Obama and Iowa make history

Last Modified: 04 Jan 2008
By: Jon Snow, Sarah Smith

Des Moines, in Iowa, has put a black candidate for the first time ever at the top of a presidential election poll.

Des Moines, in Iowa, becomes the city to make history by putting a black candidate for the first time ever at the top of a presidential election poll.

It was already guaranteed to be a dramatic run-up to the big poll in November, but the contest was given an early jolt of electricity last night.

The Democratic race in the Iowa caucuses went to Barack Obama, the man described as a force for change.

Iowa results

Democrats

Obama: 37.6 per cent
Edwards: 29.7 per cent
Clinton: 29.5 per cent
Richardson: 2.1 per cent

Republicans

Huckabee: 34.6 per cent
Romney: 25.3 per cent
Thomson: 13.4 per cent
McCain: 13.1 per cent
Paul: 10 per cent
Giuliani: 3.5 per cent

The next contest is on Tuesday in New Hampshire. Opinion polls from there indicate that the Democratic race will be between Senator Hillary Clinton - averaging 32 per cent of the vote - and Barak Obama, currently on 26 per cent.

The Republican contest is close, between Senator John McCain and Mitt Romney, with McCain currently on 34 per cent and Romney on 30 per cent.