Message of hope gets the vote for Obama

The lone ranger from Illinois has defeated the daughter of the establishment and looks set to double his gains in New Hampshire.

In the latest polls, running up to today's Democratic presidential race primary in the key Granite State, first time Senator Barack Obama is enjoying a comfortable double digit lead over Senator Hillary Clinton.

Another defeat for the former first lady at this stage would be regarded as a major setback for her aspirations to become the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.

These are good times in US politics. The fact that more Americans are rooting for an Obama presidency means there is a strong desire for change. It is, of course, reflective of people's lack of satisfaction with the current US presidency. Currently, only one in three Americans thinks George W. Bush is doing a good job.

Under his leadership, US economy has softened, anti-Americanism has risen around the world, and a significant amount of US money has been spent outside the US for all the wrong reasons. Bush's foreign policy continues to face both, domestic and international scrutiny and even the Congress has fallen out with him on numerous occasions.

Iowans, and beyond, have chosen to cling to Obama's message of "hope" and "change" versus Hillary's "experience" because she is regarded as a throwback to an old era, the Clinton one.

Obama, meanwhile, has been able to touch at the core of what Americans want and he is trying to move beyond US partisanship. He showcases the deep yearning of Democrats for an inspiring candidate to represent them at the elections.

The young senator has thus far succeeded in reaching out to people who have not voted in the past or who were not interested in politics altogether. His powerful words "America is back" are refreshing and resonate in people's minds.