POLL: Iowa Caucus Puts Romney and Santorum in Tie; Rye Republican Responds

Going into last night’s caucus in Iowa last night, it was a too-close-to-call race between U.S Representative Ron Paul of Texas, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. And once the results came in,   Romney and Santorum finished in an apparent tie each earning 25 percent of the vote, Paul a close third with 21 percent.

Ironically, the candidate who may have fared the best last night was a Democrat.

“Obama did not do badly tonight,” said Judge Peter Lane, executive director of the Rye Republican committee on Tuesday night after most Iowa precincts reported their results. He cited two reasons for his assessment: low Republican turnout and the failure to select a clear front-runner. “I thought it was significant Romney didn’t crack 25 percent.”

New York Republicans won’t get to weigh in until April 24, after so-called Super Tuesday when 10 states will hold primary and caucuses. In fact, 33 states as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands will cast their votes before New York Republicans cast their ballots.

By then, a primary vote may be strictly pro forma as candidates lose the financial or organization wherewithal to continue their campaigns. But Judge Lane said New York could have an influence. “We’re significant if delegates still matter.” New York has 29 delegates. 

In fact, despite the outcome of the Iowa caucus, even the Iowa delegate count is still to be determined. During Republican primaries, Iowa voters actually select their delegates, not actual candidates and none of the delegates are bound to vote for a particular candidate before the GOP convention in Florida this August.

As for local Republicans, Judge Lane says their thinking is apparently different than Iowans when it comes to choosing a candidate. “The people around here are far less ideological and theological,” he said. “They want a winner and someone they are comfortable with voting for…they lean toward a more moderate candidate.” Lane said that would likely be Mitt Romney.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich came in fourth Tuesday night, apparently losing all the momentum his campaign gained in early December.

Some pundits, including Howard Fineman of the Huffington Post, predict last night’s sixth place finish will pressure U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota to give up her campaign.  Prior to the Iowa caucus, Bachmann indicated she would press ahead to South Carolina.

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman finished in seventh place after making a strategic decision to focus on New Hampshire, hoping perhaps to gain the same type of surge Rick Santorum may gain from finishing well in Iowa.

According to CNN, Santorum’s recent surge has resulted in a 300 to 400 percent increase in campaign donations over the last ten days.

New Yorkers who want to cast their ballot in the closed primary have until March 30 to register as Republican voters. Anyone interested in getting involved with the Republican party on a local level should contact Judge Peter Lane by email [peterlaneesq@aol.com].