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Huckabee and Obama take Iowa wins Huckabee and Obama take Iowa wins
(40 minutes later)
Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama have won the Iowa caucuses - the first nominating contest of the 2008 US presidential election.Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama have won the Iowa caucuses - the first nominating contest of the 2008 US presidential election.
Mr Huckabee won for the Republicans, defeating Mitt Romney.Mr Huckabee won for the Republicans, defeating Mitt Romney.
At the Democratic caucuses, Mr Obama won a close race to defeat Hillary Clinton and John Edwards - but it is still unclear who was second.At the Democratic caucuses, Mr Obama won a close race to defeat Hillary Clinton and John Edwards - but it is still unclear who was second.
Past Iowa caucuses can give big boosts to candidates. The next contest is on Tuesday in New Hampshire.Past Iowa caucuses can give big boosts to candidates. The next contest is on Tuesday in New Hampshire.
KEY DATES 3 Jan: Iowa caucuses8 Jan: New Hampshire primary15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey At-a-glance: 3 JanIowa state profileQ&A: Primaries and caucusesKEY DATES 3 Jan: Iowa caucuses8 Jan: New Hampshire primary15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: Nevada caucuses; South Carolina primary (Rep)26 Jan: South Carolina primary (Dem)29 Jan: Florida primary5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey At-a-glance: 3 JanIowa state profileQ&A: Primaries and caucuses
The victory for Baptist minister Mike Huckabee is seen as a huge blow for Mr Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, who has spent tens of millions of dollars more on his campaign. With nearly 80% of the results from more than 1,780 caucuses (or public meetings) counted, Mr Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister, polled 34% of the vote.
In the democratic race, Mr Obama, vying to become the first black US president, will now be hoping to build momentum for the rest of the race, the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Iowa says. Mr Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, secured 25% support.
Mr Edwards was holding a slight lead over Mrs Clinton in the fight for the second place, US media reported. The victory for Mr Huckabee is seen as a huge blow for Mr Romney, who has spent tens of millions of dollars more on his campaign.
Similar primaries or caucuses will take place across all American states before each party backs a single candidate to contest the November election for the White House. However, Mr Romney said the battle for the nomination was far from being lost.
"This is obviously a bit like a baseball game, first inning. Well, it's a 50-inning ball game. I'm going to keep on battling all the way and anticipate I get the nomination when it's all said and done," he told Fox News.
In the democratic race, Mr Obama won 38% of the vote, nearly complete results showed.
Mr Edwards and Mrs Clinton were polling 30% and 29% respectively.
"I think there was a hunger for change in this country," David Axelrod, Mr Obama's chief strategist, told Reuters news agency.
Mr Obama, a senator from Illinois vying to become the first black US president, will now be hoping to build momentum for the rest of the race, the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Iowa says.
However, both Mr Edwards and Mrs Clinton vowed to continue the fight for the Democratic nomination.
Similar caucuses or primaries will take place across all American states before each party backs a single candidate to contest the November election for the White House.
The Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary on 8 January are regarded as key for building momentum in the state-by-state process of winning the presidential nomination.The Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary on 8 January are regarded as key for building momentum in the state-by-state process of winning the presidential nomination.
Candidates who do poorly tend to drop out of the race.Candidates who do poorly tend to drop out of the race.
Polls from New Hampshire have indicated that the Republican contest is between Mr Romney and Senator John McCain, while for the Democrats Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama lead the field.Polls from New Hampshire have indicated that the Republican contest is between Mr Romney and Senator John McCain, while for the Democrats Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama lead the field.