For the first time, an American of African origin is in the lead to become the next President of the United States

A neophyte senator with hardly any political experience Obama surged ahead at the Democrat caucus in Iowa with young people and the very liberal democrats backing him up.

"You have done what America can do in this New Year 2008. In lines that stretched around schools and churches, in small towns and big cities, 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," Obama said after the caucus in Iowa.

Obama won 38 per cent of the delegates and in second place was John Edwards with 30 per cent with Hillary managing to garner just 29 per cent of the votes.

However, the senator from New York and wife of former president Bill Clinton put her best face forward.

"How will we win in November 2008? By nominating a candidate who will be able to go the distance and who will be the President on Day I. I am ready for that contest," Hillary said.

On the Republican side an ordained Southern Baptist preacher, Mike Huckabee, won 34 per cent of the vote against 25 per cent polled by venture capitalist Mitt Romney.

"A new day is needed in American politics just like a new day is needed in American government and tonight it starts here in Iowa but it doesn't end here. It goes all the way through the other states and ends at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," Huckabee said.

The big story emerging from the Iowa caucus is that Obama and Huckabee won. But the biggest story was that Hillary came third among Democrats. Now the scene shifts to New Hampshire where the primary elections take place on January 8.

(Source:www.ibnlive.com)