The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

The Fact Checker

Did he really say that?

Republican leaders are accusing Barack Obama of calling Israel a "constant wound" in U.S. foreign policy. They have twisted the senator's words. (11:28 AM ET) | More »

THIS JUST IN

The Pre-Spin from West Virginia

The Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigns argue the meaning of tonight's likely Clinton win. --Eli Saslow | More »

McCain Supporting Pastor Apologizes

Pastor John Hagee apologized today in a letter to the Catholic League for comments that angered Catholic leaders. --Michael D. Shear | More »

McCain Breaks with Bush on Climate Change

John McCain broke sharply with President Bush today, arguing for mandatory curbs on greenhouse gas emissions and issuing emissions credits to polluters. --Juliet Eilperin | More »

Clinton Running Hard in West Virginia

Hillary Clinton presses her case in the sixth-to-last state to vote. --Anne E. Kornblut | More »

Archives

More Campaign '08

Politics Newsletter (M-F)

Multimedia

The Presidential Field

Calendar / Events

Interaction

Polls

Archive

January 3, 2008

A Prognosticator Who Got it Right

By Dan Balz DES MOINES -- Give Gordon Fischer the credit he deserves. The former...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 11:59 PM ET | Comments (3)

Obama's Moment

One day, Obama said, the American people will look back on the 2008 Iowa caucuses and say, "this is the moment when it all began."

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 11:30 PM ET | Comments (5)

Change Trumps Experience in Iowa

The Iowa caucuses are typically low-turnout affairs that are notoriously hard to predict, but this year, pre-election polls accurately captured the underlying dynamics of both party's contests. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama appealed to a change-oriented Democratic electorate, while former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee won the GOP race in large by picking up significant support among evangelicals. --Jon Cohen and Jennifer Agiesta

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 11:07 PM ET | Comments (5)

County By County Caucus Results

Iowa caucus results by county.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:52 PM ET | Comments (0)

Jubilant Huckabee Thanks Iowa Supporters

"Tonight what we have seen is a new day in American politics," Huckabee told a cheering crowd at his victory address.--Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:48 PM ET | Comments (12)

Edwards Team Sees Three-Way Race

The Edwards camp was counting on a stronger showing, but campaign manager David Bonior told a cheering crowd, "Change won!"

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:36 PM ET | Comments (16)

Clinton Campaign Looks Toward N.H.

"Our campaign was built for a marathon and we have the resources to run a national race in the weeks ahead," said campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:28 PM ET | Comments (65)

In Call, Clinton Concedes to Obama

Just before 10 p.m. est, Sen. Hillary Clinton called Sen. Barack Obama to concede the race in Iowa. --Anne E. Kornblut

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM ET | Comments (16)

Obama Camp Credits Youth Turnout

"Younger voters participated in far greater numbers than ever before," said Obama senior adviser David Axelrod as he studied the screen of his Blackberry, still appearing somewhat stunned at the returns. --Shailagh Murray

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 9:49 PM ET | Comments (45)

Romney Concedes Iowa to Huckabee

Former governor Mitt Romney (Mass.) conceded the Iowa caucuses to former governor Mike Huckabee even as his campaign sought to pivot its focus to the upcmoning New Hamphsire primary. --Chris Cillizza

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 9:44 PM ET | Comments (10)

Turnout Off the Charts

With 97.2 percent of the precincts reporting, the Iowa Democratic Party reported a record turnout of 232,000 caucus attendees.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 9:35 PM ET | Comments (25)

Inside Precinct 211

Caucus-goes arrive at the Jackson County Iowa Democratic Precinct 2 caucus at Kalmes, a...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 9:01 PM ET | Comments (6)

What Happens if It's Too Close to Call?

Would anyone have to stop the presses?

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 8:25 PM ET | Comments (5)

Huckabee Airs Anti-Romney Ad After All

The saga of Mike Huckabee's now infamous attack ad against Mitt Romney lives on. It turns out that the TV ad attacking Romney as "dishonest" -- which Huckabee vowed not to air -- actually ran three times in Iowa on New Year's Eve. --John Solomon

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 7:55 PM ET | Comments (38)

Edwards's 5-Year Iowa Campaign Draws to a Close

John Edwards awaits Iowa's verdict. (Getty Images). By Peter Slevin DES MOINES -- Unable...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 7:50 PM ET | Comments (0)

No Second Shot at V.P. For Lieberman

Appearing with McCain in New Hampshire, Lieberman says he's not seeking the number two spot on the ticket.--Juliet Eilperin

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 7:08 PM ET | Comments (13)

Huckabee: Run Will Continue Even Without Iowa Win

Mike Huckabee says he's in the presidential race for the long haul, even if he doesn't win in Iowa tonight.--Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 7:03 PM ET | Comments (7)

N.H. Senate Leader Endorses McCain

By Juliet Eilperin DERRY, N.H. -- New Hampshire Senate GOP leader Ted Gatsas endorsed Arizona...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 6:36 PM ET | Comments (0)

The View from New Hampshire

As the campaigns' Iowa organizations go into full gear to get their voters to caucus, their counterparts in New Hampshire are preparing for their own final assault, with only five days left until the primary on Tuesday. On the Democratic side, the battle on the ground here is shaping up as every bit as competitive as it is in Iowa, if slightly less intense. --Alec MacGillis

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 6:05 PM ET | Comments (3)

Caucusing For Clinton, Refreshments Included

One small snag on the way to the caucus.--Jose Antonio Vargas

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 5:46 PM ET | Comments (1)

Hoarse but Confident, Obama Draws a Crowd

Obama was thronged, as usual, in a Des Moines stop today. (Getty Images). By...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 5:28 PM ET | Comments (9)

A Tiny Iowa Paper and One Very Big Name: Obama

By Peter Slevin CARROLL, Iowa -- Douglas Burns, a columnist for the Daily Times Herald,...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 5:01 PM ET | Comments (9)

Caucus Day Viewing

The week in video from the Washington Post.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 3:43 PM ET | Comments (0)

Door-to-Door for Clinton

Caucus day is all about details -- and, in many instances, luck.--Jose Antonio Vargas

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 3:00 PM ET | Comments (0)

Skipping Early States All Part of Giuliani's Plan

Rudy Giuliani defends his strategy of skipping Iowa and looking forward to Florida and the Feb. 5 primary states.--Juliet Eilperin

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 2:44 PM ET | Comments (31)

Romney Harnesses Anti-McCain Voices

New ads from Mitt Romney and John McCain.--Howard Kurtz

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 2:32 PM ET | Comments (12)

On All Sides, Stakes Couldn't Be Higher

The Clinton team will take any kind of win possible - clean or narrow - and scamper out of Iowa feeling lucky. But it is the prospect of a possible Clinton defeat - particularly to Barack Obama -- that would radically reshape the Democratic nomination. --Dan Balz

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 2:24 PM ET | Comments (24)

Looking For Answers: What Iowa Could Change

Key questions the campaign could answer.--Dan Balz

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 1:35 PM ET | Comments (14)

Relaxed Romney Gets a Punch Line In

Don't count Mitt Romney out of the punch line primary yet.--Michael D. Shear

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 12:34 PM ET | Comments (5)

Huckabee's Sprint to the Finish

For Mike Huckabee, his first event on the day of the Iowa caucuses revealed the challenges to a win here: a lack of strong organization and money.--Perry Bacon Jr.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 12:17 PM ET | Comments (16)

A Biden-Obama Deal?

Sen. Joseph Biden wants to beat New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson tonight. And Sen. Barack Obama could help him do that.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 12:12 PM ET | Comments (60)

Home For Recess, And in Time to Caucus

By Rachel Dry The early January cold shouldn't bother Iowa's congressional delegation as much as...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 11:54 AM ET | Comments (0)

'A Perfect Day For Caucusing'

A Clinton precinct captain is optimistic at the start of this caucus day.--Jose Antonio Vargas

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:42 AM ET | Comments (5)

Giuliani's Lessons From Lincoln--and the 1980s Too

When it comes to picking role models for his future defense and foreign policy advisers, GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani sounds nostalgic for the 1980s.--Juliet Eilperin

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:32 AM ET | Comments (1)

No Tea Leaf Reading for Harkin, 'But What a Campaign!'

By Jose Antonio Vargas DES MOINES -- Tom Harkin, the Hawkeye State's junior senator, knows...

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:16 AM ET | Comments (2)

Rewriting the Rulebook

Starting tonight, the Rulebook of American Politics gets thrown out, or at least seriously rewritten. --Peter Baker

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 10:08 AM ET | Comments (23)

About That Independent Turnout

Questions about the validity of entrance polls.

Posted on January 3, 2008 at 9:01 AM ET | Comments (7)

 

© 2008 The Washington Post Company