Romney Takes New Hampshire, Santorum Falls to Fifth

The results of the New Hampshire Republican primary may change the pace of the current horse race for the party's presidential nomination. 

After coming up short in polling, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is currently poised to win with a decisive lead. Questions about Romney's ability to ignite voter enthusiasm linger, however.  

Former Texas congressman Ron Paul will likely finish second. Paul's campaign for the Republican nomination has been noteworthy, in part, because of his consistent criticism of both his Republican opponents and many of the national policies enacted under former Republican administrations. 

But the most surprising reversal of fortune visited former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum. After a rally in Iowa that his supporters hoped would ignite his campaign, Santorum has fallen to fifth place behind former House speaker Newt Gingrich.

Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman has pulled up to third place after languishing in near obscurity for months. Texas governor Rick Perry has taken the former ambassador to China's place at the back of the pack finishing in sixth place.