This is very good news. Over the past few years I have been commenting upon the reasons why I thought Obama's communication style and political ethos had a really good chance of winning the Presidency in 2008, but it is good to see that he has in fact been able to succeed in at least one primary.

A record turnout of 229,000 Democrat and Independent voters came out to caucus in Iowa. This is true testimony to what is possible when an inspiring candidate speaks out for unity and change in a compelling way. Whatever the naysayers' reasons, Obama has proven able to mobilize people in a common direction which goes beyond white and black America. Given the need he has to overcome the inherent doubt amidst African American voters, Obama's win in Iowa will potentially have much more far reaching repercussions than it might have had for other candidates. Given Richardson's poor showing, many of his supporters may now turn to Obama. Kucinich has already vowed his support of Obama.

So too, Obama is the kind of candidate to bridge the divide between red and blue America and reach out to cross over Republicans and Independent voters. The Independents played a significant part in Iowa, and given New Hampshire's electorate is largely Independent, his cross over potential could play a significant factor there as well. Furthermore, in the last election thirty percent of Republican Evangelical Christians said they would vote Democrat if the right candidate came along.  Obama is a centrist Democrat with overtly Christian values. Earlier this year he played a role in a large Evangelical conference hosted by Saddleback's pastor Rick Warren which focused upon social issues in Africa . Many Evangelical Christians have become more concerned about social justice on a national and global level and Obama's platform speaks to many of these concerns in a way that they can identify with. It looks as though Obama is one of the strongest candidates when polled beyond Democratic only caucuses on a national level.