The two upstart challengers in their respective parties, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee, turned out to be the big winners in the Iowa caucuses.
The result means that the two longtime front-runners in the state from both sides - Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney - were beaten despite well organised and expensive campaigns.
ABC, NBC, Fox News and CNN all accurately projected first place finishes for Obama and Huckabee - and on the Democratic side the battle was tight for the first hours of reporting. But with 100% of precincts reporting, Barack Obama led with 38% of delegates, while John Edwards with 30% shaded Hillary Clinton on 29%, with just seven delegates separating them.
Bill Richardson had just 2% of delegates, while the other Democrats found no oxygen of support.
Exit polls showed that Obama won a majority of young voters and a plurality of women, and a big turnout helped him hugely. The Iowa Democratic party said turnout was 212,000 - an increase of nearly 100,000 caucus-goers from 2004. Local media reported long lines and full car parks for the Democrat caucuses.
On the Republican side, Huckabee quickly leaped into the lead. With 96% of precincts reporting, Huckabee had 34% and Mitt Romney 25% - trailed by John McCain 13%, Fred Thompson 13%, and Ron Paul in fifth with 10%. Rudy Giuliani ran way behind with 3%.
Initial reports suggest that Romney's decision to go negative in his advertising against Huckabee counted against him.
