Obama, Huckabee Win Iowa Presidential Caucuses

[Chancellor]

You Decide 08! » Obama, Huckabee Win Iowa Presidential Caucuses

From the article: "Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee emerged the big winners in Thursday night’s Iowa caucuses, besting well-organized and funded opponents and both claiming the mantle of change."

On the Democrat side, Obama got a very respectable 38 percent, Edwards (who will always be more of a woman than Hillary) got 30 percent, and Hillary got 29 percent. The other Democrats were all in single digits hovering at less than 2 percent.

On the Republican side, Huckabee got 34 percent Romney got 25 percent, Thompson and McCain were tied at 13 percent, while Ron Paul was close on their heels at 10 percent (and won Jefferson County). Giuliani, who didn't even bother to show up, got a mere 4 percent.

ABC is going to include Ron Paul in their upcoming debate but FOX News is keeping him out of their debate while letting Giuliani in.

[rmnunez]

Its amazing, interesting to see Hillary a distant third among the Democratic contenders. I wonder how Obama would do against whoever the Republicans put up if he gets the nod from the Democrats after their caucuses. I think his pigmentation (like Hillary's gender) improves the odds for the Republicans.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: rmnunez Its amazing, interesting to see Hillary a distant third among the Democratic contenders. I wonder how Obama would do against whoever the Republicans put up if he gets the nod from the Democrats after their caucuses. I think his pigmentation (like Hillary's gender) improves the odds for the Republicans.

Well, she was actually a very close third - 29 percent to Edwards' 30 percent.

I think Obama would do well against any of the so-called "first tier" Republican candidates and against Huckabee (who was not a "first tier" candidate - at least not according to the media idiots, er um I mean pundits) and Thompson (Fred, not Tommy). He would not do as well against Ron Paul.

As for Obama's "pigmentation," he's a mulatto - half black, half white. There are many in the black community who refuse to support him because, in their words, "he's not one of us" and yet they are champing at the bit to support Hillary (who is even less one of them, though her husband was the first black President (Clinton as the First Black President). Obama is far more African than the majority of "African-Americans," since his father was born and raised in Africa; and how much more "American" can you get than having a mother that was born and raised in Kansas?

[Chaossaber314]

I hope Obama avoids the same crazies that scared Colin Powell and his family out of running for President all those years ago. I remember his wife refusing to allow him to even consider it for fear of his life.

Quote by: Chancellor at least not according to the media idiots, er um I mean pundit

Don't correct yourself. They're synonymous.

He would not do as well against Ron Paul.

How do you figure? Ron Paul isn't even doing that well against members of his own party.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 I hope Obama avoids the same crazies that scared Colin Powell and his family out of running for President all those years ago. I remember his wife refusing to allow him to even consider it for fear of his life.

Was it that or was it all the intrusion into their personal lives that the media subjects candidates to?

Don't correct yourself. They're synonymous.

True.

How do you figure? Ron Paul isn't even doing that well against members of his own party.

Debate-wise, Ron Paul does quite well.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Chancellor Was it that or was it all the intrusion into their personal lives that the media subjects candidates to?

According to her it was his safety.

AllPolitics - Alma Was Alarmed - Apr. 11, 1996

Debate-wise, Ron Paul does quite well.

Ah so you mean subjectively since objectively, Ron Paul doesn't look like he's going to make it through the primaries much less win a national election against Obama.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 According to her it was his safety. AllPolitics - Alma Was Alarmed - Apr. 11, 1996

Okay, I hadn't heard that issue brought up about him. I did hear about the concern over the way the media digs into a candidate's personal life.

Ah so you mean subjectively since objectively, Ron Paul doesn't look like he's going to make it through the primaries much less win a national election against Obama.

No, I mean that if Ron Paul and Barack Obama were in a debate together Ron Paul would give him a run for his money. And there is no such thing as "objectively" in this election with the media idiots trying so hard to manipulate the results.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Chancellor Okay, I hadn't heard that issue brought up about him. I did hear about the concern over the way the media digs into a candidate's personal life. No, I mean that if Ron Paul and Barack Obama were in a debate together Ron Paul would give him a run for his money. And there is no such thing as "objectively" in this election with the media idiots trying so hard to manipulate the results.

The phrase "doing well" against someone in a Presidential Election objectively means winning the race.

[xyzer]

I have to tip my hat to the Democrats in Iowa who relegated Sen Clinton to the also rans! Perhaps through all that facade of competence her ugly past showed through. No executive experience, little activity and accomplishment as a Senator(Shes has been campaigning for most of her senatorial terms), poor organizing skills(healthcare fiasco) campaign finance irregularities;,A penchant for throwing lamps; political shenanigans (the FBI files in the Whitehouse),Disrespect for the military staff; purposeful avoidance of a supoena(later found in the Whitehouse in her quarters). And so on plus telling lies and showing socialist tendencies(making healthcare and education promises that will cost us taxpayers) on the campaign trail? Dragging out that disgrace of a husband of hers to simper and posture as if he could see beyond the 'bimbos'?

[Nono]

Quote by: rmnunez I think his pigmentation (like Hillary's gender) improves the odds for the Republicans.

Hmm... I agree that a black (or mulatto) person is still basically unelectable in the US.* A woman perhaps not. But Hillary, yes, unelectable since there is a well-established rightwing hyteria against her.

Personalities aside, I see race as being way more of a problem than gender. Race is the elephant in America's living room. No getting around it.

Quote by: Chancellor There are many in the black community who refuse to support him because, in their words, "he's not one of us" and yet they are champing at the bit to support Hillary (who is even less one of them, though her husband was the first black President (Clinton as the First Black President).

Whatever his pigmentation, Obama does not share the slave heritage of most American blacks. An enormous difference.

If they're champing at the bit, it's because Americans as a whole would have gleefully re-elected Bill Clinton for a third term. Any day.

Obama is far more African than the majority of "African-Americans," since his father was born and raised in Africa; and how much more "American" can you get than having a mother that was born and raised in Kansas?

Obama was born in Asia, right? And grew up in Hawaii, correct? And basically without his father's influence, as I understand it. (Do correct me if I'm wrong.) So, apart from reflexive racism he's doubtless had to put up with in his time, how African can he be said to be?

More of a Kansan if you ask me.

* Swiss TV was interviewing some rednecks the other day: "Obama... tha' do sound t'me like a sorta terrist name, dont'cha thank? Jes lak Bin Laddin. Ain' nobody heah gonna vote fo' him."

[rmnunez]

I don't know enough about race relations in the US. I think the issue has been downplayed relating to Obama, he certainly hasn't come off as a champion for integration, affirmative action or whatever the issue may be for blacks in the US.

If any candidacy can be promoted on the basis of ethnicity it would have to be the hispanics since this is the largest growing group and its such a diverse community everyone fits in.

[Jubloz]

Quote by: Nono Obama was born in Asia, right? And grew up in Hawaii, correct? And basically without his father's influence, as I understand it. (Do correct me if I'm wrong.) So, apart from reflexive racism he's doubtless had to put up with in his time, how African can he be said to be?

No, he was born in Hawaii to an American woman and Barack Sr., who was a native Kenyan. I do remember reading that his mother married an Asian man and Barack moved to Indonesia (I believe) for about four or so years. As for his name, I had assumed it was Muslim, but I just looked online and it's implied that his name is actually African but of Hebrew origin.

[Nono]

I stand corrected. Anyway, the point is, Obama didn't grow up in Peoria, and certainly not Watts, Compton or Bedford-Stuyvesant.

This is not a criticism of Obama -- just an attempt to pin down the true influences on him. (Just as the true influences on Boy George are privilege and preppydom -- not the Dust Bowl or Tornado Alley, no matter how hard the little twerp tries to imitate a Texas accent.)

Re the name "Obama", there are plenty of Muslims in Kenya, especially on the coast. Plenty of Christians too.

As for the name "Barack", yes it sounds like the Hebrew word berakhah, but it also sounds like a word from another Semitic language -- Arabic -- meaning "grace". That word is baraka.
I'd say the Arabs have had a lot more influence in Kenya than the Jews.

Of course, there are the Lemba, the Bantu-speaking "black Jews of southern Africa": The Lemba -- The Black Jews of Southern Africa

[Jubloz]

Quote by: Nono Re the name "Obama", there are plenty of Muslims in Kenya, especially on the coast. Plenty of Christians too.

Right. I believe his middle name is also Hussein, which further implies some sort of Muslim heritage.

[The Decider]

Quote by: Chancellor On the Republican side, Huckabee got 34 percent Romney got 25 percent, Thompson and McCain were tied at 13 percent, while Ron Paul was close on their heels at 10 percent (and won Jefferson County). Giuliani, who didn't even bother to show up, got a mere 4 percent. ABC is going to include Ron Paul in their upcoming debate but FOX News is keeping him out of their debate while letting Giuliani in.

I see little.to celebrate in Ron Paul's 10% in Iowa. Ron Paul has raised millions of dollars and spent considerable time in Iowa but could only finish fifth in the caucuses. All that time and effort gained Paul just 6% over last place finisher Guiliani who spent no time or money in Iowa.

If Paul can't do better in New Hampshire, a state tailor-made for libertarians, he's finished.

[kubedawg]

It was obvious that he was going to have a difficult time in Iowa. In a mostly religious caucus(meaning most voters are voting based on religious beliefs), it doesn't come as a suprise to me that Huckabee won. I do believe Ron Paul could have done better, but he's just getting started IMO. I hope to see him place at least 3rd in NH.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Chaossaber314 The phrase "doing well" against someone in a Presidential Election objectively means winning the race.

No, it doesn't. Doing well simply means doing well. Both candidates could conceivably do well but only one is going to win. And I was referring to a political debate, not a political race.

[The Decider]

Quote by: kubedawg It was obvious that he was going to have a difficult time in Iowa. In a mostly religious caucus(meaning most voters are voting based on religious beliefs), it doesn't come as a suprise to me that Huckabee won. I do believe Ron Paul could have done better, but he's just getting started IMO. I hope to see him place at least 3rd in NH.

If Paul can't make inroads with Republican social conservatives, how is he going to win in southern states? They are base voters--the most energetic in the Republican Party. He needs at least some of them for the nomination.

In New Hampshire, what evidence do you have (other than "hope") that Paul will take third place? And how does third place in a state tailor-made for libertarians translate into success in other states?

[Chancellor]

Quote by: The Decider If Paul can't make inroads with Republican social conservatives, how is he going to win in southern states? They are base voters--the most energetic in the Republican Party. He needs at least some of them for the nomination.

By appealing to the significant portion of states' rights folks who hate federal government intrusions on the states.

[The Decider]

Quote by: Chancellor By appealing to the significant portion of states' rights folks who hate federal government intrusions on the states.

New Hampshire has plenty of those. We'll see how Paul does tonight. How is he doing in South Carolina?

So far, for all of Paul's internet fundraising and mass emails, he hasn't threatened any of the top-tier Republican candidates anywhere in the country.