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US contenders eye next key state US contenders eye next key state
(about 2 hours later)
White House hopefuls have headed to New Hampshire to campaign for Tuesday's party nomination vote, after Iowa's result threw the races wide open.White House hopefuls have headed to New Hampshire to campaign for Tuesday's party nomination vote, after Iowa's result threw the races wide open.
Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee emerged victorious there in the first contest of the 2008 US presidential election.Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee emerged victorious there in the first contest of the 2008 US presidential election.
Former Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton said she remained optimistic after ending a surprise third. Former Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton said she remained optimistic after finishing a surprise third.
Both Iowa and New Hampshire can give momentum to contenders' campaigns. Both Iowa and New Hampshire can boost contenders' campaigns.
All the major candidates are fanning out across New Hampshire for political events before the primary vote takes place on 8 January.All the major candidates are fanning out across New Hampshire for political events before the primary vote takes place on 8 January.
Marathon raceMarathon race
Mr Obama - a 46-year-old first-term senator from Illinois who aims to become the first US black president - said his message of change had resonated with Iowa's young voters.Mr Obama - a 46-year-old first-term senator from Illinois who aims to become the first US black president - said his message of change had resonated with Iowa's young voters.
Years from now, you'll look back and say that this was the moment America remembered what it means to hope Barack ObamaDemocratic candidate Iowans hail 'turning point'At-a-glance: 3 JanSend your comments We need a president who won't just call for change, or a president that won't just demand change, but a president who will produce change Hillary ClintonDemocratic candidate Iowans hail 'turning point'At-a-glance: 3 JanSend your comments
He won the Democratic caucuses by a clear margin, taking 38% of the vote, defeating John Edwards (30%), who edged ahead of Senator Clinton.He won the Democratic caucuses by a clear margin, taking 38% of the vote, defeating John Edwards (30%), who edged ahead of Senator Clinton.
"They said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high," he told supporters. He said on Friday: "Last night the American people began down the road to change.
"Years from now, you'll look back and you'll say that this was the moment, this was the place where America remembered what it means to hope." "And four days from now, New Hampshire, you have the chance to change America."
In the Republican race, Mr Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister, won with 34% of votes. Analysts say he rode a wave of evangelical Christian support.In the Republican race, Mr Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister, won with 34% of votes. Analysts say he rode a wave of evangelical Christian support.
'Down but not out' Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who aims to become the first Mormon US president, came a distant second with 25%, despite outspending Mr Huckabee on campaigning in Iowa by nearly 20 to one.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who aims to become the first Mormon US president, came a distant second with 25%, despite outspending Mr Huckabee on campaigning in Iowa by nearly 20 to one. Momentum
Results from Iowa's 1,780 caucuses (or public meetings) showed turnout had risen markedly, particularly for the Democrats, and the Republicans. Political pundits do not rate chances of success in New Hampshire for Mr Huckabee, who was seen as a virtual unknown outside his native Arkansas until two months ago.
Hillary Clinton needs to rebound in New Hampshire, correspondents say He said on Friday: "We only have a few days to close the sale, but I think the momentum coming out of Iowa is going to be good for us."
Mr Huckabee, a virtual unknown outside his native Arkansas until two months ago, told his cheering supporters: "We proved that American politics is still in the hands of people like you." Mr Romney said the battle for the nomination was far from being lost.
Political pundits do not rate Mr Huckabee's chances of success in New Hampshire and he himself told reporters he thought Arizona Senator John McCain would take the next state. Mitt Romney is up against John McCain in New Hampshire
Polls from New Hampshire indicate that the Democratic race is between Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama, while the Republican contest is between Mr Romney and Mr McCain, a former Vietnam war prisoner. "It will be a different race here," he said in New Hampshire.
Polls from the New England state indicate the Democratic race is between Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama, while the Republican contest is between Mr Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain, a former Vietnam war prisoner.
New York Senator Clinton, 60, who claims Mr Obama lacks experience, darted to New Hampshire to hit the campaign trail early on Friday morning.
The former first lady - aiming to become the first woman US president - arrived at a campaign event with her husband ex-President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea.
She told voters: "We need a president who won't just call for change, or a president that won't just demand change, but a president who will produce change. Just like I've been doing for 35 years."
'Glitz and glamour'
Mr Edwards also vowed to press on, although he trails Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton in polls and in campaign funds.
On the stump in New Hampshire, he said: "I am not the candidate of money, I am not the candidate of glitz, I am not the candidate of glamour, nor do I claim to be. But what I am... is the people's candidate."
Democratic veterans Chris Dodd and Joe Biden said late on Thursday they were bowing out after poor showings in Iowa.
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 Iowa state profileQ&A: Primaries and caucuses
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has been leading the Republican national polls, did not campaign in Iowa as he has adopted a strategy of focusing on larger states, such as Florida, which holds its primary on 29 January.Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has been leading the Republican national polls, did not campaign in Iowa as he has adopted a strategy of focusing on larger states, such as Florida, which holds its primary on 29 January.
Wide open race Thursday's Iowa caucuses sounded the starting gun in the process to pick which Democratic and Republican candidates will run in the November presidential election.
Thursday's Iowa caucuses sounded the starting gun in the process to pick which Democratic and Republican candidates will run in the November presidential election to replace President George W Bush.
Immediately ahead lies a marathon five-week state-by-state race of party nomination battles, which is set to culminate in "Super Duper Tuesday" on 5 February, when more than 20 states hold primary votes.Immediately ahead lies a marathon five-week state-by-state race of party nomination battles, which is set to culminate in "Super Duper Tuesday" on 5 February, when more than 20 states hold primary votes.
A Republican caucus is being held in Wyoming on Saturday but so far no candidate has announced plans to head west for that contest.A Republican caucus is being held in Wyoming on Saturday but so far no candidate has announced plans to head west for that contest.
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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7051400.stm">Iowa state profile class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7049207.stm">Q&A: Primaries and caucuses The parties will not formally select their candidates until their presidential conventions in August and September although the nominees are likely to be determined well before then.
Mr Romney said the battle for the nomination was far from being lost. The eventual winner will replace President George W Bush, who is constitutionally-barred from seeking a third term.
"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. Analysts say the 2008 campaign is the most open race in more than 50 years, with no sitting president or vice president seeking their party's nomination.
Democratic veterans Chris Dodd and Joe Biden said late on Thursday they were bowing out after poor showings in Iowa.
New York Senator Clinton, 60, who claims Mr Obama lacks experience, vowed to focus on the remainder of the fight for the Democratic nomination.
The former first lady, who now needs a win to reinvigorate her battle to become the first woman US president, darted to New Hampshire for a morning rally early on Friday.
"We have always planned to run a national campaign all the way through the early contests," said Mrs Clinton, flanked by her husband - ex-president, Bill Clinton.
Mr Edwards also vowed to press on, although he trails senators Obama and Clinton in polls and in campaign funds.
The parties will not formally select their candidates until their presidential nominating conventions in August and September although the nominees are likely to be determined well before then.
Analysts say the 2008 campaign is the most open presidential race in more than 50 years, with no sitting president or vice president seeking their party's nomination.