Iowa caucus results: Deadlock looks unlikely to provide clarity

[Rhiannon12866]

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Iowa caucus results, with most of the votes counted, show Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in a dead heat. If the caucus results hold, the importance of the South Carolina primary will grow.

DES MOINES, Iowa

With 92 percent of the votes tallied from the Iowa Republican caucuses, two candidates from different wings of the party were locked in a near-tie – moderate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and conservative former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania each had 24.7 percent. Only 13 votes separated the two.

Network television was projecting the libertarian-leaning Rep. Ron Paul of Texas to finish third, with 21.1 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is in fourth with 13.3 percent. Texas Gov. Rick Perry is fifth with 10.3 percent. Rep. Michele Bachmann is sixth with 5.1 percent.

If the close finish for the top two spots holds, that means the Republican nomination race leaves Iowa with an air of indecision. Next up is the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 10, where Mr. Romney is expected to win easily. But his status as a favorite son there could diminish the meaning of such a victory.



Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2012/0103/Iowa-caucus-results-Deadlock-looks-unlikely-to-provide-clarity

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Rick Santorum's giving a speech, can't tell if it's victory or concession...

Apparently, it's still a dead heat between him and Mittens... :shrug: :rofl: :crazy:

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Rachel just announced that Santorum is ahead of Mittens by 5 votes!

:wow:

[PatrynXX]

5. eh 4 votes but last county is Clinton

and thats way up for Romney. wouldn't be surprised if Mitt (his first name is Willard??) what Willard Scott?? I'll never get that out of me head now... came slightly ahead.

But yeah if Rick wants to pull ahead whatever. He stands no chance of winning because he's radically right. like to the Right of Ron... He won't attract the independents at all. Kinda interesting though how we have almost a 3 way virtual tie. yes Ron is a close um 2nd ? As far as I care Mitt and Rick are in first place.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Mittens won by eight votes. And they don't do recounts here.

The weird thing is that all three are supported by such disparate groups, can't see a wealthy Mittens supporter switching to Santorum, who they're saying is the conservative candidate, or a young Ron Paul supporter going for Mittens. However, amazingly, they said that the best organized and most proactive contingency in Iowa is the Democrats. :)

[hang a left]

3. WTF

Is wrong with people?? Santorum? You must be kidding.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. The MSNBC pundits are saying that he could also do well in the South.

He's being described as "the anti-Romney." And there are no recounts in this race. I agree, it really is surreal... :crazy:

[PatrynXX]

6. well sure

same folks who gave us Bob Dole on Viagra. :P

[dbt]

8. Iowa caucuses: Romney pips Santorum

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has narrowly won the first vote by US Republican party supporters in the process to choose a presidential candidate for this year's election.

He finished just eight votes ahead of former senator Rick Santorum in the Midwest state of Iowa.

Ron Paul came third, while Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann settled into a second tier of candidates.

Rick Perry is considering the future of his campaign after finishing fifth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16404413

[dbt]

9. K & R

Back to the top with this. Eight votes! Can you imagine the howling if there'd been a Democrat in the race?

:rofl:

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Santorum must really wish they did recounts...

The MSNBC panel reported that, despite the focus on Republicans, the best organized and mobilized group in Iowa is actually the Democrats... But they already have a candidate. :)

[dtexdem]

11. As opposed to a clear win that would have failed to provide clarity.

Iowa provides pigs and corn, not clarity.