Obamania

Barack Obama has certainly made it an exciting race in Iowa. Most polls show that he is virtually tied with Hillary Clinton and John Edwards in the Hawkeye State.

His campaign has been focusing on the great change he would bring to Washington as an untainted outsider. He has also been emphasizing change through hope and about working across the aisle to achieve his goals.

He claims that this is a major drawback of Mrs. Clinton, in that she is a polarizing figure and would further divide the nation.

Obama’s appeal is largest among young and highly educated voters. They like his willingness and ability to work across party lines, and are captivated by his magnificent oratory skills.

The only problem is that they are not the most reliable voting block. However, if they show up in big numbers in Iowa on January 3rd, it is likely that he will win the state.

Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign, especially Bill, relentlessly attack him as having too little experience to run the country.

They also say that hope is not enough to achieve the change that almost all Democrats want. They believe that hard work is the only way achieve change, while the Edwards campaign believes that demanding change will solve America's problems.

Obama has recently pulled even with Clinton in New Hampshire and South Carolina, making the January 3rd Iowa caucuses that much more important.

If he wins the caucuses decisively, it could give him the momentum to win New Hampshire, South Carolina and many of the other early states.

If he finishes behind Hillary, it is likely that he will have a difficult time in the states that follow, because of the massive bounce that Iowa winners usually get.

However, if the Obama campaign can get out the youth vote, he has a good chance to win, provided he makes no major gaffes on the way.