Santorum has Iowa, Gingrich has Palin – and suddenly South Carolina is wide open

The London Telegraph ^ | January 19, 2012 | Dr. Tim Stanley

[2ndDivisionVet]

What a difference 24 hours makes to a Republican race. I arrived in Washington late last night, passed out, woke up, ran to a GOP breakfast, and only discovered over a midmorning sherry what happened all the time that I had been in the air or fast asleep. A tubby gentleman – head of an organisation titled something like Southerners Against Decadence – told me, “Perry is out, Santorum won Iowa and Gingrich is backed by Palin”. This news cycle is bound to shake the race up a little, depending on who benefits from it. Here are the highlights and how they might play out.

1. Rick Perry is out. We might ask why the Texan didn’t stay in until Saturday and wait to see how he’d do in South Carolina. He certainly has plenty of money and name recognition. But maybe his local polls confirmed what we’ve known for a long time – he’s sinking fast in the Palmetto State and is on course to place fifth. Quitting now spares him embarrassment and gives him one last bit of leverage: his endorsement. The word is that he’s leading towards Gingrich, so that’s Perry out and Gingrigh up.

2. Rick Santorum won Iowa after all, perhaps by 34 votes. The Iowa GOP is calling it a draw. Why is that when Mitt was ahead by just 8 votes it was a Romney victory, but now Santorum is ahead by 34, it’s a draw? Whatever: this retrospective win (and it is a win, Iowa) gives Santorum a big claim to be the only man to actually beat Romney. It also means that we have to revise the history books. I’m not alone for having written that Mitt was unique in Republican history for winning Iowa and New Hampshire in a row....

[DannyTN]

He can probably read a poll, but does he believe the polls?

What poll said Santorum would win Iowa?

[Georgia Girl 2]

“I think people will be watching the debate at that time and not watching ABC.”

Me too. The debate is the big deal tonight.

[Mr. K]

what the heck? is someone hacking my account?

My ideal ticket would be Gingrich/Santorum- I meant to say

(I must have zoned out while I was typing that because it is one hell of a typo!)

[callisto]

Did you start the drinking game early? Just kidding, we’ve all shared in the occasional typo. :)

[Elsie]

Even Newt’s. Even mine. Even Clinton’s if he so chooses to repent. It still stands.

Especially MINE!

[Elsie]

Thank you both!

I was in and out of the air force before ‘Nam got really hot.

I landed in Siagon when the airport was a sleepy little jungle strip and 18 months later I touched down there on the way home and it was being turned into FWD!!

[Elsie]

It’s yer darned tagline line.

CHANGE it!!!

[Cowman]

It also means that we have to revise the history books. I’m not alone for having written that Mitt was unique in Republican history for winning Iowa and New Hampshire in a row....”

That was always an example of press bogosity -- Ford won IA and NH in 76

[Mr. K]

I swear TO GOD I meant to type Gingrich/Santorum (for 16 striaght years of conservatism)

I must have really zoned out

[Windflier]

I swear TO GOD I meant to type Gingrich/Santorum (for 16 striaght years of conservatism) I must have really zoned out

Well, if we conservatives can forgive Newt, we can certainly forgive you for momentarily zoning out ;-)

[Tabi Katz]

Rick Santorum won Iowa after all, perhaps by 34 votes. The Iowa GOP is calling it a draw. Why is that when Mitt was ahead by just 8 votes it was a Romney victory, but now Santorum is ahead by 34, it’s a draw?

How true. I would love to see the one remaining social conservative pull off a miracle.