Kickoff Iowa
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
January 04, 2008
Last night was the first or many preliminary steps to the race for the White House in 2008. Democrats and Republicans alike braved the bitter cold in Iowa to ring the bell for change. Their collective voices rang loud and clear. Democrats had the largest showing ever in Iowa with 130,000 or so attending their caucus. Many of those were the youth of America who had never participated in this process before. We have team Obama to thank for their hard work and dedication to this cause.
As the closing bell drew near and the number or percentages of the caucus populace each candidate took were being etched in history some had cause for celebration while others had opportunity for reflection of what they needed or wanted to achieve in order to keep pace with the next step. In a surprisingly tight race for second place John Edwards and Hillary Clinton battled it out and ended up within one percentage point of their respective spots (John Edwards 30% and Hillary Clinton 29%). By far the shining star of the Iowa caucus was Barack Obama, the junior Senator from Illinois, who took an amazing 38%.
No doubt Chris Dodd and Joe Biden dropping out from this race will see supporters scrambling for one of the top three candidates before all is said and done. I also believe that since Kucinich did not place his participants helped to push Obama into the top slot amidst a very close race.
Once their positions in this caucus were known each of the three top contenders gave a speech to their active participants in this cause. John Edwards spoke first and should have began his speech with a warm thank you for the people of Iowa who helped him to secure second position, but instead he spoke about what changes his campaign was working toward for the people of America. Surrounding him were his wife, Elizabeth, his three children, and his father. No doubt he is sincere and can effectuate the changes that can once again make America respected around the world and stronger at home, but can he maintain his close call in the second spot? Time will tell.
Hillary Clinton spoke next and she was gracious and presidential. Many of her close friends and family were viewed at her side. She too spoke about change and even began to involve the middle class and the poor which had previously been championed by only John Edwards. Bill stood solemnly near Hillary and was both pleased and disappointed at the outcome. Pleased that she placed, but disappointed that she was badly beaten by Barack Obama.
Lastly, spoke the man of the moment and perhaps our next President, Barack Obama. He walked to the stage with his wife and family amidst screams of support, revelry, and elation from the crowds. Clearly he was pleased. His voice rang true and clear. His smile shone brightly like the sun emerging from the horizon at dawn to begin the day anew. As he began his speech he evoked thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther King and his historical march for equality. Like Dr. King, Barack Obama is a uniter. He calls for not red and blue states, but purple. He calls for not black or white, but tan. One world, one America. Together we can achieve great things! He has a youth and vitality that have long since been missing in the politics as usual. Should Barack Obama be able to continue this momentum he will make a wonderful 44th President of the United States of America.
The next hurdle is New Hampshire. Four days and counting! Great job Barack, John, and Hillary! See you there.
As the closing bell drew near and the number or percentages of the caucus populace each candidate took were being etched in history some had cause for celebration while others had opportunity for reflection of what they needed or wanted to achieve in order to keep pace with the next step. In a surprisingly tight race for second place John Edwards and Hillary Clinton battled it out and ended up within one percentage point of their respective spots (John Edwards 30% and Hillary Clinton 29%). By far the shining star of the Iowa caucus was Barack Obama, the junior Senator from Illinois, who took an amazing 38%.
No doubt Chris Dodd and Joe Biden dropping out from this race will see supporters scrambling for one of the top three candidates before all is said and done. I also believe that since Kucinich did not place his participants helped to push Obama into the top slot amidst a very close race.
Once their positions in this caucus were known each of the three top contenders gave a speech to their active participants in this cause. John Edwards spoke first and should have began his speech with a warm thank you for the people of Iowa who helped him to secure second position, but instead he spoke about what changes his campaign was working toward for the people of America. Surrounding him were his wife, Elizabeth, his three children, and his father. No doubt he is sincere and can effectuate the changes that can once again make America respected around the world and stronger at home, but can he maintain his close call in the second spot? Time will tell.
Hillary Clinton spoke next and she was gracious and presidential. Many of her close friends and family were viewed at her side. She too spoke about change and even began to involve the middle class and the poor which had previously been championed by only John Edwards. Bill stood solemnly near Hillary and was both pleased and disappointed at the outcome. Pleased that she placed, but disappointed that she was badly beaten by Barack Obama.
Lastly, spoke the man of the moment and perhaps our next President, Barack Obama. He walked to the stage with his wife and family amidst screams of support, revelry, and elation from the crowds. Clearly he was pleased. His voice rang true and clear. His smile shone brightly like the sun emerging from the horizon at dawn to begin the day anew. As he began his speech he evoked thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther King and his historical march for equality. Like Dr. King, Barack Obama is a uniter. He calls for not red and blue states, but purple. He calls for not black or white, but tan. One world, one America. Together we can achieve great things! He has a youth and vitality that have long since been missing in the politics as usual. Should Barack Obama be able to continue this momentum he will make a wonderful 44th President of the United States of America.
The next hurdle is New Hampshire. Four days and counting! Great job Barack, John, and Hillary! See you there.
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