FACTBOX: Quotes from candidates on Iowa caucuses

Caucus goers gather inside Waukee High School in Waukee, Iowa January 3, 2008.

(Reuters) - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won the Iowa Republican caucus on Thursday, while Sen. Barack Obama won the Democratic contest in the first nominating contest of the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

Here are some key quotes.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT:

"They said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided, too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose, but on this January night, at this defining moment in history you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do."

MIKE HUCKABEE, REPUBLICAN, FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR:

"Tonight what we have seen is a new day in American politics. A new day is needed in American politics like a new day is needed in American government. And tonight it starts here, in Iowa. But it doesn't end here. It goes all the way through the other states and ends at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, one year from now."

JOHN EDWARDS, DEMOCRAT, FORMER NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR:

"The one thing that's clear with the results in Iowa tonight is the status quo lost and change won."

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, NEW YORK DEMOCRAT:

"I'm so ready for the rest of this campaign and I am so ready to lead."

RUDY GIULIANI, REPUBLICAN, FORMER NEW YORK MAYOR (ON CNN):

"I believe I can carry out a 50-state strategy and contest in states that some of the other Republican candidates can't."

MITT ROMNEY, REPUBLICAN, FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR (ON

FOX):

"This is obviously a bit like a baseball game, first inning. Well, it's a 50-inning ball game. I'm going to keep on battling all the way and anticipate I get the nomination when it's all said and done."

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, ARIZONA REPUBLICAN (ON NBC):

"I think the lesson of this election in Iowa is that, one, you can't buy an election in Iowa and, 2, that negative campaigns don't work. They don't work there and they don't work here in New Hampshire."

SEN. CHRIS DODD, CONNECTICUT DEMOCRAT:

"I count the past year as one of the most rewarding in a career of public service. Unfortunately, I am withdrawing from the campaign tonight."