That's not a good start, but keep going.

This was interesting, the results are in for the Iowa caucuses:

DEMOCRATS:

• Gold - Barak Obama (38%)
• Silver - John Edwards (30%)
• Bronze - Hillary Rodham Clinton (29%)

REPUBLICANS:

• Gold - Mike Huckabee (34%)
• Silver - Mitt Romney (25%)
• Bronze - Fred Thompson (13%)
• Bronze - John McCain (13%)

So, what does all this mean?

1. Concern for Clinton & Romney. Clinton earlier appeared as though this nomination was hers to lose. Now, she placed 3rd. Romney outspent Huckabee "15 to 1," but lost by a significant margin.

2. Winning Iowa is not a shoe-in for the nomination, but it helps greatly in building momentum and garnering financial support. People are more likely to contribute to a perceived winner.

3. Huckabee & Obama may get greater scrutiny now from the media after taking the "first leg" of the race.

4. What I find interesting in these races is the impact they have on the running mate that will accompany the eventual nominee.

5. Ron Paul got 10% of the Republican vote, which is in no way insignificant. I think that might have surprised some folks that he's more of a potential player outside of the Lone Star State than many had surmised.

6. The biggest spenders aren't always the biggest winners.

7. There's a good chance that a black man will win a presidential nomination, which in itself will be historical. If not him, then there's a good chance a woman will win a presidential nomination. Either way, I'm thinking history will be made by the Democratic party.

My parting thoughts:

• Rudy did not campaign in Iowa, which may prove to be costly.
• Kudos to Huckabee for taking the gold. I think he's surprised some folks, but the Democrats don't fear him as much as they do McCain.
• Fred, you better pump up the jam. You got the bronze, but only 13%. That's not a good start, but keep going.

Your thoughts?