Washington : Among the Democrats, it was razor-thin contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders till the last votes, with the former Secretary of State bagging 50 per cent votes and edging out her rival who secured 49 per cent votes.
Iowa Democratic Party declared 68-year-old Clinton as the winner of the cliffhanger. Clinton, who is aiming to become the first woman president of the US, ran neck and neck with Sanders throughout the counting of votes. Sanders had trailed behind Clinton by more than 20 points several weeks ago.
Claiming victory over Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton said it is rare to have a real contest of ideas. “I am a progressive to get things done for the people. Status quo is not good enough,” she said with her husband and the former president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton standing by her side.
Clinton reiterated her ambition to make US the clean energy super power of the world, and protect the rights of women and immigrants and stand up to the strong gun lobby. She also lashed out at the divisive policies of the Republican candidates.
From Iowa, the race to the White House now moves to New Hampshire where the primaries are scheduled for February 9 and then to South Carolina.
In both the states, Trump is leading by a huge margin in latest opinion polls.
On the Republican side, Mike Huckabee announced to suspend his campaign. Both Rubio and Trump praised him with the objective of gaining his support. Reacting to the results, Sanders said: “What Iowa has begun tonight is a political revolution.”
He said he would have about half of the Iowa delegates. “Enough is enough. Our government belongs to the people and not just to the billionaires,” he said. “It’s a virtual tie. We do not represent the interest of the billionaire class and corporate America,” Sanders said, adding that his campaign would do well in the other states.
American people have said “no” to a rigged economy, he added America is “ready for a radical idea”, Sanders said and promised to raise the minimum wage to USD 15 an hour and equal pay for women.
Public colleges and education should be tuition free, he said, adding that he would do so by imposing a tax on The Wall Street speculation.
