Iowa Caucus & a New America?

"All the Kings Men" was a slimy political free-for-all Louisiana political plot that highlighted power politics, money, and dirt like we all know politics to be. Thats the politics of old. Iowa 2008 promises two different candidates far different in tone, attitude, and word.

Mike Hukabee and Barak Obama stunned political junkies and towered over competitors winning 34% and 38% of caucus going voters in Iowa. Both men embody inspirational connecting messages. One had money; the other did not. Both became unlikely heroes, at least for an evening across America.

Huckabee, outspent 15 to 1 by Romney, carried evangelical's hopes to the finish line. Pundits, pollsters, and most of us liken Huckabee to David and a slingshot. Romney's massive national effort barely made him respectable in Iowa. But one night "doth not make a victor". Nontheless, can anyone not help like the former Governor of Arkansas?

Clean rhetoric, simple style, authentic charisma, likeable personality, and acceptable ideas are bound to draw millions of dollars to carry on the Huckaboom Message into Hew Hampshire and South Carolina. True conservatives question this man's economic credentials. After all, hiking taxes 94 times including cigarette and alcohol while Arkansas' governor are not the favored policies of conservatives. But who would not want a governor to improve roads and education in a state where both were desperately needed? Does not the governor have a right to impelement the 80% mandate of Arkansas voters?

Of Obama Mr. GQ, can anyone ignore the infinite charisma, soaring rhehtoric, and energizing force of his appeal? The Audacity of Hope author has shattered the glass ceiling, and the ramifications will be felt for many states to come. Its a good thing. Americans are listening. Americans are captured. New Hampshire awaits. South Cariolina awaits the newbie Senator to resonate hope again. Charisma, however, is no substitute for quality ideas, policy initiatives, and experience over a full year's general election campaign. Ask Obama the difficult questions, and the ansers are murky.

Obama has brought life to Democrats and scored big in Iowa. The Clinton 100 million dollar machine, advisors, former President, major endorsements, and the Washington insiders that that they could jam inevitability down the throats of Iowa's voters. Instead, Obama rise to prominence shows that the people are not so taken by polls, pundits, and experts who "know everything" before votes are cast. The improbable has become possible. And though Clinton promises change, Obama promises change "you can believe in". Game-set-match!

Clinton may well win the large industrial states with her unbelievable political machine. But can she win the their hearts and minds when Obama is in the game? Liberals want change. They hated the war. Clinton gave the blank check for war and has never apologized. Liberals hate this. Obama, on the contrary, is the promise of hope. He is the promise of beleivable change.

Iowa, however, is a cruel state. Few first place winners run the table either for Republicans or Democrats. The black moguls await these inexperienced candidates. Both are likeable and intelligent. Huckabee, the soft-spoken teacher with just the right words comforting the people of our generation. Obama with incantations of Dr. King swirled together with sprinkles of JFK's elevated rhetoric, brings 240,000 promise-filled voters to Iowa caucuses who believe in a new day.

"Mr. Smith goes to Washington" has a new script this evening in Iowa. A Baptist minister turned governor of Arkansas and a newly minted African American Illinois Senator are re-writing the script, and possibly writing an entirely new book in 2008