Obama turns back Clinton to win Iowa caucuses

Iowans voted in caucuses at 1,781 precincts from Adel to Zingle, in schools, firehouses and community centers.

The Iowa Democratic Party reported late Thursday that there had been a record turnout of 239,000 at the party's caucuses. In 2004, about 125,000 came out, the party said.

Turnout was also up on the Republican side, where projections showed about 114,000 people taking part. The last previous contested Republican caucuses in 2000 drew 87,666 participants.

"This is a great night for Democrats," Clinton said in her speech. "We have seen an unprecedented turnout here in Iowa, and that is good news because today we are sending a clear message that we are going to have change, and that change will be a Democratic president in the White House in 2009."

Born-again element among Republicans
In interviews as they entered the caucuses, more than half of all the Republicans said they were either born-again or evangelical Christians, and they liked Huckabee more than any of his rivals. Romney led handily among the balance of the Iowa Republican voters, according to the survey.

About half the Democratic caucus-goers said a candidate's ability to bring about needed change was the most important factor as they made up their minds, according to voters surveyed by NBC News and other news organizations as they entered the caucuses.

Change was Obama's calling card in the arduous campaign for Iowa's backing.

"They said this day would never come," Obama said Thursday night to cheering supporters of his bid to become the first black president. "They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided, too disillusioned to ever come together. But on this January night at this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do."

Fewer voters cited experience, which Clinton said was her strong suit, or a candidate's chance of capturing the White House or ability to care about people like the voters themselves.

Two who won't continue
Win or lose, there was little time for rest. New Hampshire's first-in-the nation primary is set for  Tuesday, and the campaign quickly accelerates into a rush of contests culminating in more than two dozen on Feb. 5.

But Dodd and Biden won't be competing in New Hampshire.

"Tonight I am withdrawing from the presidential race, but let me assure you, we are not ending this race with our heads hanging but with our heads held high," Dodd told about 100 supporters Thursday night.

Biden had similar words for supporters in Des Moines.

"There is nothing sad about tonight. We are so incredibly proud of you all," he said. "So many of you have sacrificed for me and I am so indebted to you. I feel no regret. I ain't goin' away."

Picking the president: The candidates Click to visit that candidate's MSNBC page or click the XML symbol for an RSS feed. John McCain                Barack Obama

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