(cctv.com)
Updated: 2008-01-15 12:12

In the US, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee have emerged as surprise winners in the first presidential caucuses in the state of Iowa.

The two former underdogs defeated candidates who had led the polls for months.

Illinois Senator Obama surged late in his three-way battle with Hillary Clinton and John Edwards.

And former Arkansas governor Huckabee beat Mitt Romney fairly easily.

The Iowa caucus opens the long battle to select candidates for the November election to succeed President George W. Bush.