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Huge turnout in first test

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

11:52 PM EST, January 3, 2008

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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - As the time to caucus approached, precinct captain Dave Erickson realized he had a problem: More than 100 people and one small room.

With eight precincts gathering at the West Des Moines high school, there wasn't an empty spot in sight.

"I don't know what we're going to do. It's going to be a challenge," Erickson said. "It's a great slate of candidates. There's great interest in all of them."

The scene at that caucus was repeated across the state as a record number of Iowans left their homes and filled nearly 1,800 school gyms, fire houses and community halls.

Democrats estimated turnout at 220,000, and nearly 115,000 Republicans took part.

Democratic Party officials worried that the crush of participants would delay the process, but most events appeared to begin on time. By late evening, Iowans had chosen Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican White House hopeful Mike Huckabee in the nation's first test of the 2008 election.

"I know we are seeing incredible participation right now," said Carrie Giddins, spokeswoman for the Iowa Democratic Party.

Statewide, anecdotes pointed to heavy turnout.

Amid the blur of activity at the West Des Moines high school, Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance in the cafeteria. The Illinois senator's wife was mobbed by supporters and onlookers, but the school was so packed that even she melted into the crowd.

Greg Nichols, Democratic chairman of one precinct in West Des Moines, said he had run out of his 250 registration forms.

Linda Lohse-Lange, of West Des Moines, has been going to caucuses since 1976. She has been a state delegate for both parties but showed up last night in a red hat with Obama buttons.

"I had a hard time finding a place to park," Lohse-Lange said.

The heavy turnout appeared widespread and in both parties. One Democratic precinct on Des Moines' west side near Drake University had 444 participants, compared to 279 four years ago. A suburban Republican precinct in Ankeny had 220 people, compared to the roughly 100 that had been expected.

"It appears to be running high with new registrations a lot more than we had anticipated," said Chuck Laudner, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa.

At the West Des Moines caucus, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) was the lone candidate who didn't meet the 15 percent threshold after the first count. That sent supporters of the other candidates scrambling over to woo Biden's supporters.

Although they held tough at first, Biden's backers scattered.

Kevin Gilbert, of West Des Moines, came to the caucus undecided but ultimately joined the John Edwards group. His wife, Sue, chose Bill Richardson.

"We're dividing our loyalties, I guess," Gilbert said.