This is about more than just Iowa, I think. Obama is the only Democratic candidate who I've found any enthusiam for among Independents and Republicans. They like him. More than they like Hillary or Edwards (at least per my very unscientific personal poll). The Washington Post has a story today noting that:
Overall, 40 percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers identified themselves as independents, the poll said, double the percentage from 2004, and 60 percent said they would be attending a caucus for the first time. Both groups preferred Obama.It doesn't mean Obama is my first choice, we're not divulging first choices, but it does suggest that he appeals beyond Democrats, and that's useful in a country where elections of late have been disturbingly divided 50-50, and we've lost far too many squeakers.
