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| IOWA Caucus Results |
It was not until the last ballot to undo what is really a dead heat, in which the two candidates received 25 percent of the vote. Romney won 30,015 votes, against 30,007 in Santorum.
This is the tightest result in the history of these "caucus," which highlights the deep divisions among Republican voters about candidates and who is best qualified to challenge President Barack Obama in the November election .
"A play. This is the first step to rebuilding the country's government," said a jubilant Santorum told his supporters from a hotel in Des Moines, the state capital of North America.
For his part, Romney wanted to project a presidential and chose to ignore the results of the night to attack directly against the occupant of the White House.
"Almost everything this president has made it difficult for businesses to thrive," citing the presidential hopeful, who promised that, on the other hand, if he prevails in the November elections in the U.S. will "again a place that attracts better investors. "
In third place was Congressman Ron Paul, who won 21.3 percent of the vote.
Stood far behind the former chairman of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, with 13 percent of the vote, and the governor of Texas, Rick Perry, with 10.3 percent.
After his poor showing, Perry announced that Texas returns to "determine if there is any way open to me in this race," a statement that is interpreted as the sign of a more or less imminent abandonment.
Michele Bachmann was the last place with only 5 percent of the vote, a very disappointing result for this native of the state last summer topped the polls and then won in an informal consultation of Republican voters in Iowa
Nevertheless, the congressman insisted that, at least for the time being remain in the presidential race.
In the "caucus" were at stake today a total of 28 delegates to the Republican convention this August in Florida, which will officially appoint the candidate of this party.
The upcoming elections will take place next Tuesday, when the state of New Hampshire held their primaries. They will add another presidential candidate, Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor who resigned to campaign in Iowa with his few possibilities.
The latest polls give as absolute favorite in New Hampshire to Romney, the candidate to which analysts are most likely in a clash with President Barack Obama.
But after tonight's results, Santorum, a candidate who so far had been on the line positions and the media had paid little attention, has gained new momentum.
The former senator, who represents the current socially conservative evangelical and Republican, can benefit from the votes of those supporters of this training are not welcome Romney, either for his portrayal of economic privilege or his Mormon religion .
A good result for him in New Hampshire Santorum configured as the "anti-Romney" and could herald the beginning of a prolonged campaign.
Although not forget that so far, the Republican race has been a complete roller coaster for the candidates, in which virtually everyone, except Huntsman, who would have militated weighs the administration of President Barack Obama, have been favorites at one time or another.
Tonight, Santorum may have been the impetus to keep up. But if the Republican electorate remains his indecision, his big night could end up being just their fifteen minutes of fame election.
