Edwards ekes out second-place finish

DES MOINES -- Barack Obama, the only African-American in the Senate, scored a decisive victory in Iowa's Democratic caucuses, buoyed by a record-shattering influx of new voters.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose campaign had an air of inevitability because she had more than $100 million in fundraising and a lead in national polls, appeared to finish a close third to John Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee.

"On this January night, in this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do," Obama told a cheering crowd of supporters, who chanted his name.

Edwards told his supporters: "The one thing clear from the results in Iowa tonight is the status quo lost and change won."

Clinton focused on the turnout, calling it "a great night for Democrats" that signaled a big win in the race for the White House this fall. "We have always planned to run a national campaign," she said, vowing to head "on to New Hampshire," where voters go to the polls Tuesday.

Obama's gamble that he would be able to induce young people, independents and even some Republicans to come out in support of his candidacy on a cold winter night appeared to pay off as reports poured in of massive jumps in participation statewide.

Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat who remained neutral in the race, said he believed more than 200,000 people attended his party's caucuses. The previous record was 122,000, set in 2004.

At the Edmunds Academy of Fine Arts near downtown, 248 people showed up at the Democratic caucus, compared with 130 in 2004. "There's something there that didn't get them to come out four years ago," said Scott Slaughter, who supported Clinton.

In Clear Lake, a town near Iowa's northern border, the crowds were so great that caucusgoers had to move to a nearby church, said Obama precinct captain Lisa Stokke.

The three top Democrats said their party was the winner in Iowa. "Together we have made the case for change and made it absolutely clear that America needs a new beginning," Clinton said.