Covering the Iowa Caucus
January 3, 2008
CBNNews.com - I am in Iowa tonight with my producer Robin Mazyck and our crew covering all the top contenders in the caucus.
With Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee neck-and-neck in the polls on the Republican side; and Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton leading the Democratic polls, followed by John Edwards at a strong third place - it's going to be an interesting night to say the least.
Stay with CBNNews.com throughout the night for my coverage of the caucus.
Also, Robin and I will be giving you up to the minute blog reports of interesting tidbits along the way as we cover the various camps tonight.
Visit this blog page throughout the night for a link to my reporting and to read our blog entries as they're made below. Comments?
David - What Huckabee's Win Means for His Campaign, 11:59 pm EST
Ok, so Mike Huckabee may have won Iowa but how does it translate into winning the nomination? Can he do it? I outline the scenario being talked about by the Huckabee campaign here.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 11:29 pm EST
History was made in Iowa tonight. Barack Obama just took the stage thanking his supporters for caucusing for him. More than 1,000 people screamed at the top of their lungs as Obama, his wife Michelle and their two daughters made their way on stage.
"They said the state would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided or disillusioned to come," he said. "On this January night at this defining moment in history you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do. You did what the state of New Hampshire can do in five days. You can do what America can do."
So what's next? New Hampshire of course.
And with that, i'm signing off. It's back to the hotel to help David prepare for his 700 Club story tomorrow.
Hey David, thanks for letting me do this. It's something I could really get used to doing. hmmmm.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:56 pm EST
Am I at a disco or a campaign event? Right now they're playing Kool and the Gang's hit song "Celebration," and everybody is dancing, waving Obama signs and singing. Only 10 minutes before Obama takes the stage.
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 10:42 pm EST
Huckabee says it's not about the money raised. The people of Iowa said tonight they want change. He wants to bring this country together and not just be a bunch of Democrats and Republicans. "The greatest generations can be the ones who have yet to even be born," he says. He adds that his campaign is about "We the People."
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:42 pm EST
I am going to get a bit serious here.
Obama's win is much bigger in the grand scheme of things. Sure, he beat Hilary Clinton and John Edwards, but he's become the first viable African-American candidate who could win this thing. I asked Josh Earnest, Obama's Iowa communications director, about this and he said the implications are far reaching. He said this goes to show America that Obama is the kind of candidate who can bridge the political parties and the races.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:38 pm EST
I just received word from the Obama campaign that Senator Obama will take the stage in 30 minutes. In the meantime, the cheers and the chants continue. And the band plays on...
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 10:37 pm EST
Huckabee is on the stage right now. "I love Iowa a whole lot tonight," he says. People are going crazy with more "We like Mike" chants. He calls this a "new day in American politics," but it doesn't end here. It ends at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:37 pm EST
Oh my gosh!! You have to be here to see how awesome this marching band is! It's unbelievable. They just started playing. They are actualy a drum corp made up of kids from the Des Moines area. If you've ever seen a band from a historically black college -- you'll understand what i'm talking about. Kind of reminds me of my high school days at CA Johnson in South Carolina. Move over FAMU... there are some kids here in the heart of America that would give you a run for the money.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:31 pm EST
Okay, so I just read one of Brody's blogs, and it's not fair. He's over at the Huckabee campaign headquarters eating chips and salsa. But my photographer and I are at the Obama event -- trying to sneak out and order food. Wait! The FOX affiliate standing next to us just offered us some of their chips... how nice of them.
David - Mike Huckabee Headquarters, 10:22 pm EST
Mike Huckabee is about to take stage. The crowd is jammed in like sardines. I'm sweating. I need to change my shirt. But more importantly, we've witnessed as close to a political miracle tonight as you'll probably see. Ed Rollins, Huckabee's campaign advisor, just told the crowd that Iowa matters and we're on our way to the nominations.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:12 pm EST
The cheers continue here at Obama's campaign headquarters. The hall is packed. There are probably about 750 people here. And what's that I see? A marching band! That's right. There's a marching band lined up in the hall, getting ready to play a couple of tunes. They're all dressed in yellow t-shirts and black pants.
Wow! This is absolutely amazing!
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:07 pm EST
Barack Obama's Iowa campaign is on fire! Everyone I've spoken with since the news about Obama's win says they're reveling in the moment, but they're continuing to look towards the future and New Hampshire and South Carolina and Michigan and Florida...
In fact, after Obama gives his speech here, he will immediately hop on a plane and head to New Hampshire.
And of course David Brody, the crew and I will follow him. We head to New Hampshire tomorrow too.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 10:01 pm EST
I just finished another conversation with Bill Burton, Barack Obama's national press secretary and he is ecstatic. He told me that tonight's win is proof that Obama's message has been heard loud and clear. It's also proof that young people can get out and vote.
So what's next? The campaign plans to continue to ride this wave of momentum all the way to New Hampshire. Burton said they're not taking anything for granted and will continue to work hard, campaign hard and move forward.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 9:58 pm EST
The atmosphere here is ELECTRIC! There's a lot of excitement here at the Hyvee Hall now that Obama has been declared the winner of the Iowa Caucuses. People are chanting, hugging, cheering, clapping and stomping their feet. "O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA," That's all that can be heard right now. Obama is expected to speak shortly. It's hard to imagine that this crowd can get anymore pumped up.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquarters, 9:33 pm EST
Everyone is cheering and shouting! MSNBC is projecting that Obama is the winner.
More caucus goers are beginning to arrive here at Hyvee Hall in Des Moines. There are about 100 Obama supporters standing in front the large platform where Obama will soon give his speech. They are watching the results on these two gigantic monitors. Gotta run and get reaction.
I'll have another posting soon.
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 9:30 pm EST
This room is nearly full now. The people here are absolutely giddy. Remember, this is a guy who was polling in the low single digits in August and didn't really take off until 8 weeks ago. Fascinating. More chants of "we like Mike."
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 9:21 pm EST
I just finished a conversation with Barack Obama's national press secretary Bill Burton. Burton says everyone's "feeling so good." He also said he's not surprised by early poll numbers that show a virtual dead heat between Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Obama.
The campaign is just watching and waiting like the rest of us.
David - Mike Huckabee Headquarters, 9:18 pm EST
Most networks, if not all of them are calling this race now for Huckabee. The room is filling up and people are hugging and smiling everywhere. There's a sense of peace and relief here because of all those negative attack ads Romney ran. Chants of "we like Mike" are reverberating all around the ballroom.
Huckabee's campaign manager Chip Saltsman just held an impromptu news conference with the media here in the ballroom at the Huckbee headquarters. He says they are proud of their organization and they aren't worried about McCain in New Hampshire. Saltsman says they are just going to run their own campaign and let the chips fall where they may. Click here for my analysis of Huckabee's win.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 9:12 pm EST
The tension here at the Obama campain headquarters is starting to thicken. Slowly, but surely estimates are starting to trickle in, and every time new poll numbers are announced you can hear audible sighs.
CNN just projected Mike Huckabee the winner on the Republican side and there was a collective gasp by everyone.
All the reporters began rethinking their live shots, calling their producers and reworking their scripts.
Even though I'm surrounded by Obama signs and campaign staff -- all the attention seems to be on Huckabee.
We're all watching and waiting...
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 8:57 pm EST
Romney's interview is on the screen right now. He's being interviewed by FOX News and is talking like he has all but conceded Iowa. A Huckabee supporter just yelled at the screen, "That's what you get for going negative."
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 8:52 pm EST
Huckabee's campaign manager, Chip Saltsman, just took the stage here and told the crowd that you can not buy this election in Iowa, a clear reference to the money Romney spent here. He says things look good right now and that they are getting reports that the lines at caucus events are out the door in many places. Long lines is good news for Huckabee and Obama. If Romney loses tonight, it's a setback. If he loses big tonight, it could be more than that.
Polls now show that with 15 percent of precincts reporting Huckabee has 36-23 advantage over Romney.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 8:51 pm EST
I just caught up with Josh Earnest who is Barack Obama's Iowa communications director, and he said the entire campaign is extremely "optimistic."
Obama spent the day visiting caucus goers here in the Hawkeye State. He even went so far as to make a few phone calls to voters. (Can you imagine? Getting a real phone call from your favorite candidate -- and not one of those grainy, recorded messages?)
Earnest went on to thank all their enthusiastic supporters and volunteers who've worked so faithfully the past eleven months. We'll see if it pays off...
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 8:47 pm EST
The word here at Huckabee campaign headquarters is that the night is going very well so far. Poll results and exit polls look good and early indications are that Evangelical Christians have turned out in droves. A senior Huckabee advisor just came up to me and said he thinks this thing is going to be over very early. We'll see. People here are cheering every poll number that flashes on screen
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 8:08 pm EST
The food here is great. Chips, salsa, cheese, crackers, meatballs, etc. The chicken fingers are a little dry. Room here is about 1/4 full. Campaign expecting results by 10pm eastern or so, unless it's really really close.
David - Mike Huckabee Headquaters, 7:41 pm EST
Just finished an interview with Huckabee's top campaign advisor Ed Rollins. He had harsh words for both Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani and talks about campaign strategy watch it by clicking here.
David - Mike Huckabee Headquarters, 7:34 pm EST
Very interesting development taking place right how. About 10 or so Huckabee supporters are in the middle of this ballroom event praying in a circle. They are praying for this country and talking about Jesus' death on the cross…and they are all wearing Huckabee stickers. The media is surrounding them and you know this is going to be the "evangelical photo op" of the night. ABC, CNN and yes CBN all there to cover up. Will follow up as to who they are once they are done praying. Click here for video.
Robin - Barack Obama Headquaters, 7:30 pm EST
David left me! He's over at the Huckabee Campaign headquaters. So I'm doing a bit of guest blogging for The Brody File. I'm here at Obama's headquaters where the media circus has already begun. I just spoke with an official from Obama's campaign. More than 700 media outlets have requested access to tonight's event! There are reporters everywhere! CBN News was able to secure a very nice location, so when David appears on The 700 Club tomorrow morning -- he'll have GREAT video for his story. At any rate, I'm off to chat with more Obama officials. I'll have more soon, so be sure to check back.
David - Mike Huckabee Headquarters, 7:12 pm EST
Hey, I'm here at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines, Huckabee central, 135 media credentials issued. The mood here is extremely upbeat and optimistic. Just talked to Chip Saltsman, Huckabee's campaign manager who told me that if his guy wins tonight then the story is how they were totally outspent and won anyway. Huckabee is on his way here now from Waterloo, Iowa and will relax in his hotel room and have a little dinner. I'm told by top aides that he's tired but ready.
Comments?
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