All Eyes On New Hampshire
By: Brian Mooar, NBC News
Updated: January 5, 2012
All eyes are now on New Hampshire.
The nation's first primary is just five days away, and Mitt Romney has a commanding lead in his own back yard. The other candidates are fighting to stay alive until the contests in South Carolina and Florida where voters are more conservative, and still making up their minds.
Romney won Iowa, but his competitors are pointing out that the glass was three-quarters empty. Mitt Romney is now campaigning on home turf, with a win in Iowa under his belt, the endorsement of John McCain in his pocket, and a runaway lead in the polls.
Even though Romney beat Rick Santorum by only eight votes in Iowa; it's a win. "With Romney, Ron Paul and Santorum in the top tier as the three serious contenders coming out of Iowa it is almost the perfect scenario for the former Massachusetts governor," says Stu Rothenberg of "The Rothenberg Political Report."
Santorum had virtually no organization - but received a million-dollar influx in cash. "We're doing okay and if people here in New Hampshire give us a shot well do a lot better," said Rick Santorum, (R) Presidential Candidate.
With Michele Bachmann now out and South Carolina and Florida weeks away, the other candidates see opportunity. "I'm told he had 66 more votes than in 2008 so he basically spent $100,000 per additional vote, said Newt Gingrich, (R) Presidential Candidate.
"I say that means there's a whole lot of blue sky for the rest of us in the race and this is anything but settled at this point," said Jon Huntsman (R) Presidential Candidate.
But if Romney holds on to New Hampshire, he'll be tough to beat.
The nation's first primary is just five days away, and Mitt Romney has a commanding lead in his own back yard. The other candidates are fighting to stay alive until the contests in South Carolina and Florida where voters are more conservative, and still making up their minds.
Romney won Iowa, but his competitors are pointing out that the glass was three-quarters empty. Mitt Romney is now campaigning on home turf, with a win in Iowa under his belt, the endorsement of John McCain in his pocket, and a runaway lead in the polls.
Even though Romney beat Rick Santorum by only eight votes in Iowa; it's a win. "With Romney, Ron Paul and Santorum in the top tier as the three serious contenders coming out of Iowa it is almost the perfect scenario for the former Massachusetts governor," says Stu Rothenberg of "The Rothenberg Political Report."
Santorum had virtually no organization - but received a million-dollar influx in cash. "We're doing okay and if people here in New Hampshire give us a shot well do a lot better," said Rick Santorum, (R) Presidential Candidate.
With Michele Bachmann now out and South Carolina and Florida weeks away, the other candidates see opportunity. "I'm told he had 66 more votes than in 2008 so he basically spent $100,000 per additional vote, said Newt Gingrich, (R) Presidential Candidate.
"I say that means there's a whole lot of blue sky for the rest of us in the race and this is anything but settled at this point," said Jon Huntsman (R) Presidential Candidate.
But if Romney holds on to New Hampshire, he'll be tough to beat.
