2012 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses

none June 2025 February 2026 April 2023 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries 2012 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses Iowa Flag of Iowa (variant).svg presidential no 2008 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses 2008 2012 01 03 2016 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses 2016 File:Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore 2 (1).jpg 150x150px Rick Santorum Pennsylvania 0 29,839 24.56% Iowa_Republican_Presidential_Caucuses_Detailed_Election_Results_by_County,_2012.svg 240px Santorum: #c0f0c0 20–30% #aae5aa 30–40% #87de87 40–50% #37c837 60–70% Romney: #FFDAC1 20–30% #ffcca9 30–40% Paul: #fdf3d8 20–30% #ffeeaa 30–40% #ffe680 40–50% Perry: #d0f9f9 20–30% #acf2f2 30–40% Tie: #EDEDED 20–30% File:Mitt Romney by Gage Skidmore 6 cropped (cropped).jpg Mitt Romney Massachusetts 6 29,805 24.53% File:Ron Paul (6238703989) (cropped).jpg Ron Paul Texas 22 26,036 21.43% File:Newt Gingrich by Gage Skidmore 6 (cropped).jpg Newt Gingrich Georgia 0 16,163 13.30% File:Rick Perry by Gage Skidmore 8 (cropped).jpg Rick Perry Texas 0 12,557 10.33% File:Bachmann2011 (cropped).jpg Michele Bachmann Minnesota 0 6,046 4.98% 008000 ff6600 ffcc00 800080 000080 9955FF NH The 2012 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses took place on January 3, 2012. Using the media's generally accepted definition of the Iowa Republican caucus as the non-binding secret polling at caucus sites and using the incomplete data available, the 2012 Iowa Republican caucus was the closest race in Iowa caucus history with only a thirty-four vote margin (about 3 100th of a percent) separating former senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, who received 29,839 votes (24.56%), and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who received 29,805 votes (24.53%). Representative Ron Paul of Texas ran a close third, receiving 26,036 votes (21.43%). Trailing were former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (16,163 votes, 13.30%), Texas governor Rick Perry (12,557 votes, 10.33%), and representative Michele Bachmann (6,046 votes, 4.98%). Former Utah governor and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr., who skipped campaigning in Iowa to focus on the New Hampshire primary,January 4, 2012 Huntsman: Republican race wide open in Iowa's wake https://www.deseret.com/2012/1/4/20242127/huntsman-republican-race-wide-open-in-iowa-s-wake/ February 13, 2026 Deseret News en Associated Press February 13, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260213090250/https://www.deseret.com/2012/1/4/20242127/huntsman-republican-race-wide-open-in-iowa-s-wake/ live received 739 votes (0.61%).http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P12/IA-R 2012 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions: Iowa Republican The Green Papers 2012 October 22, 2012 October 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121021085741/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P12/IA-R live In total, 121,501 votes were recorded, setting a record for Iowa Republican caucus turnout;http://iowacaucus.com/2012/01/19/no-official-iowa-caucus-winner-but-santorum-got-most-votes/ No 'official' Iowa caucus winner, but Santorum got most votes Iowa Caucus January 19, 2012 Rod Boshart October 23, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103181116/http://iowacaucus.com/2012/01/19/no-official-iowa-caucus-winner-but-santorum-got-most-votes/ November 3, 2012 dead this record was broken in the 2016 election by more than 60,000 votes.Iowa Caucus Results - Election 2016 https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/primaries/iowa The New York Times February 2, 2016 February 23, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160223202557/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/primaries/iowa live However, this total was still far less than the all-time Iowa caucus record in the 2008 Iowa Democratic caucuses, in which 239,000 Democrats voted. The 121,501 votes represent 19.8 percent of active registered Republicans in the statehttp://www.p2012.org/chrniowa/ia2012caucusresults.html 2012 October 23, 2012 Jan. 3, 2012 Iowa Caucus Results P2012 Democracy in Action May 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120513021127/http://www.p2012.org/chrniowa/ia2012caucusresults.html dead and just 5.4percent of all Iowans eligible to vote.An estimated 2,250,423 Iowans were eligible to vote. Michael McDonald, "2012 Presidential Nomination Contest Turnout Rates https://web.archive.org/web/20120110003330/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2012P.html 2012-01-10 " (January 4, 2012). United States Elections Project, George Mason University. However, the vote totals of eight precincts were never counted, so vote totals were not precisely known. The secret polling results at Republican caucus sites were unrelated to the delegate selection process in 2012, although this has been changed for the 2016 election cycle onward. If the Iowa 2012 Republican caucuses were regarded as the start of the Republican delegate selection process for the 2012 United States presidential election, the real caucus process was the election of Republican delegates to the county conventions, who would eventually determine the delegates at the state convention in June 2012. This would, in turn, determine the Iowa delegates who would attend the Republican National Convention in August 2012. This process rewarded campaign organizations that could not only get supporters to the caucus sites, but get supporters who would be willing to serve as delegates to county conventions and beyond. As a result, Paul was ultimately able to win 22 of the 28 delegates to the national convention and Romney won the other six. The 2011–2012 pre-caucus poll results for Iowa had highly volatile results; Gallup polls showed the leading candidate in Iowa change seven times from May 2011 until the caucuses. The 2012 caucuses also set a new record for political expenditures, with $12 million being spent, two-thirds of it from super PACs which dominated the campaigns by running highly negative attack ads. In the August 13 Ames Straw Poll, a traditional straw poll held in Iowa Republican caucuses, Bachmann narrowly defeated Paul, with Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty trailing in third. Following his disappointing showing, Pawlenty dropped out of the race.Peter Hamby, Pawlenty drops out of presidential race" (August 14, 2011). CNN. https://web.archive.org/web/20250307034845/https://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/08/14/pawlenty/index.html March 7, 2025 Michael D. Shear and Jeff Zeleny, "Pawlenty Drops Out of Republican Race" (August 14, 2011). The New York Times. Three candidates' debates were held in Iowa over the course the campaign: one on August 11 in Ames ahead of the straw poll; one on December 10, 2011, in Des Moines, and one on December 15 in Sioux City. Several other joint candidates' appearances took place during the caucus campaign outside Iowa."2011-2012 Primary Debates -- Schedule https://web.archive.org/web/20120107102352/http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2011-2012-primary-debate-schedule January 7, 2012 . Campaign Early race Considered a frontrunner for the 2012 nomination, former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee, who was the winner of the Iowa Republican caucuses in 2008, was the leader in every statewide poll conducted in the state in 2010, and early 2011.http://www.strategicnational.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2:huckabee-leads-early-among-iowa-caucus-voters&Itemid=441 Strategic National Releases New Poll of Iowa GOP Caucus Goers Strategic National January 20, 2011 November 3, 2011 Huckabee decided against a second bid, however, announcing the decision on his Fox News show Huckabee on May 14, 2011, stating "All the factors say go, but my heart says no, and that's the decision that I've made."http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_05/all_the_factors_say_go_but_my029572.php All the factors say go, but my heart says no May 15, 2011 November 3, 2011 Washington Monthly Benen Steve Steve Benen January 12, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120112043705/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_05/all_the_factors_say_go_but_my029572.php dead Following his decision, former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney became the frontrunner in polls conducted within the state in the weeks following,http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/01/ia-2012-caucus-21-romney-_n_869674.html IA-2012 Caucus: 21% Romney, 15% Cain, 15% Palin, 12% Gingrich (PPP 5/27-30) Public Policy Polling November 3, 2011 June 1, 2011 Emily Swanson October 9, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111009050935/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/01/ia-2012-caucus-21-romney-_n_869674.html live despite only appearing in Iowa a handful of times, and refusing to participate in the state's Ames Straw Poll in August 2011.https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-will-skip-iowa-straw-poll-in-august/2011/06/09/AGvwXuNH_story.html Romney will skip Iowa straw poll in August The Washington Post November 3, 2011 June 9, 2011 Rucker Philip August 20, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110820140135/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-will-skip-iowa-straw-poll-in-august/2011/06/09/AGvwXuNH_story.html live This trend only lasted for a couple months, however, when support for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann began to increase,http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Iowa-2012-Republican-Presidential-Caucus-Survey-Release-071311.pdf Bachmann Leads Republican Presidential Field by 13 Points Magellan Strategies November 3, 2011 July 13, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111221063949/http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Iowa-2012-Republican-Presidential-Caucus-Survey-Release-071311.pdf December 21, 2011 dead due in large part to the support she was able to garner through the Tea Party movement, of which she was a founding member of the Tea Party Caucus in the United States House of Representatives.http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/07/michele-bachmann-starting-tea.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120107143947/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/07/michele-bachmann-starting-tea.html dead January 7, 2012 Michele Bachmann starting tea party caucus The Washington Post November 3, 2011 July 16, 2010 Weiner Rachel Bachmann also strongly played up the fact that she was born in Waterloo, Iowa, where she also officially kicked off her candidacy, before eventually moving to Minnesota with her family when she became a teenager.http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=15938038 Presidential Candidate Profile: Michele Bachmann KWQC November 3, 2011 November 2, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107113008/http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=15938038 January 7, 2012 dead thumb|250px|Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee at a fundraiser in Beaverdale, Iowa in November 2010 In addition to Huckabee, several other potential candidates visited Iowa, including former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin,https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/sarah-palin-not-running-for-president/2011/10/05/gIQAzr9MOL_blog.html Sarah Palin not running for president The Washington Post November 3, 2011 October 5, 2011 Weiner Rachel October 10, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111010001834/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/sarah-palin-not-running-for-president/2011/10/05/gIQAzr9MOL_blog.html live Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels,Klein Philip May 22, 2011 Mitch Daniels not running for President https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/207581/mitch-daniels-not-running-for-president/ November 3, 2011 Washington Examiner February 13, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260213090800/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/207581/mitch-daniels-not-running-for-president/ live former Governor of New York George Pataki,http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-08-26/politics/29986216_1_george-pataki-new-york-governor-abortion-and-gay-rights Pataki Not Running For President Miller Zeke December 18, 2011 August 26, 2011 Business Insider https://web.archive.org/web/20120120005102/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-08-26/politics/29986216_1_george-pataki-new-york-governor-abortion-and-gay-rights January 20, 2012 dead Senator John Thune of South Dakota,https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-thune-not-running-for-president/ John Thune not running for president CBS News November 3, 2011 February 22, 2011 Montopoli Brian Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour,http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/25/breaking-barbour-not-running-for-prez/ Barbour not running for prez CNN November 3, 2011 April 25, 2011 Hamby Peter October 26, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111026161809/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/25/breaking-barbour-not-running-for-prez/ dead Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina,https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/jim-demint-wont-run-for-president-in-2012/2011/03/24/ABXFrZPB_blog.html Jim DeMint won't run for president in 2012 The Washington Post November 3, 2011 March 24, 2011 Cilliza Chris January 7, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107122212/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/jim-demint-wont-run-for-president-in-2012/2011/03/24/ABXFrZPB_blog.html live and Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie all decided against bids for president,https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/chris-christie-not-running-for-president/ Chris Christie Not Running for President ABC News November 3, 2011 October 4, 2011 Karl Jonathan October 23, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111023154035/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/chris-christie-not-running-for-president/ live despite receiving earlier speculation. Businessman Donald Trump, who also briefly flirted with the possibility of a bid for president, had sent several aides to Iowa, but ultimately decided against a bid.http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-05-16/entertainment/29570013_1_donald-trump-celebrity-apprentice-publicity-stunt Huff Richard Donald Trump not running for President, but he's already won: 'Celebrity Apprentice' rides buzz wave New York Daily News November 3, 2011 May 16, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107113425/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-05-16/entertainment/29570013_1_donald-trump-celebrity-apprentice-publicity-stunt January 7, 2012 dead Unlike the 2008 presidential election, when many of the potential candidates had announced their bids by February 2007, the only major candidate to announce their intentions as to whether they would form an exploratory committee for President of the United States was businessman Herman Cain on January 12, 2011,http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/12/herman-cain-talks-to-cnn-on-announcing-presidential-exploratory-committee/ https://web.archive.org/web/20110113023138/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/12/herman-cain-talks-to-cnn-on-announcing-presidential-exploratory-committee/ dead January 13, 2011 Herman Cain talks to CNN on announcing presidential exploratory committee CNN Travis Shannon November 6, 2011 January 8, 2011 after having toured Iowa, speaking to various Republican Party groups and leaders,https://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-01-08 Calendar: Full 2012 Calendar January 8, 2011 November 6, 2011 Politico January 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111235033/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-01-08 live as well as leaders in the Tea Party movement.https://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-01-09 Calendar: Full 2012 Calendar January 9, 2011 November 6, 2011 Politico January 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111233854/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-01-09 live The first official visit to Iowa by Cain, as a presidential candidate, was on March 7, 2011, during a conference hosted by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, along with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Governor Buddy Roemer, who also announced their own exploratory committees to run for president four days earlier.https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/politics/04gingrich.html Gingrich Tests 2012 Presidential Support Zeleny Jeff The New York Times November 6, 2011 March 3, 2011 October 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024180132/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/politics/04gingrich.html live https://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-la-gov-buddy-roemer-considers-2012-presidential-bid/ Former La. Gov. Buddy Roemer considers 2012 presidential bid CBS News November 6, 2011 March 3, 2011 Madison Lucy February 11, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150211120600/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-la-gov-buddy-roemer-considers-2012-presidential-bid/ live Former Governor Tim Pawlenty, and former Senator Rick Santorum also participated in the event, though they had yet to announce their intentions to run for president.http://ffcoalition.com/2011/03/07/big-night-in-iowa-for-five-presidential-hopefuls/# Big Night in Iowa for Five Presidential Hopefuls Conroy Scott Faith and Freedom Coalition November 6, 2011 March 7, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120123144713/http://ffcoalition.com/2011/03/07/big-night-in-iowa-for-five-presidential-hopefuls/ January 23, 2012 dead Following the conference, Pawlenty officially announced his bid on March 21, 2011, and made his first visit to Iowa as a presidential candidate on April 1, 2011, speaking with Republican Party leaders in Newton, Iowa.https://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-04-01 Calendar: Full 2012 Calendar April 1, 2011 November 6, 2011 Politico January 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111235106/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-04-01 live Santorum would also announce his own exploratory committee on April 13, 2011,http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/13/santorum-announces-presidential-exploratory-committee/ Santorum announces presidential exploratory committee CNN November 6, 2011 April 13, 2011 Steinhauser Paul December 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111205183346/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/13/santorum-announces-presidential-exploratory-committee/ dead and made his first visit as a candidate on April 25, 2011.https://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-04-25 Calendar: Full 2012 Calendar April 25, 2011 November 6, 2011 Politico January 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111234747/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-04-25 live The next day, Congressman Ron Paul announced his exploratory committee to run for president in Des Moines, Iowa.https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/us/politics/27paul.html As Ron Paul Weighs Presidential Run, His Issues Are Already Being Debated Schear Michael D. The New York Times November 6, 2011 April 26, 2011 May 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110504005413/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/us/politics/27paul.html live He had visited the state several times before, including meeting with Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad a month earlier.https://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-03-23 Calendar: Full 2012 Calendar March 23, 2011 November 6, 2011 Politico January 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111233822/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-03-23 live Former Governor Mitt Romney, who announced his exploratory committee by posting a video on YouTube on April 11, 2011, failed to make his first appearance in Iowa until May 27, 2011, visiting Ankeny, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.https://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-05-27 Calendar: Full 2012 Calendar May 27, 2011 November 6, 2011 Politico January 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111234542/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/calendar/?date=2011-05-27 live A month later, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann made her first visit to Iowa as a candidate on June 26, 2011, when she officially announced her campaign in Waterloo, Iowa.http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/06/26/waterloo-iowa-greets-hometown-girl-michele-bachmann/ Waterloo, Iowa, Greets Hometown Girl Michele Bachmann CBS November 6, 2011 June 26, 2011 August 31, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110831205149/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/06/26/waterloo-iowa-greets-hometown-girl-michele-bachmann/ live Former Governor Jon Huntsman, who announced his campaign in front of the Statue of Liberty on June 21, 2011,https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jon-huntsman-running-president-united-states/story?id=13892426 Jon Huntsman Makes It Official: 'I'm a Candidate for the Office of President of the United States of America' ABC News November 6, 2011 June 21, 2011 Simmons Gregory November 3, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111103085234/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jon-huntsman-running-president-united-states/story?id=13892426 live was the final then-announced candidate to visit Iowa, making his first speech at a soapbox event held by the Des Moines Register at the Iowa State Fair on August 11, 2011.http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/08/11/gop-presidential-candidate-jon-huntsman-will-visit-iowa-state-fair-this-morning/ GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman will visit Iowa State Fair this morning Des Moines Register November 6, 2011 August 11, 2011 Jacobs Jennifer July 7, 2012 https://archive.today/20120707075545/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/08/11/gop-presidential-candidate-jon-huntsman-will-visit-iowa-state-fair-this-morning/ dead Date of caucuses The 2012 Iowa Republican caucuses were originally scheduled to begin on February 6, 2012,Clayworth Jason https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-10-06/iowa-caucuses-december/50676718/1 Iowa caucuses could move up to December to precede Nev. October 6, 2011 USA Today November 3, 2011 November 9, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111109023200/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-10-06/iowa-caucuses-december/50676718/1 live much later than the date in 2008, which almost immediately followed the beginning of the year in January 2008.https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june08/iowa_1-04.html 'Change' Candidates Win Big in Iowa Bowman Quinn January 4, 2008 PBS November 3, 2011 September 30, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110930104900/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june08/iowa_1-04.html dead On September 29, 2011, the entire schedule of caucuses and primaries was disrupted, however, when it was announced that the Republican Party of Florida had decided to move up its primary to January 31, in an attempt to bring attention to its own primary contest, and attract the presidential candidates to visit the state.http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/florida-moves-its-primary/ Florida Moves its Primary Taylor Steven September 29, 2011 Outside the Beltway November 3, 2011 October 20, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111020102200/http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/florida-moves-its-primary/ live Because of the move, the Republican National Committee decided to strip Florida of half of its delegates.Jacobs Jennifer http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/10/25/gop-chairman-florida-will-be-penalized-and-the-2012-race-is-now-set/ GOP chairman: Florida will be penalized, and 2012 race is now set October 25, 2011 Des Moines Register November 3, 2011 June 4, 2012 https://archive.today/20120604045421/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/10/25/gop-chairman-florida-will-be-penalized-and-the-2012-race-is-now-set/ live Also as a result, the Iowa Republican Party, along with New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada then sought to move their caucuses back into early January. All but Nevada, who agreed to follow Florida,http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/24/1029570/-Nevada-Republicans-cave,-move-caucuses-to-Feb-4 Nevada Republicans cave, move caucuses to Feb. 4 Nir David October 24, 2011 Daily Kos November 3, 2011 October 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111028061000/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/24/1029570/-Nevada-Republicans-cave,-move-caucuses-to-Feb-4 live confirmed their caucus and primary dates to take place throughout January, with Iowa deciding to hold their contest on January 3, 2012. Ames Straw Poll 160px|thumb|Michele Bachmann speaking at the Ames Straw Poll on August 13, 2011 As the Ames Straw Poll approached in August 2011, visits and spending by the campaigns dramatically increased. Several candidates, including Bachmann, Congressman Ron Paul, former Senator Rick Santorum, Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, former Governor Tim Pawlenty, and businessman Herman Cain made bids for spots to compete at the straw poll.https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/paul-bids-high-at-ames-auction-057664 Ron Paul bids high at Ames Straw Poll auction Politico November 3, 2011 June 23, 2011 Burns Alexander February 1, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201100813/http://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/paul-bids-high-at-ames-auction-057664 live Congressman Paul bid the most, and was awarded the prime spot at the straw poll, which Mitt Romney occupied in 2007, and eventually led to his victory. A representative for Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was also present, but due to his campaign facing large amounts of debt, did not place a bid, and was not given a spot at the straw poll. The rest of the candidates who did place a bid spent millions attempting to win the poll, with Bachmann, Paul and Pawlenty spending the most money, performing various get out the vote efforts, and visiting the state dozens of times in the weeks leading up to the straw poll.http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/michele-bachmann-narrowly-defeats-ron-paul-iowa-straw-poll Michele Bachmann Narrowly Defeats Ron Paul in Iowa Straw Poll Sunshine State News November 3, 2011 August 13, 2011 Derby Kevin October 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121020043502/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/michele-bachmann-narrowly-defeats-ron-paul-iowa-straw-poll live Two days before the straw poll, the third official Republican debate was held at Iowa State University in Ames, sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa, Fox News, and The Washington Examiner.https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/fncs-bret-baier-chris-wallace-draw-praise-from-critics-for-debate-moderation/ FNC's Bret Baier, Chris Wallace Draw Praise from Critics for Debate Moderation November 5, 2011 August 12, 2011 Weprin Alex https://web.archive.org/web/20120107223744/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/fncs-bret-baier-chris-wallace-draw-praise-from-critics-for-debate-moderation_b80163 January 7, 2012 live Candidates participating in the debate included Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Rick Santorum. The debate was noted for the sparring between Bachmann and Pawlenty, with Pawlenty criticized Bachmann for what he said was a lack of leadership, while Bachmann fired back that Pawlenty's support for cap and trade legislation and the individual mandate while governor of Minnesota made his record look like Obama's.Fireworks Erupt at GOP Presidential Debate in Iowa Associated Press https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fireworks-erupt-at-gop-presidential-debate-in-iowa/ Fox News August 12, 2011 November 5, 2011 August 12, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110812200240/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/11/republican-candidates-come-out-swinging-at-obama-in-iowa-debate/ live Gingrich criticized Wallace by saying he was asking "gotcha questions" instead of legitimate questions. Romney responded to criticisms of his Massachusetts health care reform, and its similarity to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, termed "Obamacare" by its opponent. Santorum stated his view that same-sex marriage is not a state issue, because the 10th Amendment "does not give states the right to trample over moral law". Romney agreed that it is a federal issue, reasoning that people move to different states and that marriage is a status, not an activity that takes place within the walls of a state.Candidates hit hard in testy GOP debate https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44110355 https://web.archive.org/web/20121004155443/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44110355/ns/today-today_news/t/its-debate-night-gop-iowa/ live October 4, 2012 October 17, 2011 Huntsman and Paul reiterated their support for civil unions. On Saturday, August 13, 2011, the straw poll was conducted on the campus of Iowa State University at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, with Bachmann narrowly defeating Paul, and former Governor Tim Pawlenty in third place. The 2011 straw poll had the second highest turnout in history, second only to 1999 straw poll, when then-Governor George W. Bush won in a landslide.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/13/7366544-bachmann-wins-ames-straw-poll https://web.archive.org/web/20110814134553/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/13/7366544-bachmann-wins-ames-straw-poll dead August 14, 2011 Bachmann Wins Ames Straw Poll MSNBC November 3, 2011 August 13, 2011 Montanaro Domenico Governor Rick Perry, who announced the day of the straw poll in South Carolina, but whose name did not appear on the ballot,https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rick-perry-enters-presidential-race-with-obama-broadside/ Rick Perry enters presidential race with Obama broadside CBS News November 3, 2011 August 13, 2011 Montopoli Brian received a significant number of write-in votes, placing in sixth. Other non-participating candidates, such as Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman, performed poorly in the straw poll, placing a distant seventh, eighth, and ninth respectively. Post-straw poll Following the straw poll, support of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann continued to grow, as the media focused on what they deemed the "new top tier" of Bachmann, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney.http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149509 Bachmann, Perry, Romney top tier Republicans - But still no frontrunner San Francisco Sentinel November 3, 2011 August 14, 2011 Thomma Steven January 7, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107203629/http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=149509 dead This drew criticism from the supporters of Congressman Ron Paul, as well as comedian Jon Stewart on his program The Daily Show, who pointed out Paul's near tie with Bachmann in the poll, and subsequent lack of coverage of the candidate by the media.http://www.mediaite.com/tv/jon-stewart-scolds-media-for-ignoring-rep-ron-paul-i-mean-fck-that-guy-right/ Jon Stewart Scolds Media For Ignoring Rep. Ron Paul: 'I Mean, F*ck That Guy, Right?' Frances Martel August 15, 2011 mediaite.com January 2, 2012 December 29, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111229234627/http://www.mediaite.com/tv/jon-stewart-scolds-media-for-ignoring-rep-ron-paul-i-mean-fck-that-guy-right/ live https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/news-media-treating-ron-paul-presidential-campaign-unfairly-190149609.html Is the news media treating Ron Paul's presidential campaign unfairly? Yahoo! News November 3, 2011 August 16, 2011 Pompeo Joe September 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110928164025/http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/news-media-treating-ron-paul-presidential-campaign-unfairly-190149609.html live Bachmann's support in polls following Ames began to fall, however, with Rick Perry's support growing in the state following his entrance to the race. His first visit to the state as a presidential candidate was at an event held on August 14, 2011, in Waterloo, Iowa, which Bachmann also attended.https://www.politico.com/story/2011/08/perry-schools-bachmann-in-waterloo-061366 Rick Perry schools Michele Bachmann in Waterloo Politico November 3, 2011 August 14, 2011 Smith Ben September 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150926162709/http://www.politico.com/story/2011/08/perry-schools-bachmann-in-waterloo-061366 live The same day, former Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota announced his intentions to withdraw from the race, as a result of placing a distant third in the Ames Straw Poll.https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/tim-pawlenty-withdraws-from-u-s-presidential-race-1.1119397 Tim Pawlenty withdraws from U.S. presidential race CBC News November 3, 2011 August 14, 2011 live https://web.archive.org/web/20111102094158/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/08/14/us-pawlenty-presidency.html November 2, 2011 Congressman Thaddeus McCotter also dropped out of the race a month after the straw poll, calling his presidential bid the "worst 15 minutes of his life".https://www.politico.com/story/2011/09/flight-of-fancy-may-hurt-mccotter-064577 Thaddeus McCotter may be hurt by his presidential run Politico November 5, 2011 September 27, 2011 Isenstadt Alex February 1, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201100813/http://www.politico.com/story/2011/09/flight-of-fancy-may-hurt-mccotter-064577 live Going into September, media coverage of subsequent debates held in Simi Valley, California, Tampa and Orlando, Florida focused on Rick Perry's poor performance in those debates, and eventually led to a significant drop in his support in statewide polls conducted in both Iowa, as well as nationwide.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/rick-perry-is-incredibly-bad-at-debates/2011/10/11/gIQARWPxdL_blog.html Rick Perry is incredibly bad at debates The Washington Post November 3, 2011 October 11, 2011 Bernstein Jonathan October 14, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111014043141/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/rick-perry-is-incredibly-bad-at-debates/2011/10/11/gIQARWPxdL_blog.html live This also coincided with the introduction of the 9–9–9 plan by fellow candidate businessman Herman Cain, who then saw a sharp rise in the polls,https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2011/1015/Rick-Perry-has-the-money-but-Herman-Cain-has-9-9-9-momentum Rick Perry has the money, but Herman Cain has 9-9-9 momentum The Christian Science Monitor November 3, 2011 October 15, 2011 Trumbull Mark November 17, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111117091936/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/President/2011/1015/Rick-Perry-has-the-money-but-Herman-Cain-has-9-9-9-momentum live putting him in a virtual tie with Mitt Romney.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/2012_iowa_republican_caucus 2012 Iowa Republican Caucus Rasmussen Reports November 3, 2011 October 20, 2011 November 2, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111102203427/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/2012_iowa_republican_caucus live In the weeks following, Cain was the subject of a scandal involving accusations of sexual harassment during his tenure at the National Restaurant Association,http://bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2011/11/17/cain-says-has-put-sexual-harassment-allegations-behind-him/3jt8LOTKG8MnqVObGzg8bM/story.html Cain says he has put sexual harassment allegations behind him The Boston Globe November 18, 2011 November 17, 2011 Schoenberg Shira November 22, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111122055133/http://bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2011/11/17/cain-says-has-put-sexual-harassment-allegations-behind-him/3jt8LOTKG8MnqVObGzg8bM/story.html live as well as an accusation that he had participated in a 13-year affair with an Atlanta businesswoman.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/28/herman-cain-affair-allegations-ginger-white Herman Cain accused of 13-year affair with Atlanta woman The Guardian December 16, 2011 November 28, 2011 MacAskill Ewen London Subsequent statewide polling then saw a surge among several candidates, including Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, who would both surge in the final weeks before the caucuses.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/2012_iowa_republican_caucus 2012 Iowa Republican Caucus Rasmussen Reports November 18, 2011 November 17, 2011 November 17, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111117124923/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/2012_iowa_republican_caucus live http://globegazette.com/news/iowa/poll-gop-race-up-for-grabs-in-iowa/article_8ac2334c-10cc-11e1-bb14-001cc4c03286.html Poll: GOP race up for grabs in Iowa The Globe Gazette Lynch James November 18, 2011 November 17, 2011 November 19, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111119113101/http://globegazette.com/news/iowa/poll-gop-race-up-for-grabs-in-iowa/article_8ac2334c-10cc-11e1-bb14-001cc4c03286.html live On December 3, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia, Herman Cain officially announced the suspension of his campaign, due to the various allegations of sexual harassment, a 13-year affair, and personal attacks on his family.https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/us/politics/herman-cain-suspends-his-presidential-campaign.html?pagewanted=all A Defiant Herman Cain Suspends His Bid for Presidency December 16, 2011 December 3, 2011 The New York Times Saulny Susan Soon thereafter it was reported that Cain would endorse Gingrich the following Monday,http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/12/herman-cain-will-endorse-newt-gingrich/45715/ Herman Cain Will Endorse Newt Gingrich The Atlantic December 16, 2011 December 5, 2011 Bennett Dashiell December 6, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111206143047/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/12/herman-cain-will-endorse-newt-gingrich/45715/ dead but it proved to be untrue, with Cain refusing to endorse any other candidates.http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/source%3A-herman-cain-to-endorse-newt-gingrich-monday-20111204-tm Gingrich Spokesman: No Cain Endorsement on Monday Fox News December 16, 2011 December 4, 2011 December 8, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111208140606/http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/source%3A-herman-cain-to-endorse-newt-gingrich-monday-20111204-tm live Despite the suspension of his campaign, the Republican Party of Iowa still reported write-in caucus vote totals for Cain.http://iowagop.org/iowagop/?p=675 Media Advisory: The Republican Party of Iowa Caucus Procedure December 29, 2011 December 29, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120103162324/http://iowagop.org/iowagop/?p=675 January 3, 2012 dead Final debates On December 10, 2011, the first of two final debates to be conducted in Iowa before the caucuses was held, and hosted by ABC News, The Des Moines Register, and the Iowa Republican Party. The debate was the first to occur following Cain's campaign suspension, with Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum participating in the debate. Jon Huntsman, who had refused to contest Iowa, instead focusing his efforts on winning the New Hampshire primary, was not invited to participate in the debate, and did not meet the debate organizer's criteria of participation.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/11/9363785-what-jon-huntsman-did-instead-of-debate https://web.archive.org/web/20120107133940/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/11/9363785-what-jon-huntsman-did-instead-of-debate dead January 7, 2012 What Jon Huntsman did instead of debate Kent Jo December 18, 2011 December 11, 2011 MSNBC The debate was also one of the first to occur following Gingrich's surge in the statewide polls in Iowa, as well as nationwide. It was focused on various economic, foreign, and domestic issues, with Gingrich facing most of the criticism from his fellow competitors.https://abc7.com/archive/8462350/ Newt Gingrich is focus of attacks at GOP debate in Iowa ABC News December 18, 2011 December 10, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107194756/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=8462350 January 7, 2012 live Romney mocked Gingrich's plan to build a lunar colony to mine minerals from the Moon, saying that the real difference between the two of them was their backgrounds, saying "I spent my life in the private sector. I know how the economy works."http://www.globalnews.ca/Pages/Story.aspx?id=6442539763 Romney fails to score knockout punch on Gingrich in latest GOP debate Global News December 18, 2011 December 10, 2011 Goodman Lee-Anne January 7, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107074750/http://www.globalnews.ca/Pages/Story.aspx?id=6442539763 dead Gingrich replied, "Let's be candid. The only reason you didn't become a career politician is you lost to Teddy Kennedy in 1994", which drew boos and laughter from the audience.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/10/newt-gingrich-mitt-romney_n_1141358.html Newt Gingrich To Mitt Romney: You Couldn't Be A Career Politician If You Tried HuffPost Graves Lucia December 10, 2011 December 18, 2011 January 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120108071607/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/10/newt-gingrich-mitt-romney_n_1141358.html live Romney replied "If I'd have beaten Ted Kennedy I could have been a career politician, that's probably true. If I would've been able to get in the NFL like I hoped when I was a kid, I would have been a football star all my life too."https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2011/12/12/mitt-romney-risked-losing-cool-outlined-diplomatic-style-weekend-debate/cIaIV0NuyPLwMe9IAFHDXN/story.html Mitt Romney risked losing cool, outlined diplomatic style in weekend debate The Boston Globe December 18, 2011 December 12, 2011 Johnson Glen January 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111042156/http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2011/12/12/mitt-romney-risked-losing-cool-outlined-diplomatic-style-weekend-debate/cIaIV0NuyPLwMe9IAFHDXN/story.html live Mitt Romney later received criticism when he attempted to bet fellow candidate Rick Perry $10,000, when discussing the issue of his past support of a healthcare mandate, which Perry had pointed out was removed from his book.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/mitt-romney-challenges-rick-perry-to-10000-bet-in-gop-debate/2011/12/11/gIQAudrBnO_blog.html Mitt Romney challenges Rick Perry to $10,000 bet in GOP debate DeLong Matt The Washington Post December 11, 2011 December 16, 2011 December 13, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111213202056/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/mitt-romney-challenges-rick-perry-to-10000-bet-in-gop-debate/2011/12/11/gIQAudrBnO_blog.html live Other participants, including Ron Paul, who had also seen a significant surge in polls in the state, criticized Gingrich for his participation as a consultant for mortgage company Freddie Mac, during which he was paid $1.6 million, shortly before its collapse and subsequent bail out by the federal government.https://www.latimes.com/la-xpm-2011-dec-15-la-pn-bachmann-paul-gingrich-for-influence-peddling-20111215-story.html Bachmann, Paul hit Gingrich for 'influence peddling' Los Angeles Times December 15, 2011 December 18, 2011 Geiger Kim July 15, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250715083137/https://www.latimes.com/la-xpm-2011-dec-15-la-pn-bachmann-paul-gingrich-for-influence-peddling-20111215-story.html live Michele Bachmann also attacked Gingrich, after he refused to call himself a lobbyist, saying, "You don't need to be within the technical definition of a lobbyist to still be influence peddling." A second debate was held on December 15, 2011, and took place in Sioux City, Iowa. It was hosted by Fox News and the Iowa Republican Party, and moderated by Bret Baier. Participants in the debate included Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. Newt Gingrich was once again the main focus of his competitors, and continued to receive criticism for his past dealing with Freddie Mac. Ron Paul was also challenged for his stance on Iran, and was criticized by Michele Bachmann, who Paul refuted by continuing to state his position that sanctions are an act of war, and the prospect of Iran possibly having a nuclear weapon is similar to the war propaganda that preceded the war in Iraq. Paul continued, "I don't want Iran to have a nuclear weapon. I would like to reduce them because there would be less chance of war. But to declare war on 1.2 billion Muslims and say all Muslims are the same, this is dangerous talk. Yeah, there are some radicals. But they don't come here to kill us because we're free and prosperous. Do they go to Switzerland and Sweden? That is absurd."https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/12/15/ron-paul-and-michele-bachmann-square-off-over-a-nuclear-iran/ Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann Square Off Over a Nuclear Iran Kain E.D. December 18, 2011 December 15, 2011 Forbes January 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120104155309/http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/12/15/ron-paul-and-michele-bachmann-square-off-over-a-nuclear-iran/ live Paul also stated, "why do we have 900 bases in 130 countries and we're totally bankrupt. How do you rebuild a military when we have no money? How are we going to take care of the people? I think this wild goal to have another war in the name of defense is the dangerous thing. The danger is really us overreacting. We need a strong national defense, and we need to only go to war with a declaration of war." Later in the debate, Rick Perry received attention when he called himself the "Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses," when asked how he would compete against President Barack Obama in a general election debate.http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/iowa-debate-perry-wants-to-be-tim-tebow--20111215?mrefid=election2012 Iowa Debate: Perry Wants To Be 'Tim Tebow' National Journal December 18, 2011 December 15, 2011 Sullivan Sean https://web.archive.org/web/20120107234840/http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/iowa-debate-perry-wants-to-be-tim-tebow--20111215?mrefid=election2012 January 7, 2012 dead Mitt Romney received praise for his performance in the debate, who largely focused on criticizing President Obama, rather than his opponents. One exchange involved Obama's lack of response towards a drone being taken down in Iran, with Romney stating, "This is a president — with the — the spy drone being brought down, he says pretty please? A foreign policy based on pretty please? You got to be kidding."https://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/12/15/143812131/romney-regains-stride-gingrich-shows-old-newt-at-sioux-city-debate Romney Regains Stride; Gingrich Shows Old Newt At Sioux City Debate James Frank December 18, 2011 December 16, 2011 NPR December 17, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111217121133/http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/12/15/143812131/romney-regains-stride-gingrich-shows-old-newt-at-sioux-city-debate live Final weeks of campaign 300px|thumb|left|Before the Iowa Caucus, presidential candidate Mitt Romney taking questions in Des Moines, Iowa. November 22, 2011 In the final weeks leading up to the caucuses, a majority of the candidates spent a large amount of time campaigning in the state, with Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry touring the state on their own respective bus tours.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/rick-perry-kicks-off-iowa-bus-tour-wants-voters-to-take-a-second-look/2011/12/14/gIQAnf1PuO_blog.html Rick Perry kicks off Iowa bus tour, wants voters to take a second look The Washington Post December 23, 2011 December 14, 2011 Sandhya Somashekhar December 15, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111215153146/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/rick-perry-kicks-off-iowa-bus-tour-wants-voters-to-take-a-second-look/2011/12/14/gIQAnf1PuO_blog.html live http://wcfcourier.com/iowacaucus/profiles/michele_bachmann/bachmann-s-bus-tour-stops-in-hometown/article_409dd51e-723f-5008-83d3-0ccd0625e10b.html Bachmann's bus tour stops in hometown WCFCourier.com December 23, 2011 December 21, 2011 Ericson Jon April 19, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230419171355/https://wcfcourier.com/iowacaucus/profiles/michele_bachmann/bachmann-s-bus-tour-stops-in-hometown/article_409dd51e-723f-5008-83d3-0ccd0625e10b.html live Bachmann visited all 99 of the state's counties in a ten-day sweep through the state. Other candidates, including Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, also held several events throughout the state to meet with voters.http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/22/ron-paul-back-next-week-for-three-day-visit/ Ron Paul back next week for three-day visit Des Moines Register December 23, 2011 December 22, 2011 Stegmeier Mary July 13, 2012 https://archive.today/20120713182441/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/22/ron-paul-back-next-week-for-three-day-visit/ dead http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/newt-gingrich-iowa-capitol-occupy-des-moines_n_1163060.html Newt Gingrich Iowa Capitol Protests: Occupy Des Moines Drives GOP Candidate Out Of Building HuffPost December 23, 2011 December 21, 2011 Gentilviso Chris December 23, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111223012333/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/newt-gingrich-iowa-capitol-occupy-des-moines_n_1163060.html live https://news.yahoo.com/santorum-visits-small-town-iowa-194900430.html Santorum Visits Small Town Iowa Bowman Sarah December 23, 2011 December 18, 2011 Yahoo! News Mitt Romney also visited the state, but spent most of December focusing his efforts on the New Hampshire primary instead.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/romney-stays-busy-in-new-hampshire/ Romney stays busy in New Hampshire Boxer Sarah B. December 23, 2011 December 22, 2011 CBS News February 1, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201100813/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/romney-stays-busy-in-new-hampshire/ live Jon Huntsman also decided to focus on the New Hampshire primary, and did not campaign in Iowa.http://iowacaucus.com/2011/12/15/gop-candidates-go-after-obama-in-last-iowa-debate/ GOP candidates go after Obama in last Iowa debate Iowa Caucus December 23, 2011 December 15, 2011 Wiser Mike https://web.archive.org/web/20120110231313/http://iowacaucus.com/2011/12/15/gop-candidates-go-after-obama-in-last-iowa-debate/ January 10, 2012 dead Polling in the final weeks saw a surge of support for Ron Paul, with Gingrich's support beginning to falter.http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/12/paul-takes-lead-as-gingrich-collapses-in-iowa.html Paul takes lead as Gingrich collapses in Iowa Public Policy Polling December 23, 2011 December 18, 2011 Jensen Tom January 9, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120109023502/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/12/paul-takes-lead-as-gingrich-collapses-in-iowa.html live Support for Mitt Romney also stayed somewhat steady, and Bachmann, Perry, and Santorum were all mostly tied in the second-tier. A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling between December 16 until December 18, 2011, showed Paul with the lead for the first time, with 23% of likely caucus-goers supporting him. Romney fell close behind with 20%, and Gingrich saw a steep drop in support with 14%, largely due to the increase of negative advertisements being bought against him in the state's media market by his opponents. Another poll conducted by Iowa State University, KCRG-TV and The Gazette between December 8–18, 2011, also found Paul in the lead with 27.5% of support, with Gingrich close behind at 25.3%.http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Vote-2012-Ron-Paul-Takes-Lead-in-KCRGGazette-Poll-135977303.html Vote 2012: Ron Paul Takes Lead in KCRG/Gazette/ISU Poll KCRG December 23, 2011 December 20, 2011 Lynch James https://web.archive.org/web/20120107124917/http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Vote-2012-Ron-Paul-Takes-Lead-in-KCRGGazette-Poll-135977303.html January 7, 2012 dead Yet another poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports on December 19, 2011, found Mitt Romney with the most support at 25%, with Paul close behind at 20%, and Gingrich at 16%.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/2012_iowa_republican_caucus 2012 Iowa Republican Caucus Iowa: Romney 25% Paul 20% Gingrich 17% Rasmussen Reports December 23, 2011 December 21, 2011 December 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111225004509/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/iowa/2012_iowa_republican_caucus live Fundraising for Paul also increased in December, when his campaign raised more than $4 million in one "moneybomb" over a weekend.http://www.thestatecolumn.com/texas/ron-pauls-tea-party-money-bomb-meets-4-million-goal/ Ron Paul's "Tea Party" money bomb meets $4 million goal December 23, 2011 December 19, 2011 The State Column https://web.archive.org/web/20120107124700/http://www.thestatecolumn.com/texas/ron-pauls-tea-party-money-bomb-meets-4-million-goal/ January 7, 2012 dead Shortly prior to the caucus date, an unofficial campaign to urge voters to write in Sarah Palin began running radio and television ads in Iowa. The ads argued that Palin is the only candidate who can stop crony capitalism.http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/new-ad-urges-iowans-to-caucus-for-palin/ New Ad Urges Iowans to Caucus for Palin The New York Times Jeremy W. Peters December 29, 2011 November 25, 2020 March 13, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201125220919/https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/new-ad-urges-iowans-to-caucus-for-palin/ live The final week before the caucus witnessed a surprise surge in the polls for Santorum, who rose from singled digits earlier to 15% behind Paul at 22% and Romney at 24%.http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/ad-lib/2012/jan/2/santorum-surge-could-spell-iowa-upset/ Santorum surge could spell an Iowa upset January 4, 2012 January 2, 2012 The Washington Times May 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120508212108/http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/ad-lib/2012/jan/2/santorum-surge-could-spell-iowa-upset/ live Unexpected performance by Santorum thumb|right|Santorum delivering a caucus-night victory speech Santorum spent months in Iowa, traveling to all 99 counties and holding some 381 town hall meetings over the course of the campaign.http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/15/debate-santorum-says-his-very-clear-conservative-message-will-pay-off-with-iowa-republicans/ Debate: Santorum says his "very clear" conservative message will pay off with Iowa Republicans March 13, 2020 July 13, 2012 https://archive.today/20120713025931/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/12/15/debate-santorum-says-his-very-clear-conservative-message-will-pay-off-with-iowa-republicans/ dead Mike Glover, "Santorum declares 'game on' after Iowa surge https://web.archive.org/web/20120725120019/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2012/01/04/santorum_declares_game_on_in_close_iowa_race/ July 25, 2012 " (January 4, 2011). Associated Press. However, for months Santorum lagged in the polls and had difficulty raising money, traveling around the state in a pickup truck instead of buses and caravans used by other candidates.http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_CAMPAIGN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-01-04-00-15-19 Mitt Romney celebrates GOP win; 2 rivals flounder March 13, 2020 October 9, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191009172847/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_CAMPAIGN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-01-04-00-15-19 live He lagged in the so-called second tier of candidates, polling in the single digits in Iowa as late as December 18.http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/2011/InsiderAdvantage_IA_1218.pdf InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research Iowa GOP Presidential Poll – 12.18.11 March 13, 2020 September 20, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190920105221/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/2011/InsiderAdvantage_IA_1218.pdf live However, his surge began around that time, as numerous polls put him in the top three along with Romney and Paul.http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/ia/iowa_republican_presidential_primary-1588.html#polls RealClearPolitics Iowa polling March 13, 2020 March 7, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200307185129/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/ia/iowa_republican_presidential_primary-1588.html#polls live According to the Los Angeles Times, "Santorum caught fire at just the right time as social conservatives in the state and other undecided voters appeared to gravitate his way in large numbers at the expense of candidates" such as Gingrich, Perry, and Bachmann.James Oliphant, "Santorum supporters watch Iowa caucus returns in disbelief https://web.archive.org/web/20120112071840/http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-santorum-supporters-watch-iowa-caucus-returns-in-disbelief-20120103,0,4892267.story January 12, 2012 (January 3, 2012). Los Angeles Times. Campaign spending and super PACs The Iowa race was dominated by a large volume of negative or attack advertising paid for by "super PACs" supporting candidates.Paul Blumenthal, "Super PACs Dominate Iowa Caucus, Helping Mitt Romney Run Ahead https://web.archive.org/web/20161222204938/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/31/super-pacs-iowa-caucus-mitt-romney_n_1176741.html December 22, 2016 " (December 31, 2011). HuffPost.Tina Daunt, "Super PAC Spending Drops Gingrich to Fourth Place in Iowa (Analysis) https://web.archive.org/web/20201124003313/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/newt-gingrich-iowa-caucus-super-pac-spending-277739 November 24, 2020 " (January 3, 2012). The Hollywood Reporter. Total political expenditures in Iowa set a new record, totaling over $12 million, with an estimated two-thirds coming from super PACs. (Unlike contributions directly to candidate funds, which have a $2,500 contribution limit and must disclose all contributors, super PACs may raise unlimited amounts of money and may keep contributors anonymous)."Editorial: In Iowa, a plague of stealth spendingMay 2020 InternetArchiveBot yes " (January 4, 2012). Detroit Free Press. Some $10 million was spent in television advertising by candidates and super PACs across the state by the end of 2011.Jedd Rosche, "Iowa Caucuses 2012: By the numbers https://web.archive.org/web/20240115131929/https://www.politico.com/story/2012/01/iowa-by-the-numbers-071012 January 15, 2024 " (January 2, 2012). Former journalist David Yepsen, who covered nine Iowa caucuses for the Des Moines Register before joining the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, told The Boston Globe: "It's hard to figure out who is doing the attacking and to what end, and they're double-barreling the attacks on two or more candidates. I've never seen that before. We've never had this volume [of negative ads] or this much complexity."Brian C. Mooney, "Negative ads aimed elsewhere https://web.archive.org/web/20120104203656/http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-02/news/30581995_1_negative-ads-mitt-romney-radio-ad 2012-01-04 " (January 2, 2012). Boston Globe. Romney's campaign was by far the largest overall spender, and Romney's "Restore Our Future" super PAC spent $4 million in attack ads against Gingrich beginning on December 9.Ruth Marcus, "Super PACs are a dangerous new weapon" (January 3, 2012). The Washington Post.Glenn Kessler. "Romney versus Gingrich: a Super PAC’s over-the-top ad https://web.archive.org/web/20200624133144/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/romney-versus-gingrich-a-super-pacs-over-the-top-ad/2011/12/20/gIQAeJQn7O_blog.html June 24, 2020 " (December 21, 2011). The Washington Post. The "Restore Our Future" negative television advertising and direct mail campaign was said to be "unprecedented"Ginger Gibson, "Iowa caucus results: Angry Newt Gingrich bolts after bad finish https://web.archive.org/web/20260205223023/https://www.politico.com/story/2012/01/angry-newt-bolts-iowa-after-bad-finish-071056 February 5, 2026 " (January 4, 2012). Politico. and "unlike anything in Iowa caucus history" and was credited with Gingrich's precipitous drop in the polls from front-runner into fourth-place finisher.Kevin Liptak, "Nearly half of Iowa ads attack Gingrich https://web.archive.org/web/20201217174443/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/30/nearly-half-of-iowa-ads-attack-gingrich/ 2020-12-17 " (December 30, 2011). CNN. By December 27, $2.86 million had been spent on television advertising by the Perry campaign, and $2.85 million had been spent by the pro-Romney "Restore Our Future" PAC. The New York Times reported that Romney "effectively outsourced his negative advertising to a group that has raised millions of dollars from his donors to inundate his opponents with attacks - all without breaking the rules that forbid super PACs to explicitly coordinate with the candidates".Nicholas Congfessore and Jim Rutenberg, "Group's Ads Rip at Gingrich as Romney Stands Clear https://web.archive.org/web/20200314081440/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/31/us/politics/restore-our-future-attack-ads-harm-gingrich-in-iowa.html March 14, 2020 " (December 30, 2011). The New York Times. The Detroit Free Press editorialized that "No one exploited the new no-limits-or-accountability playing field more shamelessly or effectively than [Romney]. His campaign mounted a sunny, Morning in America-style ad blitz, while super PACs founded and directed by longtime Romney loyalists buried the governor's GOP rivals in televised slime." On January 1, ahead of the caucuses, Gingrich stated that Romney would "buy an election if he could".Sarah Huisenga. "Gingrich: Romney wants to 'buy election' https://web.archive.org/web/20251122200910/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gingrich-romney-wants-to-buy-election/ November 22, 2025 " (January 1, 2012). CBS News. In the final days of the campaign and immediately after the results came in, Gingrich expressed anger toward Romney and the negative "Restore Our Future" campaign, stating that in the future "We are not going to go out and run nasty ads, but I do reserve the right to tell the truth ... If the truth seems negative, that may be more a comment on his [Romney’s] record than the nature of politics." A study conducted by Kantar Media's Campaign Media Analysis Group showed that by December 30, some 45 percent of all television ads in Iowa were negative ads against Gingrich; 20 percent were negative ads against Romney; 10% were positive ads for Romney; 6% were positive ads for Gingrich; 8% were negative ads against Perry; 8% were positive ads for Perry; and 3% were positive ads for Paul.Robin Abcarian and Seema Mehta, "Republican candidates flood Iowa with negative ads https://web.archive.org/web/20111225204224/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-iowa-ad-blizzard-20111223,0,5886839.story December 25, 2011 ." (December 22, 2011). Los Angeles Times. Gingrich was the only candidate of the five leading candidates to face a net financial disadvantage in terms of ad money spent (as a percent of total ad money spent in Iowa) verses percent of ads run against that candidate: Gingrich was at -35%, Santorum as +4%, Romney at +10%, Paul at +17%, and Perry at +31% (the largest net financial advantage).Jeffrey H. Anderson, "Votes Received per $1,000 Spent in Iowa" (January 4, 2012). Weekly Standard. According to data compiled by BuzzFeed, for every $1,000 spent on advertising by their campaigns, Santorum received 49 votes; Gingrich received 11 votes; Paul received 10 votes; Romney received six votes; and Perry received two votes. For every one vote received, Perry's campaign spent $478.40 in paid media, Romney spent $154.90, Paul spent $103.30, Gingrich spent $89.74, Santorum spent $20.50, and Bachmann spent $3.95. This makes the average "price per vote" about $130, taking in account only media spending."BuzzFeed Exclusive: How Much Did The Republicans Waste On Television Ads In Iowa? https://web.archive.org/web/20170211160607/https://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeedpolitics/buzzfeed-exclusive-how-much-did-the-republicans-w February 11, 2017 " (January 3, 2012). Buzzfeed.Felicia Sonmez, "Perry spent more than $300 per vote in Iowa; Santorum, only 73 cents https://web.archive.org/web/20221225224648/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/perry-spent-more-than-300-per-vote-in-iowa-santorum-only-73-cents/2012/01/04/gIQAltDmZP_blog.html December 25, 2022 " (January 4, 2011). The Washington Post.Derek Thompson, "$480: The Price Rick Perry Paid for Each Iowa Caucus Vote https://web.archive.org/web/20200215224704/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/01/-480-the-price-rick-perry-paid-for-each-iowa-caucus-vote/250859/ February 15, 2020 " (January 3, 2012). The Atlantic. Endorsements Romney was endorsed by three of the state's five largest newspapers: The Des Moines Register, the Quad City Times, and the Sioux City Journal. The two other large state newspapers, the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Waterloo Cedar Fall Courier, did not endorse any candidate. Few major endorsements were made by major Iowa Republican elected officials.Dan Friedman, "Iowa Pols: Few Attacks, Few Endorsements: Branstad, King Have Not Attacked or Endorsed https://web.archive.org/web/20120104214116/http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/iowa-pols-few-attacks-few-endorsements-20120101 2012-01-04 " (January 1, 2012). National Journal. Iowa's governor Terry Branstad endorsed no candidate.David Gregory, "Iowa guv delivers predictions but no endorsement https://web.archive.org/web/20210323082941/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/01/iowa-guv-delivers-predictions-but-no-endorsement/ 2021-03-23 " (January 1, 2012). CNN. Similarly, Senator Chuck Grassley chose not to endorse any candidate.Kathie Obradovich, "Grassley won't endorse before caucuses https://archive.today/20120707022110/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/10/19/grassley-wont-endorse-before-caucuses/ 2012-07-07 " (October 19, 2011). Des Moines Register."Grassley Won't Make Endorsement https://web.archive.org/web/20111222232805/http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/19/grassley_wont_make_endorsement.html 2011-12-22 " (October 19, 2011). Teagan Goddard's Political Wire. On January 2, U.S. Representative Steve King said on Simon Conway's program on WHO Radio that he would not endorse before the caucuses.David M. Drucker, "Steve King Decides to Stay on Iowa Sidelines https://web.archive.org/web/20191117045344/http://www.rollcall.com/news/-211306-1.html November 17, 2019 " (January 2, 2012). Roll Call. On December 9, Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz endorsed Santorum.Shushannah Walsh, "Iowa’s Secretary of State Matt Schultz to Endorse Rick Santorum https://web.archive.org/web/20200810125322/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/iowas-secretary-of-state-matt-schultz-to-endorse-rick-santorum/ August 10, 2020 " (December 9, 2011). ABC News. Prominent Christian right figures Bob Vander Plaats of The Family Leader (who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor of Iowa in 2010) and Chuck Hurley of the Iowa Family Policy Center endorsed Santorum on December 20.Igor Volsky, "Anti-Gay Marriage Leaders Endorse Rick Santorum" (December 20, 2011). Think Progress. Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen endorsed Gingrich.Amy Gardner, "Gingrich collects endorsements from Iowa, New Hampshire House speakers, faces Occupy-style protesters" (December 21, 2011). Election Election Day was a "balmy January day by Iowa standards" with temperatures of up to 35 degrees in central Iowa and "occasional gusts of wind," more favorable weather than in the 2008 caucuses, with temperatures of 4 degrees.Jens Manuel Krogstad, "Caucus turnout robust, nearing all-time record https://archive.today/20130121123936/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2012/01/04/caucus-turnout-robust-nearing-all-time-record/ January 21, 2013 " (January 4, 2012). Des Moines Register. Candidates on ballot The Republican Party of Iowa announced on December 29, 2011, that they would report vote totals for the following candidates: Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Buddy Roemer, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum. Vote counts for "No Preference" and "Other" were also reported."[Republican Party of Iowa Caucus Procedure]" (December 29, 2011) (press release). Republican Party of Iowa. The eight names were listed on the ballot in alphabetical order. Cain was included on the ballot although he had dropped out of the race because the names were finalized before Cain suspended his campaign.Paul West, "Ghost of a chance? Herman Cain haunts Iowa caucuses https://web.archive.org/web/20231222064349/https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-xpm-2011-dec-13-la-pn-herman-cain-haunts-iowa-caucuses-20111213-story.html December 22, 2023 " (December 13, 2011). Los Angeles Times. Allegations of irregularities and results certification On January 5 following the caucuses, Des Moines radio station KCCI first reported that caucus-goer Edward True, stated in an affidavit that at his 53-person caucus at the Garrett Memorial Library in Moulton in Appanoose County that he was one of three people who had helped in counting the results and had written the results down on a piece of paper to post to Facebook, but later discovered that the reported count was inaccurate. According to True's affidavit, Romney had actually received just two votes, but had been credited with 22 votes: "53 caucus-goers had cast votes in his precinct, rather than 79 as reported by the state. The 26-vote difference reflects what he says were 20 excess votes for Mr. Romney and six for Mr. Roemer." If true, this would change the statewide results from an eight-vote victory for Romney into a 12-vote victory for Santorum. Statistician Nate Silver notes that Romney had performed poorly in other Appanoose County precincts, receiving two of 39 votes in one, four of 43 votes in another, and none of 40 votes in a third, and also commented that it was unusual that obscure candidate Buddy Roemer, who received just 31 votes statewide, was credited with six votes in one precinct.Nate Silver, "Iowan Casts Doubt on Winner of Caucus https://web.archive.org/web/20200306171752/https://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/winner-of-iowa-caucus-still-in-doubt/ March 6, 2020 " (January 6, 2012). The New York Times. Silver also pointed out that one precinct in Appanoose County, Pleasant Franklin, reported no turnout at all, although it was listed as a valid caucus site and 132 voters cast ballots for John McCain in the 2008 general election there. Pleasant Franklin was one of eight precincts throughout that state that were listed by the state party but were reported as having no Republican turnout. Some have suggested that since minor counting errors are common, it is plausible that the lost votes could be canceled out by a similar error at another caucus location.Ian Millhiser, "Iowa Caucus Vote Counter Says Santorum Won, Claims Typo Gave Romney 20 Extra Votes https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095204/http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/01/05/398999/iowa-caucus-voter-counter-says-santorum-won-claims-typo-gave-romney-20-extra-votes/ March 4, 2016 " (January 5, 2012). Think Progress. However, Silver noted the exceptional closeness of the race and noted on January 5 that "For now, the caucuses are probably best thought of as still being too close to call." True, who is a Ron Paul supporter, stated to KCCI that: "This is huge. It essentially changes who won." A Republican Party of Iowa spokesman stated that since True is neither a precinct captain nor county chairperson, he has "no business" talking about election results."Could Typo Rewrite Caucus History? Caucus Vote Counter Says Romney Mistakenly Given 20 Votes https://web.archive.org/web/20120111040400/http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Vote-2012-Results-of-Iowa-Caucuses-Called-Into-Question-136782348.html 2012-01-11 " (January 5, 2012). KCCI-TV. On January 5, the Iowa Republican Party released a written statement in which they refused to respond to reports of the irregularity and stated that did not have "any reason to believe the final, certified results of Appanoose County" would change the outcome.Jennifer Jacobs, "Iowa GOP officials don’t think Appanoose County will rewrite caucus history https://archive.today/20120708104116/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2012/01/05/iowa-gop-officials-dont-think-typo-in-appanoose-county-will-rewrite-caucus-history/ July 8, 2012 " (January 5, 2012). Des Moines Register. Santorum stated on January 6 that the report of the irregularities "doesn't really matter to me," citing the virtually tied results. Counties had up to two weeks from the date of the caucuses to transmit their final certified results to the state Republican Party. While there are no recount provisions for caucus results in Iowa Republican party rules, there was a certification process, which was described as "nearly the same thing"."York: Final count could show Romney lost Iowa https://web.archive.org/web/20120604041501/http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/article/york-final-count-could-show-romney-lost-iowa/316366 June 4, 2012 " (January 16, 2012). The Washington Examiner."Santorum: Talk of Iowa Voting Problems 'Doesn't Really Matter' https://web.archive.org/web/20120106034045/http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/santorum-talk-of-iowa-voting-problems-doesn-t-really-matter--20120105 2012-01-06 " (January 6, 2012). National Journal. On January 16, it was reported that there was "a very real chance that the Republican Party of Iowa will announce this week that Rick Santorum, and not Romney, won the Iowa caucuses," citing various campaign sources who reported that the final numbers will be different from those released on caucus night. Republican Party of Iowa executive director Chad Olsen said on January 17 that there have been errors giving both Santorum and Romney more votes than reported on caucus night."Iowa GOP official to share update on presidential caucuses review https://archive.today/20120712073823/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/04/17/iowa-gop-official-to-share-update-on-review-of-presidential-caucuses/ July 12, 2012 " (January 17, 2012). DesMoinesRegister.com."Mistakes made with Iowa GOP caucuses can be fixed, party official says" (January 18, 2012). DesMoinesRegister.com. https://archive.today/20120708101855/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/04/18/iowa-gops-caucus-review-team-to-hold-three-public-meetings/ July 8, 2012 On January 19, the Iowa Republican Party released the certified results showing Santorum edged out Romney with 29,839 votes to Romney's 29,805, a margin of 34 votes."2012 GOP caucus count unresolved" (January 19, 2012). DesMoinesRegister.com. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120120101004/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2012/01/19/register%2Dexclusive%2D2012%2Dgop%2Dcaucus%2Dcount%2Dunresolved/ January 20, 2012 The Iowa Republican Party initially declined to formally declare a winner because results from eight precincts were lost and could not be certified, which The Washington Post said "served to embarrass the Iowa GOP — which had to admit that it had misallocated some votes, and simply lost some others, in a razor's-edge election where every vote mattered.""Santorum finished 34 votes ahead of Romney in new Iowa tally; votes from 8 precincts missing" (January 19, 2012). Washington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20200210154246/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/report-santorum-finished-34-votes-ahead-of-romney-in-new-iowa-tally-votes-from-8-precincts-missing/2012/01/19/gIQAJGuRAQ_story.html February 10, 2020 One party executive called the result a "split decision"."Although Santorum leads Romney by 34 votes, Iowa GOP won't declare a winner of state caucuses" (January 19, 2012). Star Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20150418084339/http://www.startribune.com/137659993.html?source=error April 18, 2015 The initial returns from the uncertified eight precincts (four in Lee County and one each in Cerro Gordo, Emmet, Franklin, and Pocahontas counties) also favored Santorum, and statistician Nate Silver stated that if those missing precincts had been included, Santorum's margin would have been increased."The Semantics and Statistics of Santorum’s Win in Iowa" (January 19, 2012). New York Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20200113083454/https://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/the-semantics-and-statistics-of-santorums-win-in-iowa/ January 13, 2020 Despite its earlier decision not to declare an official winner, on January 21, the Iowa Republican Party reversed itself and issued a press release formally declaring Santorum the winner of the caucuses, saying, "In order to clarify conflicting reports and to affirm the results released January 18 by the Republican Party of Iowa, Chairman Matthew Strawn and the state central committee declared Senator Rick Santorum the winner.""Rick Santorum Is Declared Winner of Iowa Caucuses by State Party Leaders" (January 21, 2012). Bloomberg. https://web.archive.org/web/20121020033130/http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-21/rick-santorum-is-declared-winner-of-iowa-caucuses-by-state-party-leaders October 20, 2012 According to observers, the "muddled result and response" threatens the future of the Iowa caucuses' first-in-the-nation status, which already have many critics because of the attention paid to the caucuses and its unrepresentative demographic characteristics. The Des Moines Register stated that the 2012 caucus errors "opens a new line of attack: that Iowa’s process is amateurish, and that its results cannot be trusted.""Caucus results may threaten first-in-nation status" (January 20, 2012). DesMoinesRegister.com. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120123102802/http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2012/01/20/caucus-results-may-threaten-first-in-nation-status/ January 23, 2012 Polling Statewide opinion polling for the Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012#Iowa (January 3) Entrance poll An entrance poll was conducted by Edison Research for the Associated Press and the television networks, involving interviews with 1,787 caucus-goers at 40 randomly selected caucus locations throughout Iowa, with a +/- 4% margin of error. The entrance poll found:"Entrance Poll: Iowa Republicans https://web.archive.org/web/20160201100812/http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries/epolls/ia?hpt=hp_t1 February 1, 2016 " (January 3, 2012). CNN."Entrance poll offers a look at the traits and preferences of Iowa caucus-goersJune 2021 medicmedic" (January 4, 2012). Associated Press. Gender Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/NoPreference Men (57%) 4% 14% 1% 24% 10% 23% 23% 1% Women (43%) 5% 12% 0% 19% 10% 25% 27% 2% Age Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer 17-29 (15%) 2% 5% 1% 48% 8% 13% 23% NA 30-44 (16%) 4% 13% 0% 26% 6% 20% 30% 1% 45-64 (42%) 6% 14% 1% 16% 11% 25% 36% 1% 65+ (26%) 6% 17% 0% 11% 13% 33% 20% NA Education Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer College Graduate (52%) 4% 13% 1% 21% 7% 27% 26% 1% No College Degree (48%) 6% 14% 0% 22% 13% 22% 23% NA Annual Income Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Under $30,000 (13%) 6% 13% 0% 37% 14% 15% 13% 2% $30,000–$50,000 (19%) 7% 12% 1% 26% 14% 16% 24% NA $50,000–$100,000 (39%) 5% 13% 1% 21% 9% 21% 29% 1% At least $100,000 (28%) 3% 15% 0% 14% 7% 36% 24% 1% Political Party Identification Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Democratic (2%) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Republican (75%) 5% 14% 0% 14% 11% 27% 29% NA Independent (23%) 5% 11% 2% 43% 7% 19% 13% NA Ideology Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Very Conservative (47%) 7% 14% 0% 15% 14% 14% 35% 1% Somewhat Conservative (37%) 3% 16% 1% 21% 9% 32% 19% NA% Moderate or Liberal (17%) 3% 6% 3% 40% 5% 35% 8% NA Evangelical or born-again Christian? Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Yes (57%) 6% 14% 1% 18% 14% 14% 32% 1% No (43%) 3% 12% 1% 26% 5% 28% 14% 1% Time of Decision Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum In the Last Few Days (46%) 5% 13% 1% 11% 13% 23% 34% Sometime in 2011 (53%) 5% 13% 1% 31%8% 26% 16% Did the Campaign Ads Affect Your Vote? Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Most Important Factor (3%) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Important Factor (22%) 6% 10% 1% 19% 19% 22% 22% 1% Minor Factor (37%) 5% 12% 1% 18% 10% 27% 27% NA Not a Factor at All (32%) 16% 1% 27% 4% 24% 23% 1% Most Important Issue Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Abortion (13%) 7% 9% NA 7% 11% 7% 58% 1% Budget Deficit (34%) 5% 15% 1% 28% 11% 21% 19% NA Economy (42%) 3% 13% 1% 20% 9% 33% 2% Health Care (4%) NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Most Important Candidate Quality Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Can Defeat Obama (31%) 3% 20% 0% 9% 7% 48% 13% NA True Conservative (25%) 9% 4% NA 37% 12% 1% 36% 1% Strong Moral Character (24%) 5% 5% 0% 23% 14% 11% 40% 2% Right Experience (16%) 2% 28% 3% 16% 10% 35% 6% NA Residential Character Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer Urban (23%) 4% 10% 0% 26% 9% 26% 24% 1% Suburban (27%) 6% 12% 1% 18% 8% 24% 22% NA Rural (50%) 5% 15% 1% 21% 12% 19% 26% 1% Region of Iowa Bachmann Gingrich Huntsman Paul Perry Romney Santorum Other/No Answer East (21%) 4% 11% NA 25% 6% 31% 22% 1% East Central (21%) 6% 15% 1% 23% 11% 20% 25% NA Central (38%) 5% 13% 1% 21% 12% 25% 22% 1% West (21%) 5% 15% 1% 17% 11% 21% 30% NA Results Results of the 2012 Republican Party presidential primaries There are 614,913 registered Republicans as of January 3, 2012.Voter Registration Totals - Iowa Secretary of State https://web.archive.org/web/20190925055926/https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/VRStatsArchive/2012/CoJan12.pdf September 25, 2019 , (January 3, 2012) Turnout was 19.9% of the voting-eligible population (registered Iowa Republicans). Iowa Republican caucuses, January 3, 2012 Candidate Votes Percentage Projected delegate count Actual delegatesCNNhttp://edition.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries/state/ia https://web.archive.org/web/20120105110905/http://edition.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries/state/ia dead January 5, 2012 Results Iowa CNNFOX2012 Iowa Caucuses http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2012/iowa-caucus-jan-3 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120108232912/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2012/iowa-caucus-jan-3 January 8, 2012 January 4, 2012 Fox NewsRick Santorum 29,839 24.56% 7 12 0 Mitt Romney 29,805 24.53% 7 12 6 Ron Paul 26,036 21.43% 7 0 22 Newt Gingrich 16,163 13.30% 2 0 0 Rick Perry 12,557 10.33% 0 0 0 Michele Bachmann 6,046 4.98% 0 0 0 Jon Huntsman 739 0.61% 0 0 0 Herman Cain (write-in) 45 0.04% 0 0 0 Sarah Palin (write-in) 23 0.02% 0 0 0 Buddy Roemer (write-in) 17 0.01% 0 0 0 Fred Karger (write-in) 10 0.01% 0 0 0 Gary Johnson (write-in) 8 0.01% 0 0 0 Donald Trump (write-in) 5 0.00% 0 0 0 Paul Ryan (write-in) 3 0.00% 0 0 0 Rudy Giuliani (write-in) 2 0.00% 0 0 0 Mike Huckabee (write-in) 2 0.00% 0 0 0 Ben Lange (write-in) 2 0.00% 0 0 0 Roy Moore (write-in) 2 0.00% 0 0 0 Tim Pawlenty (write-in) 2 0.00% 0 0 0 Condoleezza Rice (write-in) 2 0.00% 0 0 0 Jared Blankenship (write-in) 1 0.00% 0 0 0 Pat Buchanan (write-in) 1 0.00% 0 0 0 John McCain (write-in) 1 0.00% 0 0 0 Ralph Nader (write-in) 1 0.00% 0 0 0 Robert Ray (write-in) 1 0.00% 0 0 0 Scott Walker (write-in) 1 0.00% 0 0 0 No Preference 147 0.12% 0 0 0 Other 40 0.03% 0 0 0 Unprojected delegates: 5 4 — Total: 121,501 100.00% 28 28 28 Selection of delegates The Iowa Republican precinct caucus is the first part in a multi-step process to elect the state's 25 pledged delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention. The January 3 caucuses (precinct caucuses) elect delegates to county conventions. These county conventions, in turn, elect delegates to the four congressional-district conventions on March 10, who elect three national delegates each. Each congressional-district convention also appoints two members to a "slate committee" which chooses 13 additional delegates. These 13 delegates are voted on at the Republican Party of Iowa state convention on June 18. Notably, even the 25 pledged delegates are not bound to support any candidate at the national convention. Unlike the majority of states, Iowa RNC delegates are free to vote for any candidate for president or vice president.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120104/us-gop-campaign-delegates/ HuffPost Romney edges Santorum in race for Iowa delegates Stephen Ohlemacher January 4, 2012 September 22, 2015 February 1, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201100812/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120104/us-gop-campaign-delegates/ live http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/22/politics/santorums-best-shot-winning-iowa-caucus-again/ Santorum's best shot: Winning Iowa caucus — again March 22, 2012 March 13, 2020 March 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140329053649/http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/22/politics/santorums-best-shot-winning-iowa-caucus-again/ liveChris Good and Elizabeth Hartfield, What's a Caucus? And Why Jan. 3 Iowa Caucuses Are Important in 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20201026200623/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/whats-a-caucus-and-why-jan-3-iowa-caucuses-are-important-in-2012/ October 26, 2020 (December 30, 2011). ABC News. In addition to the 25 pledged delegates, Iowa also sent three unpledged delegates to the convention, for a total of 28 Iowa delegates.Stephanie Condon. Santorum and Romney in dead heat" (January 3, 2012). CBS News. According to the Associated Press (AP), the Iowa Republican system "puts a premium on getting the most votes in individual congressional districts. If a candidate's supporters can control a congressional district convention, they can choose national delegates and slate committee members who support their candidate." A January 4 Associated Press analysis projected that Romney would win 13 delegates, Santorum would win 12, and the rest of the candidates would get none. This projection was also used by The New York Times."Republican Delegate Count" (January 5, 2012), The New York Times. CNN used a different estimate, predicting that Romney would receive 18 delegates, Santorum would receive 8, Paul would receive 7, Perry would receive 4, and Gingrich would receive 2."TOTAL DELEGATES https://web.archive.org/web/20240907043505/https://edition.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries.html September 7, 2024 " (January 4, 2012). CNN. NBC used a third estimate, predicting that Romney would receive 11, Santorum would receive 11, and Paul would receive 3. Contrary to these early projections, however, Paul ultimately did extremely well in the delegate race. Indeed, despite the fact that Paul finished in third place in the popular vote, 22 of Iowa's 28 delegates ultimately voted for Paul at the Republican National Convention. Since Iowa's delegates are not bound to vote for a nominee based on the results of the caucuses, Paul supporters were able to exert a substantial influence on the delegate race by mastering Iowa's arcane election rules and winning key positions on state election committees.http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/05/05/committee-nominates-13-iowa-republicans-for-national-convention Ron Paul backers dominate Iowa GOP nominees for national convention Des Moines Register Jennifer Jacobs May 5, 2012 October 23, 2012 https://archive.today/20130121111539/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/05/05/committee-nominates-13-iowa-republicans-for-national-convention January 21, 2013 livehttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-jun-16-la-pn-ron-pauls-iowa-maneuvers-place-gop-in-awkward-position-20120616-story.html Ron Paul's Iowa maneuvers place GOP in awkward position Seema Mehta Los Angeles Times June 16, 2012 October 23, 2012 July 16, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190716130140/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-jun-16-la-pn-ron-pauls-iowa-maneuvers-place-gop-in-awkward-position-20120616-story.html livehttp://theiowarepublican.com/2012/iowa-gop-state-nominating-commission-loaded-with-paul-supporters/ The Iowa Republican Iowa GOP State Nomination Commission Loaded with Paul Supporters Kevin Hall April 24, 2012 October 23, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103070116/http://theiowarepublican.com/2012/iowa-gop-state-nominating-commission-loaded-with-paul-supporters/ November 3, 2012 dead The Los Angeles Times described this effort by the Paul campaign as "part of a quiet strategy by Paul and his backers to amass an army of supporters at the GOP gathering in August in Tampa, Fla., to push Paul's views on liberty, states' rights, the monetary system and foreign policy". Some commentators noted that the Romney campaign was partly to blame for the delegate outcome, for their failure to mobilize supporters to participate fully in the Iowa nomination process. Convention resultshttp://theiowarepublican.com/2012/ron-paul-backers-continue-to-dominate-iowa%E2%80%99s-national-delegate-slate/ Ron Paul Backers Continue to Dominate Iowa's National Delegate Slate The Iowa Republican June 17, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120619191233/http://theiowarepublican.com/2012/ron-paul-backers-continue-to-dominate-iowa%E2%80%99s-national-delegate-slate/ June 19, 2012 dead June 16, 2016 Ron Paul wins 21 of 25 delegates elected in Iowa https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ron-paul-wins-21-of-25-delegates-elected-in-iowa/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20121115122905/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/06/16/ron-paul-wins-21-25-delegates-elected-in-iowa/ November 15, 2012 Fox News September 8, 2024Candidate1st2nd3rd4thStatePartyleadersProjectedtotalRNC floor voteRon Paul32331002122Mitt Romney00001016Uncommitted/Unknown01002360Total121332828 Aftermath The day after her unsatisfactory sixth-place performance in Iowa, Bachmann announced she was dropping out of the presidential race.Sarah Wheaton, "Bachmann Says She Will Not Continue in the Race https://web.archive.org/web/20201118231249/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/bachmann-says-she-will-not-continue-in-the-race/ November 18, 2020 " (January 4, 2012). The New York Times."Michele Bachmann drops out of GOP race after Iowa caucuses https://web.archive.org/web/20120112134823/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michele-bachmann-drops-out-of-gop-race-after-iowa-caucuses/2012/01/04/gIQAP6L9aP_story.html January 12, 2012 " (January 4, 2012). The Washington Post. Following his low fifth-place finish, Perry initially announced he was "reassessing" his campaign "to determine whether there is a path forward," but subsequently stated that he would continue on to New Hampshire and South Carolina.Chris Tomlinson, "Perry leaving 'quirky' Iowa for South Carolina" (January 4, 2012). Associated Press.Dave Montgomery and Maria Recio, "Texas Gov. Rick Perry decides to stay in presidential race https://web.archive.org/web/20120108233357/http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/04/3352804/texas-gov-rick-perry-decides-to.html January 8, 2012 " (January 4, 2012). McClatchy Newspapers.Associated Press and Philip Elliott, "Perry: Reassessing Bid After Iowa Caucuses https://web.archive.org/web/20120105024117/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2103604,00.html 2012-01-05 (January 4, 2012).Nicholas Confessore and Katharine Q. Seelye, "Assessment Complete — Perry to Stay in Race https://web.archive.org/web/20200727082811/https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/assessment-complete-perry-to-remain-in-race/ July 27, 2020 " (January 4, 2012), The New York Times. See also 2012 Iowa Democratic caucuses 2012 Republican Party presidential primaries 2012 United States presidential election in Iowa References 30em Category:Iowa Republican caucuses Iowa Republican caucuses