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Through an exchange of e-mails with a very prominent volunteer for Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign, we both agreed that we can believe in America again. My newfound belief, though, had nothing to do with who the folks of Iowa chose to be their next president. No, I’m elated with the record turnout from both Iowa Democrats and Republicans. WOOOHOOOO!

All top three Democrats - Sen. Obama, Ill., John Edwards and Sen. Hillary Clinton, N.Y. – received more votes than Sen. John Kerry, D-MA, did in Iowa’s 2004 Democratic Caucuses. In all, 239,000 Iowans attended the Jan. 3 Democratic caucus. In 2004, Kerry’s support was the highest ever. Clinton’s third place finished garnered 72,000 caucus attendees for her, about 30,000 more attendees than Sen. Kerry received in 2004.

Republicans also saw the highest turnout ever! Over 118,000 Iowans caucused, compared to 87,666 in 2000. Americans are active, excited and realizing more than ever that we can change the country if we want.

And it’s not the same old crowd caring for America alone. My good friend Brian Steil attended a Democratic Caucus in Iowa City and said out of around 340 people at the caucus, only about 20 were over the age of 30. Granted, Iowa City is a university town, but, at least on the Democratic side, our generation demanded new leadership by supporting Obama.

Here is a chart from the Des Moines Register showing who got their support from whom.

It is moments like this when we as a society actually believe in all the clichés we’ve been told since we were tiny farts, and rightfully so! You know, the adage that common people can have an impact on the world and that if we all unite together in a common cause, democracy, then we can change the world. We’re believing in democracy and the Iowa Caucuses validate everyone’s aspirations for a more involved U.S. citizenry.

Today, democracy rolls on. Wyoming Republicans caucused today. Former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney was the leader, the Wall Street Journal reported. Here is that story. Tonight, the New Hampshire debates on ABC at moderated by my mother’s favorite broadcaster in the business, Charlie Gibson. The Republican debates start at 6 p.m. with the Democrats debate following.

Happy Saturday!