Huckabee, Obama Victorious in Iowa Caucuses

The Iowa Caucuses are finally history. By now you know the winners ... former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee for the Republicans and Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the Democrats. Both won decisively.

Who lost? Obviously Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards did not finish first, but they are all still very much alive. Edwards wanted desperately to win Iowa and now he and Senator Clinton limp into New Hampshire.

Yet, limping is better than not going at all. Senator John McCain awaits Huckabee and Romney has significant support in the granite state as well.

Hard to believe that in the next 32 days 24 states will hold primaries - 24! By the night of Feb. 5 the nominees may have been selected. The conventions aren't until late summer ... the general election in November ... months away!

This is the 11th presidential race I have covered in my career. All have had their elements of excitement, surprise, disappointment and relevance. I saw blood on the heads of protestors in Chicago's Grant Park in 1968, heard about a break-in at Democratic Party headquarters in 1972, saw a southerner elected in 1976, an actor in 1980 and '84, the first President Bush in '88, another southerner in '92 and '96, another Bush in 2000 and 2004.

Now, 2008 and the race is still wide open ... somewhat tighter than before Thursday night ... but still anyone's to claim.

I am honored to have been a part of the system than chronicled these events.

To those of you who doubt the process ... don't give up on it. The system has never given up on you. Talk about the candidates. Debate the issues. Argue your point. Don't lose your passion for what you believe. But whatever you do ... register. Vote. Take ownership in your future.