Barack Obama proclaimed that if New Hampshire gives him the same chance that Iowa did tonight, "I will be the president of America."

A crowd of thousands jubilantly greeted Obama as he took the stage at Hy-Vee Hall.

"They said this day would never come" Obama said.

Speaking before his supporters, he promised he would continue his message of hope into New Hampshire and beyond in his pursuit of the presidency.

Obama thanked his supporters for doing "what the cynics said we couldn't do."

"Together, ordinary people can do extraordinary things because we are not a collection of red states and blue states," Obama said. "We are the United States of America at this moment, in this election, we are ready to believe again."

At various spots in the speech, the crowd chanted "Obama" and "U.S.A." as Obama continued to stress his theme of hope.

"We are choosing hope over fear. We're choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message that change is coming to America," Obama said.

He thanked those who worked for his campaign and remembered his days as an organizer on the streets of Chicago. He told them he could relate to the frustrating nights that come along with a campaign and but told "sometimes there are nights like this."

"You'll be able to look back with pride and say this is the moment that it all began," Obama said.

Marilyn Nichols of Des Moines said she wasn't surprised by the outcome because she knows how hard Iowa volunteers worked for Obama. And she doesn't think the momentum will stop here.

"If he has good workers like he did in Iowa, he will continue to the White House," she said.

Nichols didn't hesitate when asked what the outcome of the caucus meant.

"Change," she said. "It's time for a change."

Tom Corron of Waukee said there was a record turnout in his precinct, which helped Obama. He said Obama represents the kind of change this country needs, and his victory represents a change in this country.

"It's time we had someone like Barack in the office, and I'll be proud to see that," he said.

IowaPolitics.com video:
- Isiserettes pump up Obama crowd

Labels: Democrats