Huckabee, Obama leave Iowa as front-runners  —  DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee have claimed victories in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.  —  With all Democratic precincts reporting, Obama had the support of 38 percent of voters, compared to 30 percent for John Edwards and 29 percent for Hillary Clinton.

Biden, Dodd to abandon White House runs  —  (CNN) — Delaware Sen Joe Biden will abandon his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, three sources tell CNN.  He is not expected to endorse any other candidate tonight.  —  A senior campaign aide tells CNN that Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd …

Obama stuns Clinton in Iowa while Huckabee shows his strength over Romney  —  (01-04) 04:00 PST Des Moines —  Des Moines - Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won a shocking victory Thursday in Iowa's Democratic caucuses, bringing out droves of enthusiastic new voters to easily outdistance …

Delivering  —  I think the manner of Barack Obama's win is pretty impressive.  I can't be the only one who was a bit inclined toward a cynical roll of the eyes at the idea of winning on the back of unprecedented turnout, mobilizing new voters, brining in young people, etc.

Preordained  —  Watching Chris Matthews, I just saw that Tim Russert has already booked John McCain as his featured interviewee for this Sunday.  Republican presidential candidate who won the Iowa Caucuses?  Well, sorry, you're out of luck.  It's already been decided that the “real” story out of Iowa is McCain....

Obama Wins Iowa: Why Everyone Has a Reason to Celebrate Tonight  —  Even if your candidate didn't win tonight, you have reason to celebrate.  We all do.  —  Barack Obama's stirring victory in Iowa — down home, folksy, farm-fed, Midwestern, and 92 percent white Iowa — says a lot about America …

Over the Hill  —  Peter and Rick's posts ought to be read together.  The Clintons' leadership of the Democratic Party was great for the Clintons, terrible for the Democratic Party: They lost the House, they lost the Senate, they lost state legislatures and governors' mansions …

Dare we dance on Hillary's political grave?  Update: Shell-shocked conservatives warn of hubris!  —  I don't want to jinx it, especially given the Clintons' knack for comebacks, but in this dark conservative hour we need a little light.  So take heart in this — as bad as I thought she'd do this afternoon, she actually did worse.

The State Of The Parties  —  Tonight was in many ways devastating news for the GOP.  Twice as many people turned out for the Democrats than the Republicans.  Clearly independents prefer the Dems.  —  Now look at how the caucus-goers defined themselves in the entrance polls.