:ylsuper:

 

Very surprised he was able to win in Iowa. I was fully expecting anywhere from 2nd-4th. With the close margin however, all three (Romney, Santorum, Paul) are virtually in the same "place" moving forward to NH next Tuesday. Romney is expected to win handily in the northeastern state.

 

What does Santorum's showing mean going forward?

 

Will Paul and Santorum be able to stay in this for the long-haul?

 

What does Newt Gingrich's poor showing signal for his campaign?

 

Will Bachmann, Perry, and Huntsman drop out?

Newest flavor of the month opposed to Romney is now Santorum (replacing the December special, Newt-opolitan). Does Santorum have staying power?

All year the only candidate to remain steady at his position has been Romney. Virtually every other candidate has risen near the top for a brief stint.

 

No Republican has ever won both Iowa and New Hampshire.

:ylsuper:

 

Very surprised he was able to win in Iowa. I was fully expecting anywhere from 2nd-4th. With the close margin however, all three (Romney, Santorum, Paul) are virtually in the same "place" moving forward to NH next Tuesday. Romney is expected to win handily in the northeastern state.

 

What does Santorum's showing mean going forward?

 

Will Paul and Santorum be able to stay in this for the long-haul?

 

What does Newt Gingrich's poor showing signal for his campaign?

 

Will Bachmann, Perry, and Huntsman drop out?

He was leading or near the top from the start, so it is not all that shocking he won. He never really devoted a lot resources to Iowa until the end, so I guess in some way it was a every bit of a boost for his campaign.

 

Paul will start to fade away. Santorum came maybe pick up enough steam to make it to 2nd in New Hampshire, but will still lose to Romney by 20-25 points.

 

Newt like every other candidate (with the exception of Romney) had their peak moment but is back on the decline. Not looking good. He has become Santorum's new best friend because he will go after Romney.

 

Bachmann will stay around just to irritate me. Perry, heading back to the ranch. Huntsman has devoted his time and effort to New Hampshire. Not sure he even went to Iowa. This will be his last stand. With emphasis on the word last.

He was leading or near the top from the start, so it is not all that shocking he won. He never really devoted a lot resources to Iowa until the end, so I guess in some way it was a every bit of a boost for his campaign.

 

Paul will start to fade away. Santorum came maybe pick up enough steam to make it to 2nd in New Hampshire, but will still lose to Romney by 20-25 points.

 

Newt like every other candidate (with the exception of Romney) had their peak moment but is back on the decline. Not looking good. He has become Santorum's new best friend because he will go after Romney.

 

Bachmann will stay around just to irritate me. Perry, heading back to the ranch. Huntsman has devoted his time and effort to New Hampshire. Not sure he even went to Iowa. This will be his last stand. With emphasis on the word last.

Huntsman spent no time or resources in Iowa.

He was leading or near the top from the start, so it is not all that shocking he won. He never really devoted a lot resources to Iowa until the end, so I guess in some way it was a every bit of a boost for his campaign.

 

Paul will start to fade away. Santorum came maybe pick up enough steam to make it to 2nd in New Hampshire, but will still lose to Romney by 20-25 points.

 

Newt like every other candidate (with the exception of Romney) had their peak moment but is back on the decline. Not looking good. He has become Santorum's new best friend because he will go after Romney.

 

Bachmann will stay around just to irritate me. Perry, heading back to the ranch. Huntsman has devoted his time and effort to New Hampshire. Not sure he even went to Iowa. This will be his last stand. With emphasis on the word last.

While Paul will most likely start to fade away, I would fully expect for him to stick around to the bitter end. I would be surprised if the GOP doesn't beat itself up through the primary season.

If you told me a couple of months ago that Santorum was going to do this well I would have been astonished. It looks like Perry and Bachmann are throwing in the towel, which isn't great for Romney, but probably doesn't matter much. I suppose Gingrich will play for South Carolina, but I wonder if his lead will hold there after finishing so far down in Iowa. I also suppose Huntsman is playing for a competitive second or third place in New Hampshire. If he could get traction from that he has the money to stay in the race until more moderate states. You have to think Republicans are dismayed with their choices when less Republicans turn out in Iowa than '08 and they split between three wildly different candidates. I'm sure the Obama team is thrilled.

Huntsman spent no time or resources in Iowa.

I have never understood that strategy. Granted, there has never been an eventual Republican nominee to win both - until this year - but I have always questioned the strategy of any candidate that just fully neglects one of the first two states in the process.

If you told me a couple of months ago that Santorum was going to do this well I would have been astonished. It looks like Perry and Bachmann are throwing in the towel, which isn't great for Romney, but probably doesn't matter much. I suppose Gingrich will play for South Carolina, but I wonder if his lead will hold there after finishing so far down in Iowa. I also suppose Huntsman is playing for a competitive second or third place in New Hampshire. If he could get traction from that he has the money to stay in the race until more moderate states. You have to think Republicans are dismayed with their choices when less Republicans turn out in Iowa than '08 and they split between three wildly different candidates. I'm sure the Obama team is thrilled.

:thumb: :thumb:

 

If I'm Obama I'm all smiles after that...

For my amusement, I hope that the GOP nominates Santorum.

While Paul will most likely start to fade away, I would fully expect for him to stick around to the bitter end. I would be surprised if the GOP doesn't beat itself up through the primary season.

Potentially. Or Romney could pull away from the onset. The rising and falling and rising again of candidates will start to cease now. Santorum, from my perspective, appears to be the only legit threat to make a serious run. If he does well next week and can easily secure the #2 spot, you may be right. Paul's base supporters will never defect.

For my amusement, I hope that the GOP nominates Santorum.

 

:lol: I would waver between amusement and terror.

:thumb: :thumb:

 

If I'm Obama I'm all smiles after that...

Obama has been smiling for months now.

For my amusement, I hope that the GOP nominates Santorum.

We just need Trump to enter the picture and we are ready to go.

If you told me a couple of months ago that Santorum was going to do this well I would have been astonished. It looks like Perry and Bachmann are throwing in the towel, which isn't great for Romney, but probably doesn't matter much. I suppose Gingrich will play for South Carolina, but I wonder if his lead will hold there after finishing so far down in Iowa. I also suppose Huntsman is playing for a competitive second or third place in New Hampshire. If he could get traction from that he has the money to stay in the race until more moderate states. You have to think Republicans are dismayed with their choices when less Republicans turn out in Iowa than '08 and they split between three wildly different candidates. I'm sure the Obama team is thrilled.

 

Could you see any way possible that either Bachmann or Perry would throw their support behind Romney? I can't see Perry doing it, but I could potentially see her giving Mitt her support. :idunno: