Obama wins in Iowa

Obama in Iowan primaries. CNN polls suggest that his perceived ability to bring change was an overriding factor in his victory. In contrast Clinton is seen as the candidate of experience (which seems to matter less), and therefore the traditional candidate. American narratives like the outsider that rides into town and sorts everything out. And Obama is nothing if not an outsider, though his own personal story is wonderfully American: immigrant family, broken home, self-made success. He also did much better than Clinton amongst 17-44 yr olds (Clinton did much better with 65yr +)

"Change" is the key word of the moment; and tied to it, the notion of unity through change. I looked for a couple of meangful quotes on the subject, words of great wisdom. The following fitted. It had both wisdom and humour:

"There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position and be bruised in a new place." Washington Irving "Tales of a Traveler"