A small but passionate group of Democrats celebrated the Iowa caucus victory of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday evening in Twin Falls with whoops, hollers and a pot of "Hillary's Better than Giuliani's New York Minestrone."

About 30 Democrats met at the home of Dixie and Brad Siegel, Obama supporters, to watch the Iowa caucus and dine on a buffet of other cleverly titled dishes, including "Obama's 'Not my Cousin Dick Cheney's' Potato Soup."

All Democrats were welcome at the event, one of three held across the state, though most were Obama supporters. Dixie Siegel is Twin Falls County Captain for Obama's presidential campaign.

"We're dyed in the wool Obama supporters," Brad Siegel said. "We hope he's the leader - or at least in the top two."

He was, and the house erupted when NBC projected Obama as the winner.

Moments earlier, many at the gathering were stunned when the network named Baptist minister and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee the Republican winner.

"It's scary to see religion play such a big part in this campaign," said Noel Morfon, pastor at Filer United Methodist Church. Pundits credited Huckabee's win a large Evangelical Christian turnout in Iowa.

"It's supposed to be about individual rights, not about religion," said Morfon, who worked on the presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy, whose religion drew attention during the 1960 presidential campaign.

A Kennedyesque Democratic resurgence was a popular topic in the small circles of conversation that developed in the Siegel house. Obama opened his Boise campaign headquarters after a grassroots movement piqued the interest of his national campaign organizers.

Regardless of who wins the party's nomination, Twin Falls Democrats say they're simply pleased to be playing a role in the political process.

"It used to be better to be labeled a Communist in Idaho instead of a Democrat," Morfon said. "That's changed."

Republicans did not host a similar event Thursday evening.

Matt Christensen may be reached at 735-3243 or at matt.christensen@lee.net.