Kyle Bell

Just five days after winning a historic victory in nearly all-white Iowa by 9%, Barack Obama fell just 2% of beating Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire. I won’t lie, I didn’t expect him to lose. I thought a big win was coming, but it didn’t happen tonight.

Let’s keep this loss in context:

1. Barack Obama was down by double digits weeks ago.
2. Hillary won by a little more than 5,000 votes or 2%.
3. Women made up 57% of the Democratic vote.
4. Women supported Hillary 47-34% over Obama.
5. John McCain won with 38% of the vote in the Republican primary. He drew much of his support from independents, who helped Obama win Iowa. It seems that the poll numbers showing Obama ahead so far might have led to these independents voting for McCain instead.
6. Independents yet again overwhelmingly supported Obama over Hillary.

Two states down, one thing is clear: Obama is supported by independents by more than 2-1 over Hillary Clinton. If Democrats want to win in November like we did in 2006, we need independent voters to support us in the way that they support Barack Obama. I’m a liberal Democrat. I want change. We aren’t going to get it without the support of independent voters. These voters can not stand Hillary. Neither can Republicans. That much is clear from Iowa and New Hampshire.

I support Barack Obama for his opposition to the war since day one. He was on the right side of history. I support Barack Obama because having a president who is black and has a name like that will send a message to the rest of the world: America has changed. We are not the country of the Baby Boomer generation. We are tolerant of people’s race and religion. Discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation and gender are over.

We can change this country. It started in Iowa and it ends in November. In the weeks ahead, Nevada and South Carolina will decide. On February 5, states like Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia will vote, as well as others. Nearly half of the nation will vote on Super Tuesday. The “Clinton coronation” that was supposed to be was the “Clinton correction” in Iowa with Barack Obama’s 9% win. Hillary might have won in New Hampshire, but by 1/3 the percent of Obama’s in Iowa. It is clear now that there will be a fight for the nomination. With the support of independents, Democrats and Republicans, Barack Obama can become the next president of the United States. Now that Iowa and New Hampshire have decided, it’s your turn. Vote.