Religion and change play key roles

Des Moines, Iowa: Religion played a huge role in Mike Huckabee's triumph in the Iowa Republican caucuses, though there are some mixed signals for him on the road ahead. On the Democratic side, it was fresh blood - and an outcry for change - that helped propel Barack Obama to his victory in the state.

Eight in 10 Huckabee supporters said they are born again or evangelical Christians, according to an entrance poll for The Associated Press and television networks. Another six in 10 said it was very important to share their candidate's religious beliefs. In both categories, none of the former Arkansas governor's opponents came close to that kind of support.

In addition, six in 10 Huckabee supporters - more than his rivals - said it was most important that their candidate shared their values. Only 4 per cent of his backers said they wanted a contender with experience, and 2 per cent said they were looking for a Republican who can win the White House in November.

Young support

On the Democratic side, more than a third of Obama's support was from voters under age 30, eclipsing Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards among the young, according to those entering the caucuses. In contrast, more than a third of Clinton's vote came from people age 65 and older, far more than her top rivals.

More than half of Edwards' supporters were veteran caucus goers, while most of Clinton's and Obama's backers were first-timers. And a desire for change was like a rocket booster for Obama - half of Democrats said the ability to force change was the pivotal factor in picking a candidate, and half of them backed the youthful Illinois senator.

For both Iowa winners, though, the momentum they gained will be tested.

With New Hampshire's primaries next Tuesday, the campaign's next stop is a state where only about one in five Republican voters are born again or evangelical Christians - about one-third the number who claimed that status among Iowa Republicans.

While 46 per cent of Iowa's born again or evangelical Republican voters backed Huckabee, a slight majority did not - indicating a willingness to support candidates other than the ordained Baptist minister who has made religion a centrepiece of his campaign.