Pirate's Cove

But, Santorum did exceedingly well

(Politico) Mitt Romney edged Rick Santorum by a mere eight votes in Tuesday’s Iowa caucuses — a margin that amounted to a tie in the crucial opening act of the 2012 presidential race and propelled the newly reshaped contest to New Hampshire and beyond.

After a three-way dead heat for much of the night, Romney and Santorum moved slightly ahead of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who finished in third place.

What does this mean overall? Not that much for Mitt, who really was the presumptive winner pre-caucus. For Santorum, it was a big, big win, but, can he keep it going as they head into New Hampshire and South Carolina? That remains to be seen. It does make The Other McCain very happy, being a big Rick supporter, who shows that Santorum did much better than polls were showing.

Meanwhile, Bachmann fans are sure to be unhappy today

(USA Today) Michele Bachmann has canceled her campaign appearances today, and called a late morning news conference (11am).

The announcement will no doubt stoke speculation that Bachmann will pull out of the race after her sixth place finish in the Iowa caucuses.

Same for Rick Perry

(Fox News) “But with the voters’ decision tonight in Iowa, I decided to return to Texas — assess the results of tonight’s caucus, determine whether there is a path forward for myself in this race.”

— Texas Gov. Rick Perry in a speech to Iowa supporters after his fifth-place finish.

This is what Iowa does, knock candidates out.

For Mitt, it means he’ll get the dreaded John McCain endorsement today. For Ron Paul, who came in third, it means…..nothing. His candidacy is not going anywhere. He will not be the GOP general election nominee. And, God forbid the impossible happens, we would see a true third party candidate. I could, in reality, see Conservatives calling for Mitt to run.

What about Huntsman? Allahpundit catches this missive from Erick Erickson

I think it was a big mistake for Huntsman to write off Iowa. Today I am convinced of it. Every time the subject come up with Iowans I encounter, not to mention other conservatives here for the Hawkeye Caucii, they lament what might have been Jon Huntsman.

While I have issues with his record as Governor, it is much more conservative than Mitt Romney’s and he has a much, much greater cross-party and independent appeal than Mitt Romney. People kind of like he doesn’t give a crap about pandering.

But everyone closes their lament feeling Huntsman made a strategic decision to not ignore conservatives like Romney, but to give them the middle finger.

I’ve said before, Huntsman was the 2nd most conservative person in the race, Bachmann being the first, so, he is soon to be the #1. If he would have explained his working for Obama as ambassador to China, something he could have turned into a positive, considering how much U.S. debt they hold, and promised not to enact climate change hoax legislation and regulations, he would be the real “not-Mitt.”

Now on to S.C. and N.H. For some. Others get to play golf with the Jets and Cowboys (yeah, I’m a Giants fan).

Update: Bachmann is officially out. She gave a very impassioned speech against ObamaCare and the expansion of the Central Government, among others, before saying “I have decided to stand aside.” She stated that no matter who wins, we need to back that candidate in order to defeat Obama and the far left agenda. The BBC also points out regarding Rick Perry

But in a sign that he is not about to bow out, he tweeted on Wednesday: “Here we come South Carolina!!!”

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.