‘The Status Quo Lost’

"What we have is a new day in American politics ... it starts here," the candidate said in his victory address, adding that "the first thing we've learned is that people really are more important than the purse ... I hope we will forever change the American political system." (The comment was a barely veiled shot at the former Massachusetts governor, who outspent Huckabee roughly 20 to 1)

Even Romney spun his second-place finish as evidence that people are tired of Washington politics as usual. In Iowa, "we heard something time and time again. People feel that Washington is broken. That Washington just can't get the job done," Romney said. "And Iowa said that tonight … On the Democratic side, a new face, Barack Obama. On our side the top two contenders here, the top two finishers, both people from outside Washington. You're gonna see change in Washington because America recognizes that we're not gonna change the nation and have a bright future if we just send the same old people to Washington in just different chairs. We need new faces in Washington and I intend to be one of them."

Still, Huckabee's road to the nomination doesn't get easier from here. Heading into New Hampshire, the former governor still lacks the organization and cash—as of last week, he had just $2 million in the bank—of his rivals. And his poll numbers in the Granite State aren't great. According to a Suffolk/WHDH poll of likely New Hampshire GOP primary voters (taken before the Iowa results were in), Huckabee polls at just 12 percent in the state, well behind John McCain (29 percent) and Romney (25 percent). While Huckabee may get an Iowa bounce in New Hampshire, the survey found that he had an unfavorable rating of 40 percent—the highest number of any presidential candidate, Democrat or Republican. Huckabee's faith message, which scored among evangelical voters in Iowa, might not translate as well among members of New Hampshire's flinty electorate.

Among others who were not unhappy with the Iowa results: McCain, whose campaign was all but declared dead six months ago but who was battling for third place with former senator Fred Thompson, despite hardly campaigning in Iowa at all. Before the Iowa results, Huckabee was polling well behind in New Hampshire, the first primary state, while Romney remained a real threat to McCain. The Arizona senator hailed Huckabee's win as proof that "you can't buy an election"—Romney has poured millions into his own campaign—and that "negative campaigns don't work." That was another thinly veiled jab at Romney, who has run several attack ads targeting both McCain and Huckabee.

John Edwards's supporters, initially dejected by Obama's victory because the former North Carolina senator had spent more time in Iowa than anyone, were boosted by his apparent win over Clinton. Since Obama outspent Edwards $6.5 million to $2.7 million in Iowa, losing to him by a few percentage points is as good as a victory, said Edwards aide Joe Trippi. "We've taken the momentum from him," said Trippi. "Who knows what we could've done if we'd spent like him? If you're looking for a campaign that should be concerned tonight, go look at the Clinton campaign. I think the loser here is Hillary Clinton."

Perhaps, but Clinton won't be going away anytime soon—unlike some other other members of the Democratic field. Among the first to exit were Democratic Sens. Chris Dodd and Joe Biden, both of whom polled in single digits—well behind the top tier. Another almost certain drop-out was Rep. Duncan Hunter on the Republican side, who finished far back in the pack. A smaller field will compete in New Hampshire five days from now—but no less fiercely.

With Karen Breslau, Suzanne Smalley, Matthew Philips and Holly Bailey in Iowa and Sarah Elkins in New Hampshire

© 2008