Huck-Obama?

By Scott Monson

With record turn outs and major wins on both the Republican and Democratic tickets the votes cast in Iowa have dramatically changed the landscape of the 2008 presidential election.

Especially on the Democrat ticket no one could have predicted Hillary Clinton in third place behind John Edwards. She was considered the sure candidate. This year in particular it has been very difficult predict what really who is the frontrunner. No one could have predicted the mobilization by evangelical churches nor the enormous size of the youth vote in Iowa for Barack Obama. Even with experienced pollsters and pundits no one had any idea that the winners would win by such large margins. For better or worse things are not the same any more.

There have been several changes in how candidates run for office, how we vote, and the role of money in campaigns. It wasn’t the richest candidates or the candidate with the moist experience that won. It wasn’t the best organization and most money that brought out the vote this time. It wasn’t a single issue that has dominated the discussions. Both sides have discussed the war in Iraq, the economy, and the necessity for change in Washington however there has not been just one dominate issue.

Personality, combined with a desire for change in Washington helped energize many of the independent and young voters. Many Republican leaders like Limbaugh, Hannity, and the National Review are very concerned with certain candidates like Huckabee and McCain. There is only one thing for sure this election season and that there will be a lot of mudslinging and a lot of rhetoric.