Obama Wins Iowa; Edwards 2nd, Clinton Close 3rd

Riding a record turnout of young, independent and new voters, Barack Obama decisively won the Democratic caucuses in Iowa last night, with John Edwards narrowly edging out Hillary Clinton for second. With all Democratic precincts reporting, Obama, aiming to be the first black president of the United States, prevailed with a commanding 38%; Edwards took 30% and Clinton 29%, CNN reports.

Both Clinton and Edwards vowed to keep fighting for the nomination as the race heads for the first primary Tuesday in New Hampshire. "I am so ready for the rest of this campaign," said Clinton. Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd pulled negligible support in Iowa, and both Dodd and Biden said they would drop out of the race. (More Iowa caucuses stories.)