The Obama Factor

Will Senator Barack Obama pull off an upset in Iowa, and
beat Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator John Edwards?
That is the question.
He is doing the ground-work, his campaign staff is in full
swing, having set up twenty offices in Iowa , going through
the state, knocking on doors, trying to make sure they do
everything they can, in order to have a first place finish in the
Iowa caucus.
It is setting up to be a very close contest, as his democratic
rivals for the nomination are doing the same thing.

There is a
virtual tie for first place in Iowa among the three top candidates,
Senators Clinton, Edwards and Obama.
It has been said that Senator Obama must win in Iowa, or
come in with a strong second place finish, or the game may
be over. If Senator Clinton wins in Iowa, there is speculation
among the pundits, that her twenty point lead in the national polls,
could mean, that everybody else might as well turn out the lights
and go home until next time.
Senator Obama has been extraordinary in bringing out the
crowds wherever he goes and inspiring the masses with his
message of hope and a new brand of politics, but the fire has
not turned into confidence by the democratic voters in the polls.

He has amassed an enormous amount of money, since he started
campaigning. But the Clinton campaign has gotten better and better
with their message and with Senator Clinton’s strong performance
at the debates. While Senator Obama has stayed at the same level or
has gone backwards in national polling of late.
The promise of a new voice in the beginning, was very enticing,
but competing like a gentleman and a scholar does not seem to
have completely won the hearts of the democratic voters
who will choose the nominee. Those who will make the choice
seem to want a little more fire power from Senator Obama, or
they may feel that the experience that Senator Clinton has, along
with the fact that former President Bill Clinton will be in the mix
if Senator Clinton wins the nomination, may be too strong a team
to cast aside in favor of the new kid on the block.

Iowa, may determine the whole story. If Senator Clinton wins,
the momentum generated by that win, will probably propel her
to become the nominee. If Senator Obama wins, he may be able
to push forward, with so much cash on hand, causing an upset
of massive proportions.
We will certainly be watching, to see if changes in the old politics
as usual, will win out over the supposed status quo. It’s a tough
game to play, and a tougher one to win. Two good teams are
competing, we’ll be there to check the score at the end.
May the best and most capable cross the finish line first, in relatively
good shape, with the ability to go the rest of the way.
Good luck to both teams.