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| Mitt Romney |
The result of Tuesday night in Iowa was historic. At 3 am, Eastern Time, entered the last ballot that gave former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a Pyrrhic advantage to the surprise of the night, Rick Santorum. Only 8 votes decided the winner of the caucus or caucuses in the state with the first primary in the country.
This is a dead heat, in which the two candidates won 25% of the vote. Romney won 30,015 votes, to the 30,007 to Santorum. In third place was Texas Congressman Ron Paul, with 21.3% of the vote.
The result was the tightest Iowa in the history of the caucus, according to news agency EFE, which highlights the deep divisions among Republican voters about candidates, and who is best qualified to challenge the president, Barack Obama in the November election.
"A play. This is the first step to rebuilding the country's government," said Santorum, who has been Senator twice, from a hotel in Des Moines.
Nobody expected that former Senator Santorum, who after being virtually invisible during the summer and fall, were to ascend so in the race. On Tuesday night his support rose from 15% to 25%, to take first place with Romney. The secret was the evangelical vote, key in the state, which was entirely for Santorum, who has stood out as the candidate most "clean" of the war and stronger family values.
For his part, Romney wanted to project a presidential and media said earlier that he had been a win win even Newt Gingrich, former President of the House a few weeks ago he was winning slightly in the polls.
Paul also looked elated. The first to give his speech, he thanked the young people who gave him the well deserved third place. Always faithful to his principles, Paul reiterated his position labeled "libertarian", claiming that if he wins the presidency would impose a blinded follow the U.S. Constitution first.
Among the remaining candidates, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, who led the polls a month ago, took the 13% support in Iowa, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, 10%, Michele Bachmann, 5% , and Jon Huntsman, who did not campaign in Iowa, 1%.
What will happen after Iowa?
According to Professor Steffen Schidmt, who has 40 years of covering this election, Rick Santorum may be at a national level, although not in New Hampshire because the state is very liberal.
"In South Carolina, Santorum may have potential, especially because they're starting to get campaign funds," he argued. "With the Southerners who are conservatives and Republicans in Iowa, it may be the second resurrection of Santorum."
By contrast, Ron Paul can suffer in the southern United States, for his libertarian positions. This can occur especially in South Carolina, which, according to a population Schidmt military rather because there are many military bases in the state.
"I think Paul will continue from Iowa to New Hampshire, then to the race in Florida, and see if the Super Tuesday has a chance to follow his campaign," said the professor located in Des Moines.
No doubt Mitt Romney seems to be the favorite and polls put him in the most advantageous situation to a possible contest against Barack Obama. The more the Republican field remains divided, the more it benefits the former governor of Massachusetts.
For his part, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, your state will be on Wednesday morning. He said he was "talking with God" and rethink their campaign strategy. Many analysts predict that the Texan, who seems to have recovered from their performances in televised debates, he will withdraw from the race.
Is also expected on Wednesday morning Michele Bachmann, the congresswoman from Minnesota, announces that the war continues in the state of South Carolina, therefore, resigned his candidacy.
Jon Huntsman has made a strong campaign in New Hampshire, the next primary to be held on January 10. If the former Governor of Utah devastates not in that state is lost.
