Romney Escapes Iowa with Victory
By: NBC News
Updated: January 4, 2012
While you were sleeping: a political nail biter!
In what appears to be the closest Republican contest ever in Iowa, we finally have a winner this morning. The vote was so close that officials waited until every vote was counted before announcing a winner.
Hours after the candidates spoke, Iowa Republicans called it. Mitt Romney wins by just eight votes! "This is a campaign night where America wins. . . . On to New Hampshire!" said Mitt Romney (R) Presidential Candidate.
Senator John McCain is expected to endorse Romney in New Hampshire today.
It's a big win too for Rick Santorum. He got 25 percent after polling in single digits just a few weeks ago. "We'll be in New Hampshire, we'll leave tomorrow, we'll spend time there and with your help and God's grace, we'll have another fun night there a week from now," said Rick Santorum, (R) Presidential Candidate.
Congressman Ron Paul came in third and thanked an enthusiastic crowd of supporters. "We will go on. We WILL raise the money." said Rep. Paul (R) Presidential Candidate.
But Romney's biggest challenge may come from Newt Gingrich, who vowed to fight negative ads by attacking Romney's record. "And if the truth SEEMS negative, that may be more of a comment on his record than politics," said Newt Gingrich, (R) Presidential Candidate.
Coming in next to last, Rick Perry announced he's suspending his campaign. "With the voters' decision tonight in Iowa, I've decided to return to Texas and assess, determine if there is a path forward for me in this race," said Presidential Candidate Rick Perry.
Michele Bachmann came in dead last except for Jon Huntsman, who never campaigned in Iowa. Still, she gave no indication of quitting. "I believe I am that true conservative who can beat Barack Obama in 2012," said Michele Bachmann (R) Presidential Candidate.
In what appears to be the closest Republican contest ever in Iowa, we finally have a winner this morning. The vote was so close that officials waited until every vote was counted before announcing a winner.
Hours after the candidates spoke, Iowa Republicans called it. Mitt Romney wins by just eight votes! "This is a campaign night where America wins. . . . On to New Hampshire!" said Mitt Romney (R) Presidential Candidate.
Senator John McCain is expected to endorse Romney in New Hampshire today.
It's a big win too for Rick Santorum. He got 25 percent after polling in single digits just a few weeks ago. "We'll be in New Hampshire, we'll leave tomorrow, we'll spend time there and with your help and God's grace, we'll have another fun night there a week from now," said Rick Santorum, (R) Presidential Candidate.
Congressman Ron Paul came in third and thanked an enthusiastic crowd of supporters. "We will go on. We WILL raise the money." said Rep. Paul (R) Presidential Candidate.
But Romney's biggest challenge may come from Newt Gingrich, who vowed to fight negative ads by attacking Romney's record. "And if the truth SEEMS negative, that may be more of a comment on his record than politics," said Newt Gingrich, (R) Presidential Candidate.
Coming in next to last, Rick Perry announced he's suspending his campaign. "With the voters' decision tonight in Iowa, I've decided to return to Texas and assess, determine if there is a path forward for me in this race," said Presidential Candidate Rick Perry.
Michele Bachmann came in dead last except for Jon Huntsman, who never campaigned in Iowa. Still, she gave no indication of quitting. "I believe I am that true conservative who can beat Barack Obama in 2012," said Michele Bachmann (R) Presidential Candidate.
