Republican presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has won the Iowa caucus.
The former Massachusetts governor was declared the winner of the leadoff Republican presidential caucuses early Wednesday by a mere eight votes over Rick Santorum. Mr. Romney received as total of 30,015 votes, while Mr. Santorum received the support of 30,007 voters.
“I’ve got a big target on me now,” said Mr. Romney on Wednesday, adding that does not faze him. “I’ve got broad shoulders. I’m willing to handle it.”
Mr. Romney defeated Mr. Santorum by the narrowest of margins. Speaking Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Republican said the contest was good for the Republican Party and that the battle would better allow voters to assess which candidate should receive the 2012 nomination.
“Being here in Iowa has made me a better candidate,” Mr. Santorum said, arriving at a caucus in Clive, New Hampshire. “Don’t sell America short. Don’t put someone out there from Iowa who isn’t capable of doing what America needs done.”
The former Massachusetts governor was declared the winner of the Iowa caucuses in the wee hours Wednesday by just eight votes, bringing down the curtain on an improbable first act in the campaign to pick a candidate to challenge President Obama n the fall.
Mr. Romney will now travel to New Hampshire, where is easily expected to win. Polls show Mr. Romney leading his Republican rivals by a wide margin.
