Even a few months ago, did anyone truly think Barack Obama could pull this far ahead of Hillary Clinton, even if just in one state? For that matter, wasn’t McCain (once upon a time) the slated front-runner for the Republicans? Whoever laid odds on Obama and Huckabee won an unlikely round.

“During his speech following his victory in Thursday’s Iowa caucus, Senator Barack Obama sounded confident, inspired and ready to take the momentum into New Hampshire. It was most refreshing to see a strong turn out from younger people in Iowa and a general enthusiasm for and from Democrats. After all we’ve endured during the Bush years, it’s a most welcome sight.”
Crooks and Liars

The impressive turnout of young voters is perhaps the most compelling part of this event, whoever you support. In the past, young people have been known to rally strong grass-roots support before large political campaigns only to ultimately be poorly represented in the polls. Still, the real race is a ways off yet and anything could happen between now and then. For now, though, mainstream and social media agree: Barack pulled off something amazing in Iowa: