So Barack Obama has got Iowa. Hillary Clinton can take solace from the fact that the state has never elected a woman as governor. But what was shocking was that Clinton fell to third place (albeit slightly) behind Edwards.
But much depends on New Hampshire. Another loss will almost mean the end of road for her. Voters (specially the fence-sitters) do tend to have the herd mentality. “Obama has won in Iowa and New Hampshire and so will win elsewhere too. Hence let me vote for him”; such is the thinking of a herd. But it will mean bad news for Hillary.
Of course the ‘heavy-weight’ states like California, Nevada, New York, Florida, New Jersey and Massachusetts remain. But remember the horde of bulls running.....
Moreover Iowa has shown that Democratic voters seem to be ready to accept an African-American as the president. If voters in other states show a similar tendency it will be a further dampener (putting it mildly) for Hillary.
The almost 8% gap between Obama and Hillary shows the yearning for change amongst the Democratic voters; they are ready to try out something different from the Clinton family. Or is Hillary going to have to pay for the sins of Bill?
On the republican side, Huckabee romped home, beating all expectations that the money-power of Romney will ensure him a victory at Iowa. Instead what worked was the charming and quick witted personality of Huckabee. Romney, like Hillary, badly needs a victory at New Hampshire. Otherwise they can both almost bid their presidential aspirations good bye.
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