Obama wins Iowa caucus

At the Democratic caucuses, Mr Obama won by a clear margin, defeating John Edwards, who edged Hillary Clinton into third place.

The Iowa caucuses can give big boosts to candidates' campaigns. The next contest is on Tuesday in New Hampshire.

Turnout in Thursday's caucuses rose markedly, particularly for the Democrats, with 239,000 Democrats taking part - up from 124,000 in 2004.

In the Democratic race, Mr Obama won 38% of the vote.

Mr Edwards and Mrs Clinton were almost level on around 30% with Mr Edwards just ahead.

"We are choosing hope over fear, we are choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message that change is coming to America," Mr Obama, who is vying to become the first black US president, told his supporters.

Mr Obama, a senator from Illinois, will now be hoping to build momentum for the rest of the race, the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Iowa says.

However, both Mr Edwards and Mrs Clinton vowed to continue the fight for the Democratic nomination.

"We have always planned to run a national campaign all the way through the early contests," said Mrs Clinton, flanked by her husband - former President Bill Clinton.

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