The people of spoken. All 240,000 of them who were expected to caucus in Iowa.
So what does it mean? Well, if you had hoped to vote for our neighbor, Democratic Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, you’re out of luck. He pulled the plug on his longshot campaign for the White House after a dismal showing. Same goes for Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn.

After campaigning for months, it’s amazing that this crucial decision can be made by so few people, in Iowa, of all places.

But the fact is that’s the way the game is played. The deck has been reshuffled and there are new front-runners in both parties.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., had a big day for the Democrats, rolling to a big win. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., can soldier on, bolstered by his second-place showing. It was a tough night for Hillary Clinton, who came in third.

On the Republican side, it was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee who rolled up a monster win, despite being heavily outspent in the state by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Now the madness shifts to New Hampshire and next Tuesday’s primary. Of course that excludes this weekend’s little get-together in Wyoming.

There is one thing that should be said about what happened in Iowa. A largely white state reviewed the issues and gave their backing to an African-American candidate. That would be Obama.

There was a time, not too long ago, when I am guessing that would not have happened.
It says something about how far we’ve come as a country, that the matter of Obama’s race is something of an afterthought.

Obama has been clear that his campaign is all about change. Voters in Iowa certainly delivered that.

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There is also political change in the works right here in Delaware County as well. Last week we learned state Sen. Connie Williams, who has represented parts of Haverford and Radnor for a decade, will not seek re-election.

Yesterday another thunderbolt was delivered from a longtime member of the Delco delegation in Harrisburg.

Rep. Ron Raymond, R-162, announced he would not be seek another stint representing the folks in Folcroft, Glenolden, Collingdale, Ridley, Ridley Park and Tinicum.
He’s been their guy in Harrisburg for 24 years.

This is no small thing. It will be another hit to the county’s clout in the state Capitol.

A confession here: I always liked Ron Raymond. He always struck me as an average guy. And that’s the philosophy he brought to public office. He was about nothing if not constituent services.

Candidates already are lining up to seek the seat. They have big shoes to fill.
We’ll miss Ron Raymond. Yes, we did endorse his Democratic opponent in the last election. It raised quite a few eyebrows when we backed Marilyn Woodman. That should not be considered a shot at Raymond, but rather a nod toward someone we considered a fresh face.

Now there will in fact be another fresh face representing a chunk of Delaware County in Harrisburg.

But the old one will be missed. Take care, Ron.