Romney Wins Iowa by 8 Votes; Bachmann Withdraws

AP Photo

Results for Iowa Republican Caucus (U.S. Presidential Primary)
Jan 03, 2012 (100% of precincts reporting)
Mitt Romney	30,015	24.6%
Rick Santorum	30,007	24.5%
Ron Paul	26,219	21.4%
Newt Gingrich	16,251	13.3%
Rick Perry	12,604	10.3%

Mitt Romney's slim victory over Rick Santorum yesterday ensures his status as front runner in the race for a Republican Party presidential nominee. With Santorum just eight votes behind him, Romney must light a fire under voters in other states as the primaries continue, in order to firmly establish his momentum.  

Until recently, Romney expended little energy around campaigning in the Corn State, because it usually leans toward a conservative Christian candidate, as it did last year with Mike Huckabee. Winning in Iowa means that Romney has leaped that hurdle despite his Mormon faith and could bode well as he continues his journey on the campaign trail.

Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, has built support in the campaign's next stop, New Hampshire, for the nation's first primary January 10th.  Romney has a large advantage in public opinion polls in his adopted home state, known for its progressive culture. That alone, could hamper Santorum's chances of a win and allow another candidate to move up in the polls behind Romney.

AP Photo/Brandon Pollack

In related news, Michele Bachmann announced her withdrawal this morning, a move that political pundits have predicted for months. Several of her staff members defected over the course of the past several months, and her sixth place finish in the Iowa caucus made her bid for Republican presidential nominee impossible, especially since she was born in that state.