Real Clear Politics breaks down the delegate count and shows the Republican race is still fluid. To see more go to Real Clear Politics.

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HuckaBOOM!
Comes the Revolution?
Christian conservatives do not explain the whole Mike Huckabee win.
His authenticity and populist message struck a chord with heartland middle income and blue collar values voters.
That populism will now be expanded to emphasize fair trade, a tough but compassionate approach to illegal immigration reform, and the “fair tax” (replace income taxes with a 23% sales tax)
These will be among the things Huckabee will use to cast himself as the outsider against John McCain (ironic since McCain is often criticized as a maverick, but he was the chairman of the senate commerce cmte) and Mitt Romney who he has already cast as too rich to be able to connect with average folks.
McCain had an edge in NH against Romney, in a three way race including Huckabee, McCain may be even more strenghtened now.
Obama’s big win will inspire independents in NH…bad news for Rudy Giuliani who was counting on Indies for a respectable first primary showing.
Money matters.
Romney looks even worse having outspent Huckabee 10-1 in Iowa. Huckabee will enjoy a fundraising windfall now and the press will be huge, But Romney is a mult millionaire and willing to keep spending “for the long haul.”
Giuliani, McCain, Thompson all have cash problems. Not so Mitt.
Romney and Huckabee aides agree tonite was an anti washington message, and they note Obama’s change message is part of that.
Huckabee knows NH is far more secular than Iowa or South Carolina. Earlier this wk, Huckabee aides routinely said if they won they would next emphasize SC. That will shift now as they embrace the magnitude of tonites win and make a renewed effort in NH…
As one aide put it “this is a big wave, we can surf anywhere now.” That may be overconfident but with two debates this weekend and a record of strong debate performances, Huckabee knows a moment is at hand.

Gov Huck did no public campaigning with Iowans today. With 4 days left NO RETAIL GET OUT THE VOTE RALLIES??????

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If Huck wins the caucuses, his new ads may be credited with halting his slide. If he comes up short people may wonder if this lost Sunday, lost him the race.

The Iowa Republican caucuses are a toss up. Mike Huckabee’s arrived. Mitt Romney’s not gone. BUT today Romney, who may well win, laid claim to victory in second. It’s hardly an original strategy, in the EXPECTATIONS GAME that is “the first in the nation.”

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After campaigning with her mother for two days in Iowa last week, Hillary Clinton is giving the Hawkeye State even more time with her mom — airing a TV ad featuring Dorothy Rodham addressing why her daughter should be the next president.

Speaking directly into the camera, Mrs. Rodham says she’d like people to know “what a good person” Hillary is, and how much she’s done to help women. She talks about her daughter’s childhood and her empathy for others over childhood photos and video of the Clinton women in the kitchen, with the caption “Hillary’s mom lives with her.”

The ad ends with Mrs. Rodham saying, “I think she ought to be elected, even if she weren’t my daughter.” done

IF THE REPUBLICANS COULDN’T DISCUSS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND IRAQ…WILL THE DEMS BE DENIED THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT JUDGMENT, EXPERIENCE AND CREDIBILITY???

For the first time in the 2008 presidential primary, yesterday, GOP presidential contender, Alan Keyes was on the stage with all the other GOP candidates. But today, at the democratic debate, there will be two fewer at the podiums. Mike Gravel and Dennis Kuchinich are not allowed to participate! What gives?

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1. Candidates must have filed an FEC Form F-2 Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, and

2. Candidates must have publicly announced an intention to run for the nomination of the Republican or the Democratic Party for President of the United States, and

3. Candidates must have had a campaign office inside the State of Iowa as of October 1, 2007, and

4. Candidates must have employed at least one paid campaign staff representative to perform full-time campaign duties in the State of Iowa on behalf of the candidate since at least October 1, 2007, and

5. Candidates must have had at least a 1% support showing in the Des Moines Register October, 2007 Iowa Poll.

A Des Moines Register insider says Alan Keyes told them before the Oct 1st qualification deadline he had a staffer and office.

The Iowa republican party which tracks candidate organization meticulously says it has no record of Keyes having had any campaign headquarters or staff at all this year.

The Keye’s web page says his campaign headquarters is in Utah. There is no contact info for anyone in any other state.

The phone number goes to an answering machine and provides no other information

As for choice of moderator Register officials say it is a long tradition that the papers’ managing editor do the job.

Like several of his GOP colleagues, John McCain says he had hoped Wednesday’s debate in Des Moines would focus more on Iraq and immigration. done

At times, dark horse candidate Alan Keyes seemed to dominate the discussion with his anti-establishment rants, cutting down on time for other candidates to speak. done

Senator McCain raised eyebrows in the press room during the debate, when he promised to push for “oil independence” for the U.S. in five years. He later clarified that remark, saying he meant “oil security.” done

Marion, IA

Governor Romney addressed a packed holiday dinner at the Linn-Mar High School in Marion, Iowa this evening. This was the largest crowd of supporters I have seen with around five to six hundred in attendance.

The presidential hopeful spoke with his wife, Ann and was full of his trademark “aw shucks” humor and definitely garnered some laughs from the audience.

Romney often talks about his son, Josh, visiting all 99 counties in Iowa to stump for his father, a plan that was originally Mrs. Romney’s idea. Tonight when reciting the story of Josh buying a Winnebago on Ebay and packing his family up to travel around Iowa the Governor recounted the story with Josh asking his mom, “Do you know how many counties there are in Iowa?” The Governor continued, “99 bloomin’ counties!” The Governor often uses folksy, 1950s style phrasing, but “bloomin’ counties” is one of the best I’ve heard. I am going to try and keep track of all the “Golly Gee” moments on the blog, so keep checking back.

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Another funny moment came this evening when the former Iowa frontrunner went through the states that he is going to win a la the Howard Dean yell, “I’m going to be in Nevada and I’m going to win Nevada. I’m going to be in Wyoming and I’ll win that one and Michigan and we are going to end up doing real darn well.” But, the Governor stopped before an embarrassing scream took place, “Brian over hear was afraid that I was going to scream as I said that. The Howard Dean moment, but I’m not doing that. No predictions like that and no screaming allowed!”

Governor Romney continues campaigning in Iowa tomorrow and then goes to San Diego for a fundraiser.

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Cedar Rapids, IA — Rudy Giuliani said he found Wednesday’s GOP debate “unsatisfying” because it left out some of the “biggest issues” facing the country.

“One of the things that I found unsatisfying about the debate today was that it cut off discussing Iraq and illegal immigration. They are two of the biggest issues that face us,” Giuliani told a town hall forum at Coe College Wednesday evening. He discussed his reaction in response to a student’s question about the origins of terrorism.

He was then asked for further comment by another forum attendee. Referring to the moderator of today’s Iowa Public Radio/Des Moines Register debate, Carolyn Washburn, he added, “I think she did a good job of asking the questions she asked. But I think it was a mistake to leave out terrorism, Iraq, Iran and immigration.”

He’s railing against “elites”… accusing the moderator of a conspiracy to keep him silent… and pitching his website from the podium

As Campaign Carl predicted, Alan Keyes was in fine form at this afternoon’s debate. The energy! The eloquence! The anti-establishment rants!

You don’t always know what he’s talking about, but he says it with such vigor and absolute conviction that he at least gets credit for keeping the discussion lively, and the other candidates on their toes.