DES MOINES –
Sen. Barack Obama, bidding to become the nation’s first black president, won the Iowa caucuses Thursday night, the opening test in the race for the 2008 Democratic nomination.Obama, 46 and a first-term senator from Illinois, eased past a high-powered field that included Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, the former first lady, and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the party’s 2004 vice presidential nominee.
Obama, who campaigned as an apostle of change in Washington, was gaining 36 percent support among Democrats. Edwards, who ran promising to battle the special interests in the capital, and Clinton, who stressed her experience, both were drawing about 30 percent.
About half the Democratic caucus-goers said a candidate’s ability to bring about needed change was the most important factor as they made up their minds, according to entrance interviews by The Associated Press and the television networks. Change was Obama’s calling card in the arduous campaign for Iowa’s backing.
Fewer voters cited experience, which Clinton said was her strong suit, or a candidate’s chance of capturing the White House or ability to care about people like the voters themselves.
Fuente Miami Herald.
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