Huckabee, Obama celebrate victories in Iowa
Jan. 4, 2008
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee claimed victory in Iowa on Thursday and could possibly shape the outcome of the rest of the primary season. Obama finished with 38 percent of the Democratic vote, while Huckabee finished with 35 percent of the Republican vote.
Appearing Thursday before a crowd of supporters, Huckabee and campaign leaders thanked the republicans who chose to caucus for him, saying they were part of a movement of change.
"This is the beginning to a great march to the presidency," Huckabee campaign chairman Ed Rollins said.
Huckabee's campaign coordinator in Iowa, Chip Saltsman, said the candidate had received calls of congratulations from Republican candidates Rudy Giuliani and John McCain.
Saltsman attributed Huckabee's victory to the candidate's message and the campaign's organization in Iowa.
"Tonight has been an amazing night for Gov. Huckabee in Iowa and across the country," he said.
Des Moines resident Derian Baugh said he caucused for Huckabee because he believed the candidate is the most consistent.
"He's consistent in what he says, and he's bold in his convictions," Baugh said. "I think he's a person who speaks by his conviction, not just with the public or popular opinion."
Baugh said this was the first time he participated in a caucus to select a candidate for president.
Drake University pharmacy student Kim Sadewasser said she also caucused for Huckabee because of his stance on social issues, primarily his stance against abortion and his "fair tax" plan. He said they shared a Christian background
"A lot of our views are in line because they're based on the same truth," she said.
She said that she believes Huckabee had a "pretty good" showing at the caucus she attended near the university, but that it was probably lower than it would have been if classes had been in session at Drake.
"There were a few people that traveled back in support of some other candidates," she said.
Others, including MU junior Megan McAfee, were drawn to Huckabee's caucus party by his celebrity endorser, actor Chuck Norris.
McAfee, a resident of Des Moines, said she caucused for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards because of his energy and education policies.
"I know he's working for the college student," she said.
She said she would also support hopeful Bill Richardson. She said she didn't know enough about Obama to comment on his victory in Iowa.
"It's going to be an interesting season," she said.
After one week of campaigning for Obama in rural Iowa, students from Mizzou for Obama sat in front of a television after caucusing and watched the results trickle in.
At the end of the night, after Obama secured his victory of the Iowa Democratic nomination, the five MU students who traveled to Iowa over winter break were elated.
"We worked hard, and it paid off," Mizzou for Obama member Caitlin Ellis said.
Member Katie Hamlett said she thinks the outcome of the Iowa caucuses will have a significant effect on the rest of the primary season.
"I feel like we already won it," Hamlett said. "If (Obama) can win in Iowa, he can win anywhere."
The MU students were assigned to canvass for Obama in Greenfield, Iowa, but the real party occurred about an hour north in Des Moines, Iowa, where Obama gave a victory speech.
"They said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high," Obama said to a crowd of a few thousand of supporters. "But on this January night you have done what was said we couldn't do."
Before the Jan. 3 caucuses, political pundits placed Obama's fate in the hands of Independents and first-time caucus-goers. After a sizeable victory, Obama thanked all the people that caucused for him.
"You came together as Democrats, Republicans and Independents to say that we are one nation," he said.
Obama went on to discuss his major platform ideas, which drew great amounts of applause from the audience.
"This is just nuts," Iowa State University sophomore Andy Goers said.
Goers and ISU sophomore Chelsea Peers both caucused for the first time this year and said they thought the outcome could prove well to Obama the rest of the primary season.
Other students that were first-time caucus-goers expressed excitement to support Obama.
ISU senior Jamie Cunningham attended a caucus in her hometown of Des Moines for Obama. She said the caucus format is persuasive and thoughtful. She caucused for Obama because she believes he has a strong chance of being elected in the federal elections and also has good ideas for education.
"Being a student, I honestly think he'll help educate this country and re-budget federal funds for more grants and loans."
The campaign trail now moves to New Hampshire, when the primary is held on Jan. 6. The Missouri primary is on Feb. 5, along with 21 other states on what is known as Super Tuesday.
More Jan. 4, 2008 News Stories
- A look at the Iowa caucuses — Political Columnist Asim Thakore analyzes caucus results and takes a look at what's ahead in the race for president.
- Huckabee, Obama celebrate victories in Iowa — Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee claimed victory in Iowa on Thursday and could possibly shape ...
Most recent News Stories
- Curators approve new health sciences degree — The program will target incoming health professions students.
- MU to stop accepting applications for fall — Citing already-high numbers of freshman enrollment, Chancellor Brady Deaton announced today that MU will not accept freshman applications for the ...
- Two apartment complexes to offer MU student housing — Due to an especially large freshman class, the Department of Residential Life will enter into a contract with Campus View ...
- ASUM victorious with student vote — The student representative would get a vote if Missouri loses a congressional district in 2010.
- Ellis patron arrested Monday — Patron suspected of viewing illicit material.