Obama Soars to Iowa Victory, as Edwards, Clinton Adopt "Change" Motto

In a nod last night to popular musical Grease , in which faux 1950s teenagers endlessly warbled "Grease is the word...," Hillary Clinton and John Edwards both adopted the watchword CHANGE in the wake of their embarrassing defeats in the first vote of the 2008 presidential primary races .

Acknowledging his stunning victory last night, Sen. Barack Obama, standing alone, delivered an extraordinary speech about CHANGE that was strongly reminiscent of his inspiring words at the 2004 Democratic Convention. He humbly paid homage only to his wife, Michelle Obama, and to his hardworking supporters. Obama secured a whopping 38% of Iowa Democratic votes.

See Barack Obama's Stirring Iowa Victory Speech for the full text of his remarks which were accorded thunderous ovation and today, public accolades.

In contrast, Sen. Hillary Clinton, who garnered 29% of the vote for third place, delivered a gracious, upbeat speech in which she newly emphasized CHANGE... while she stood on a crowded stage flanked by former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and retired Army General Wesley Clark, all leftovers from an administration that ended almost a decade ago.

And in his snippy, pointedly non-concession speech, former Sen. John Edwards, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate four years ago, dropped his long-time "Two Americas" theme and droned forcefully (and endlessly) about CHANGE. John Edwards attracted 30% of Iowa votes, finishing barely ahead of Hillary Clinton.

CNN reported that Iowa Democrats overwhelmingly cited CHANGE as the #1 characteristic they sought in a candidate. And those citing CHANGE as the #1 attribute voted as follows:

• Barack Obama - 57%
• John Edwards - 14%
• Hillary Clinton - 11%

That CHANGE is important to Americans is no surprise given widespread, non-partisan discontent with both the White House and Congress, and after the incompetence, corrupt cronyism and outright lying of the Bush administration.

And it should be no surprise that Iowans would opt for leaders Obama and Huckabee... both from modest origins and whose wives lay claim to shopping at Target, not swank designer boutiques... rather than millionaires in the White House and Congress who use their powers to greedily push for more and more and MORE tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (including their own families) while public education and health disintegrate.

Yes, to everyday folks in Iowa, CHANGE sounds mighty appealing. Of course.

Clinton and Edwards as Change?

Hillary Clinton presented herself as the Democrat with the most experience, the deepest resume, and armed with the cleverest political strategist, former President Bill Clinton. Problem is... that strategy is the opposite of CHANGE.

And much as Sen. Clinton tried in fall 2007 to present herself paradoxically as the best of both worlds, her latter-day efforts failed miserably. To see Hillary Clinton on stage last night in Iowa, surrounded by seasoned professional politicos in their 60s and older, only reminds all Democrats that her 2008 candidacy is a throwback to a baby boomer-controlled era that's over.

John Edwards ran for the presidency four years ago, and was John Kerry's running mate in 2004. One news pundit last night cited that John Edwards has almost lived in Iowa for more than four years. That, alone, hardly qualifies Mr. Edwards to embody CHANGE. The Kerry-Edwards ticket lost disastrously to Bush-Cheney in 2004.

Further, Edwards has only been elected to state or federal office once, ten years ago in 1998, when he served one term in the U.S. Senate. Hardly current experience... and hardly evidence of intent to change the world. Simply put: Edwards, a very wealthy trial lawyer with a 20,000 square-foot mansion, did not symbolize change to Iowans.

Will Obama Win the 2008 Democratic Nomination?
The short answer is: Obama has the best chance among the three remaining Democratic contenders. But he's not (yet) a sure thing.

My next About.com column, which will be posted soon, will analyze the Obama, Clinton and Edwards campaigns going forward... and each of their chances to win the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

Meanwhile, listen carefully and you'll hear the loud strains of "CHANGE is the word..." sung to that familiar Grease tune.

(Photo taken on January 3, 2007: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Related Reading
2008 Presidential Primary Calendar (Political Current Events)
Barack Obama's Inspiring 2004 Democratic Convention Speech - Full Text
Obama's Stirring 2002 Speech Against the Iraq War
Obama and Huckabee: Shiny Similarities, Sharp Differences