podcast

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Filed under: Barack Obama • Best Political Podcast • Iowa • Mike Huckabee • New Hampshire • Presidential Candidates


Jr., California   January 4th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

Are you all voting for "change" or voting for a change?

TES   January 4th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

WHAT IS OBAMA RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND HIS TRUE RELIGION? IT MAKES ME FEAR A MAN THAT MAYBE A MOSLIM IN THIS DAY AND TIME OF WAR. NO ONE EVER TALKS ABOUT IT.

george   January 4th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Obama's campaign proudly announced today the endorsement of former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges who will join his campaign as a national co-chair.

Hodges is the founder of Hodges Consulting Group, a state-based lobbying firm he started in 2003. The firm is a subsidiary of Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P, a law firm that represents clients in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Though Obama has also said that he won't take federal PAC and lobbyist money on his campaign, he does take money from state based lobbyists as previously reported by First Read.

Obama, however, has justified taking money from state based lobbyists and working with them.

Hodges is, in fact, a registered federal lobbyist, a search of the Senate Office of Public Records Lobbying Disclosure Act Database shows. He registered as such on June 1, 2007.

Gavin   January 4th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Jack Cafferty part of the "Best Political Team on Television"?

PLEASE….

This man spent all last night whinning and badgering Hillary.

Regardless of who he was against, it was so biased that he does not belong on CNN….

Go to FakeNews (Fox) already, Jack. They need more squealers over there.

Errol Liverpool   January 4th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

It's a shame that after we have witnessed how Iowans voted in spite of race, that , CNN insits on playing the race card by asking if Ameica is ready for a black president. CNN is behaving like so many white controlled institutions in this country, i.e using their clout to remind white ameica that Obamma is a black candidate. You have just ;lost a loyal listener.

Ajay Jain, Dallas   January 4th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

May be just maybe now that the results are out,

Glenn Beck, the CNN commentator on "The Situation Room" and CNN analyst on Romney, the Mormon candidacy, should call it quits from CNN headline News anchor chair. The other sleazy female anchor chair from CNN headline News should be canned too before CNN becomes infamous for foul / tabloid programming.

Glenn Beck said on the CNN ticker that Huckabee will "IMPLODE" and CNN carried it for full three hours on the Ticker without posting my objecting POSTs:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/15/beck-huckabee-will-implode/

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/15/beck-huckabee-will-implode/#comments Readers labeled Glenn Beck as joker supreme!

I challenge CNN to post this post now, now that I have been vanquished through results.

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/ http://facts.hillaryhub.com/
For a little national election snapshot: http://uselectionatlas.org/2008.php

Todd Brooks   January 4th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

I'd like to know where the rest of the results are from the GOP caucus from Iowa? What is the problem with counting the remaining 5% of the precincts votes? I am very good with math if they need a patriot to do an accurate count.

Michael   January 4th, 2008 5:42 pm ET

Why would you approve a comment questioning whether Obama is a Muslim? It seems inappropriate. Although most informed voters know he is not a believer in Islam, I don't think it should matter. One of Hilary Clinton's closest aides is a Muslim. It amazes and frightens me that someone informed enough to be browsing CNN.com would confuse a war about fundamentalism with a war on a specific religion.

Ted Ziolkowski   January 4th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

LES;

I am a white 66 year old male who has always been an independent thinker. I have always voted for the person who represents my thoughts as they were when I voted. Over the years my thinking has changed significantly. I started out a Democrat then a Republican then a Democrat now I consider myself an Independent and vote for who I think can do this country the most good. I must say that I trust Barrack Obama to be an Independent person such as I am and that he will do what is best for all the People not a select few. I believe that he and only he can make significant steps to bring us long lasting peace. He is a CRISTIAN and only he has an understanding of the Muslim faith and we need that to negotiate intelligently with our enemies. I want every one to think about this one fact about Hilary: when she voted to go to war with Iraq she had a security report from the NEI that clearly stated that there were no weapons of mass distruction in Iraq. The same report also said there was no link between Iraq and Bin Laden. She still voted to take us into this unwarranted war. Then she says she did not know it was a vote to go to war, then she says she did not read the report. Well I don't want a person like that, as my president, one who would take us into World War III without knowing all the facts. Now she continually votes in line with Bush and the Republicans to continue the war which 75% of the people in the USA oppose. Hillary Clinton aggressively seeks money from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. She's even said that these lobbyists represent real Americans. Who does she really support? Pretty obviously it is the lobbist from the war machine manufactures and others. Please everyone of you send e-amials to all your friends and ask them to support Barrack Obama in anyway they can. Please get out and do all you can do to support this man who will like Kennedy and Martin Luther King lead us to the promised land. A land of peace, justice and opportunity for all.

Ohg Rea Tone   January 4th, 2008 6:17 pm ET

New Hampshire must be measured in terms of enthusiasm and desire - rather than in the traditional measurements of demographics. The demographics are skewed because they represent selfish desires - The American Populace has transcended selfishness to take the country back from the thugs and bullies.
Ohg.
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/01/04/nh-political-predictions-of-ohg-rea-tone/

Denise P Quinton   January 4th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

I am sick and tired of all the Hilary bashing going on and totally disgusted with the political views of John Edwards, who cares what he thinks. And states like Iowa do not determine who our next President will be so I suggest CNN stop giving the country their take on the election which is still l year away and report newsworthy news. CNN has become another FOX and do not deserve airspace as they are over the top. Barrack Obama is a junior senator with no experience whatsoever in foreign policy, will have the U S making friends with Castro, Venezuela and every other contradictory nation possible, he is not qualified to run any country!

Erich DeLang   January 4th, 2008 7:02 pm ET

Barack Obama is not Muslim, but a Christian in general, and a member of the United Church of Christ in particular. He lived in the predominantly Islamic nation of Indonesia in his youth, but attended no Islamist schools and did not practice the religion. Barack Obama Sr., the candidates father, was raised a Muslim but became an atheist by the time he attended college. At any rate, he left the family when the Senator was only two years old. His stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, is a non-practicing Muslim, and Senator Obama's education was supervised primarily by his mother.

May   January 4th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

Obama represents false hopes - he is a good talker and if you are gullible, you will be mesmerized by his pie in the sky promises. Hillary Clinton has all the qualifications and the mastery and skill to navigate Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington politics to get change done. Hillary does not have any vested interests in oil, in corporate baits, Hillary just wants to serve the country, period!

Christine   January 4th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

It seems there were a number of republicans who stood for Obama in Iowa, does anyone have an opinion or thought about that possibility?

2008Central.net   January 4th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Ignoring CNN's consistent overuse of "best" — I just wanted to recommend 2008Central.net's presidential election podcast. This is a nonpartisan, substantive discussion of news and analysis regarding the presidential election…

You can check out the latest episode here: http://2008central.net/?p=1664

Or, you can subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/2008CentralPodcast

Mary Brock   January 4th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

Amen to everything Ted Ziolkowski said in his post on January 4th. However, I cannot forget how the Clinton's tried to remove Whitehouse furniture to their new home when they were moving out of the Whitehouse. That was reported in a newspaper at the time, if anyone does not remember or know about it.
My vote will go to Barrack Obama !

Lisa   January 4th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

I understand that the younger voter in Iowa wants change. Just beacause someone says CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, like Mr. Obama he screams that word out but he has not explained what he would do. I think these young adults should STOP and read the facts and stop going with the cattle!!!! I hear the MOO down the road…………………….

Carole CA   January 4th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

I agree with everything Denise Quinton posted. It's time for the junior senator from Illinois to speak up and tell us what he's about. And it's time CNN stopped their pro-Obama, anti-Hillary bias. Just give us the cold, hard, true facts. We can decide for ourselves without you jamming your skewed opinions down our throats. Geez! Whatever happened to honorable, unbiased journalism?

pamela in SC   January 4th, 2008 9:12 pm ET

This is the political arena–not the ENTERTAINMENT industry! For once–FORGET WHAT OPRAH THINKS!!!! Ignore the celebrities (by the way, they ALL make more than we working stiffs do, don't they?). Have we lost the ability to make up our own minds based on the our own perceptions of the candidates? (Except, perhaps, for the last TWO presidential elections?–This country should have been admitted to a mental institute after both of those!!) Yes, we need change–this country's going to "hell in a handbasket"! So examine the candidates for who & what they are–not because your favorite "soap star" endorses them. USE YOUR OWN BRAIN!!!!!

FAIR TAX,LA.   January 4th, 2008 9:16 pm ET

NO OBAMA, NO HILLARY!!
FAIR TAX ALL THE WAY!!!
GO HUCK!!!

charles risner   January 4th, 2008 10:54 pm ET

You folks should remember, all politicions are liars, cause most of the time that is exactly what we expect to hear. All (most) anchors (glen Beck -Bill O'Rilly Geroldo) are bigggg liars. That is why there ratings are so high. We keep listening to see what they will say next. They are also all biased, mostley towards their right-wing sided favorites.

Doug from Canada   January 4th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

WOW and GOOD JOB to the CNN CREW

Thompson & McCain are tied
273 votes different = 0.89% of their diff
= 0.23% of total votes

CNN & analysts call this a tie

Edwards & Clinton - Clinton looses and is definitely THIRD place
7 votes different = 1% of their diff
= 0.28% of total votes

CNN & ALL analysts call this third place

I think these are equal differences so is there a bit of "help" from your media in steering the election I dare CNN to explain their "interpretation" publicly

Barbara   January 5th, 2008 2:04 am ET

In with the New..Out with the Old. I am so sick and tired of the Washington Establishment,Big Wigs ,The Big Political Machines, Same Ole!, Same Ole! Bushes gone, Clintonian Days over, The days of scandals, corruption, etc.etc.etc.are soon over, Old Out!! New In!! Go Barak Obma! Go ! I for one am on your Band Wagon, We the PEOPLE of America will finally be recognized, Lets be proud of America again, Lets do it this time….

marvin   January 5th, 2008 3:43 am ET

for over 2000 years muslims and christians have fought many bloody fights,now they have brought it to our shoreswith the posibilties of Barrack Huessien obama (a muslim) being a possilble contender and Huckabee(christian).If Barack Is not a muslim why the middle name?I tellyou that if my middle name was adolph or hitlerI would Get rid of it as fast as I could and also if he doesnt eat pork is a telltale sign hes still a muslim.this probaly wont get on the blog but i am taking a chance that it might.thank you for the time to read my insert if it gets that far

Ann Aloha, PA   January 5th, 2008 8:05 am ET

This is actually going to stir up more votes for Hillary Cinton and it will backfire on all the media bashing of her. When will they learn, and I am so disappointed in Anderson Cooper for being a puppet to this Hillary bashing on cnn, after all his family supported the Clintons for being sensitive to his mothers dynasty and help her get there in a sense. How quickly they turn when they see sensationalism or the mere hint of a chance to boost ratings the choice at hand.
After the dust has cleared and the "CORRECT" candidate has been chosen, I hope CNN and all the other Hillary bashers will learn an important lesson…Put Your Hand Over Your Mouth, When You Cough…That Will Help The Solution.
As an independent voter, I still have to decide but the media isn't making this a comfortable task.

Ann Aloha, PA   January 5th, 2008 9:56 am ET

I think it would be very interesting to see the breakdown of total votes counted before the caucus members shifted to their sencond choice candidates. To me this shows the true commitment of caucus members to their original choice of candidate.
I don't think this will be revealed because the media is being biased and that it the report will show or paint a different picture of the candidates.

betty   January 5th, 2008 11:47 am ET

Obama's campaign proudly announced today the endorsement of former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges who will join his campaign as a national co-chair.

Hodges is, in fact, a registered federal lobbyist, a search of the Senate Office of Public Records Lobbying Disclosure Act Database shows. He registered as such on June 1, 2007..

Yesterda Obama vowed that he didn't take money from lobbyist .

Obama, however, has justified taking money from state based lobbyists and working with them.
His New Hampshere campaign chair is a lobbyist too.

Eye Opener   January 5th, 2008 11:53 am ET

Was it me, or did Obama play the race card well, as the other party played the Religous card?
Listen to the Obama victory speech carefully, sounded ALOT like a "MLK" speech,
with a political sugar coating,with a twist of change.
It is a shame the media is quick to pass the possibility of religion as a role, but yet refrain from how the race card, and gender roll MAY play a key part as well.
All 3 factors are going to have a big impact on how the political race is going to come about in the end.

g-dog   January 5th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

I believe that it is true that Hillary represents change, even though it has taken a while for her to triangulate through other slogans to get to change. So with Hillary as president we will be done with the Bush administration's arrogance, deceit, secrecy, unethical and illegal actions, quasi-despotism, international hegemonism, nepotism and cronyism, polarization, cynical jingoism, dirty tricks, and completely selling out to lobbyists. Instead it will be the Hillary's administration doing the same, if not worse. The polls consistently say that the majority of the American public does not trust or like Hillary.

As for Hillary's so-called experience, being First Lady? Whoopee. If being First Lady is enough experience to qualify a person to be President of the United States, then Laura Bush is equally qualified to become President? If Hillary's experience means her abysmal failure at healthcare reform, that doesn't bode well? Even her allies admit that she handled it with such arrogance, elitism, and insensitivity that it set back that discussion by years.

People complain that Hillary is being treated unfairly by the press. Well, duh! She does not allow the press to fly with her, unlike other candidates. Unlike her husband did when he campaigns. This forces them to drive or try to book seats on commercial planes. After one campaign event there was left over food. Her comment was, "Well, I guess we can give it to the press." (They had not been fed.) Her arrogant and condescending attitude and behavior toward the press cannot help but influence how they report on her. So if the press is treating her unfairly, much of the blame goes back to her queenly attitude.

gene   January 6th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

Obama can not win the general election. He will lose all of the southern and border states, as well as, the states of New Jersey, New York and Pa. snd maybe a few others. Do not let your heart rule your head. I am liberal democrat {81 years of age} and a veteran of the 2nd world war, Hillary is the ony one that can beat this group and if you are really democrats at least stop the bashing. It sure is unbecoming of you.

castro   January 8th, 2008 11:21 pm ET

she bullies when she's up in the polls, then she cries like a baby when she's down, or throws a temper tantrum like a two-year -old. Sorry, Hill, but not every democrat likes you, not every woman likes you. She claims to have 35 years in government service…there are housekeepers that have scrubbed toilets in Washington for longer, and I am sure that there are "escorts" who can claim 35 years in government service . All she has done is ride on Bronco Billy's coattails, then claiming his ideas as hers…wonder whose idea it was to give Vince Foster a "going away present". Would like a scandal -free White House for a change, and am tired of the bush-clinton-bush-clinton years …hard to believe that the last president we had whose last name wasn't Bush or Clinton was Reagan…almost 20 years of the same faces…maybe that's why even Ron Paul is looking better to voters than Hillary. Someone, anyone is better than a Clinton or

BB   January 9th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

I think that Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama might have been perceived as a threat to people worried, latently or patently, about the so-called "race card." This might explain the unexpected surge of support for Clinton.

Indeed, Obama's predicted percentage matched his actual standing in N. H.

On the other hand, Clinton had the unexplained variance.

al Iowa   January 11th, 2008 3:56 am ET

I think obama's group used dirty takticks in iowa,in one district I know they had less then the amount of voters to get an electorial vote yet when I gave you numbers you did not get back to me on it again I Say 78 voters presant 27 for Edwards,32 for Clinton,12 for obama,7 for Richardson. Richardson was told to leave room but some changed side " totals are above afterwards". By calculation (The parties needed 15 to even stay in the room),Question how did Obama's group get to stay in the room and further more recieve an electorial vote?.If electorial votes are so important then why did he get one! The way it was done is wrong,You should not be able to round up.district4 iowa caucass! The folks in that room were lied to bottom line .then told the chairman had 27 years exp.So it is ok,well the assistant chairman told the chairman that was not proper he said that was Democratic. This was my first Caucass if this is right then I now how bush won in his amazing RACE.BOTTOM LINE!!!!!.

colene   January 11th, 2008 6:52 am ET

i blame bill clinton for the last seven years of having to deal with bush. he did not do anything except try to stay out of trouble. it was one scandal after another. this man cannot wait to get into the white house to do it all over again. do you think hillary will be able to get anything done with him getting it on with the interns.

Mike J   January 19th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

I will leave the bad-mouthing to McCain,Romney, and the other stimulus seeking people, I want complete change, its time to give freedom a chance up there in Washington, there has been too many theiving of our rights not to vote for complete change.
Ron Paul

joanne   January 24th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Go Barak! Those of us in Iowa need to continue to talk with friends here at home and others who have yet to vote. I worked with the Obama camp and none of us were involved in negative campaigning and that directive came from the top(Barak). In fact the chance to support a positive inclusive candidate was in large part what attracted the quality volunteers, and voters that resulted in the WIN in Iowa. And when it comes to experience Barak has what it takes for me, he has "walked with the people" as a community organizer. He has been there and he's brilliant! He wants the active participation of the people in OUR government.

sam   February 6th, 2008 6:23 am ET

The way CNN panders to Barak Obama has damaged the credibility of CNN.

Its clear CNN giving lion share to Barak and free media to him has a purpose.

CNN is now bwecoming pro obama,

Its like BBC now !

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