FINAL CAUCUS RESULTS:
Mitt Romney: 24.6% (30,015)
Rick Santorum: 24.5% (30,007)
Ron Paul: 21.4% (26,219)
Newt Gingrich: 13.3% (16,251)
Rick Perry: 10.3% (12,604)
Michele Bachmann: 5.0% (6,073)
Jon Huntsman: 0.4% (745)
11:00 EST: With 88 percent of precincts reporting, we still cannot call this
race. It looks unlikely that AP will call it before Wednesday and perhaps as
late as the afternoon. Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney remain tied at 25 percent
and are separated by less than 100 votes.
Ron Paul coming in at 21 percent and holding – CNN is projecting
that Ron Paul will come in third place. Gingrich still holds onto his 13
percent and Michele Bachmann dropping back to 5 percent. Jon Huntsman is coming
in last at 1 percent, but that is no surprise.
UPDATE: 11:10 EST: Ron Paul addressed his supporters and reassured them that he intends to fight on; with his money, organization and volunteer's enthusiasm, this surprises no one. Paul invited the solider who was interviewed on CNN by Dana Bash (the one with the Twin Towers tattooed on his neck you ask? Yes). This uniformed solider talking about getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan may violate a few principles of the military but who cares, right? ... Well, except the Pentagon.
Meanwhile, back at the returns: Romney has again taken a very narrow lead over Santorum of a little more than 30 votes. Wiht 89 percent of precincts reporting, both continue to have 25 percent.
UPDATE: 11:18 EST: Newt Gingrich also took the stage to explain away fourth place. This comes as less of a shock than Paul's performance who registered far better even in the entrance polls this evening. Gingrich struck the same petulant note of sour grapes that he has all week, endearing few. He is desperate for a few good debate performances -- he will have his shots next week at that.
UPDATE: 11:30 EST: Wiht 93 percent of precincts in, Rick Santorum has retaken a narrow lead with 115 votes over Mitt Romney. While all precincts are reporting, many have returns outstanding and those could ammount to several thousand votes. One populous county in particular, Story County, is leaning towards Romney which could increase his vote total over Santorum.
UPDATE: 12:01 EST: 113 votes separate Romney and Santorum
at this hour with 96 percent of precincts reporting in completely. Santorum
holds a narrow lead over Romney. All
counties are reporting with only a few precincts outstanding. While there are
probably surprises in store, most of the outstanding precincts are in counties
that have favored Romney and it would not surprise if he pulled off a narrow
victory early tomorrow morning. Emphasis on “narrow.”
By the way, Rick Perry is conceding
and, he says that while he would like to go onto South Carolina, he is going back to Texas to reconsider “the best path forward.” The Perry
campaign may not be long for this world and, given the speculation that he
overspent his initial $17 million dash out of the gate, it is likely that he
does not have the steam left in his campaign machine to continue onto South Carolina
as he would likely prefer.
UPDATE: 12:18 EST: Rick Santorum has taken to the stage to claim an emotional victory. And emotional it was. He talked about his wife, who played a major role on caucus day appearing across the state over the course of the month, as his dearest friend with tears in his eyes. A victory speech this was, but its probably premature given the precincts that will return. However, even if he comes in a close second he can claim victory given this stunning turnaround. At this minute, with 99 percent of precincts in, Romney holds a very narrow lead but with CNN's latest poll out tonight for New Hampshire, the race has already moved on to the Granite State.
Good night, Ology Politics viewers. Thanks for sticking with us over this long, late night. See you tomorrow as the post-morteR begin in earnest.
---
Want to connect with other PoliticOlogists? Continue the
conversation on My.Ology
Follow Noah Rothman @Noah_C_Rothman
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment!