Iowa caucus results: Santorum and Romney in dead heat

CBS

UPDATED 12:57 p.m. ET

Doors have closed at caucus precincts across Iowa, and early results show Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in a dead heat with Ron Paul close behind.

CBS News entrance polling reveals Romney's voters are looking for someone who can beat President Obama, while Santorum's voters looking for a true conservative. Paul's voters are male, younger, and many are first-time caucus goers.

With 1,749 of 1,774 precincts reporting, Romney and Santorum were tied for the lead at 25 percent while Paul followed with 21 percent.

After finishing in a disappointing fifth place with 10 percent of the vote, Rick Perry said Tuesday night he is returning to his home state of Texas to "determine whether there is a path forward for me in this race." Rep. Michele Bachmann was in sixth place, with just 5 percent. Jon Huntsman decided not to compete in Iowa.

Full Iowa results
Iowa entrance poll results
Full Republican primary results

The precincts closed their doors at 7 p.m. CT, leaving Republican voters in the Hawkeye State to be the first to weigh in on this year's presidential contest. As of 11:30 p.m. ET, 123,000 were estimated to have participated in the caucuses -- more than 2008 and a record.

The caucus process is straightforward: Registered Republicans at the caucuses pass around paper ballots or may just write their choice on pieces of paper. The results are tallied and called into party headquarters.

On the ground in Iowa: Many still undecided
Iowa's bad track record for picking GOP winners
Full CBSNews.com coverage: Election 2012

The contest for the Republican presidential nomination has been hard fought over several months, with just about every candidate taking a turn leading in the polls. In both Iowa and nationwide polls, Romney has maintained the support of 20 percent to 30 percent of GOP voters. His GOP rivals, meanwhile, each enjoyed a temporary surge only to lose momentum.

Technically speaking, the caucuses are largely symbolic -- the results will represent the viewpoints of just a fraction of the American population. Iowa will send just 25 dedicated delegates to the Republican National Convention in Florida, where a candidate will need the support of at least 1,143 to win the presidential nomination. On top of all that, the Iowa delegates aren't officially chosen on caucus night -- they're selected at a state convention in June. (There are also three undedicated delegates who will also attend the June convention.)

That said, the caucuses could alter the dynamics of the race. Perry could be the first casualty of the nominating process, after his poor finish, and Bachmann may be reassessing her campaign as well. Their exit from the race could consolidate more support behind Santorum, or it could benefit Newt Gingrich -- in either case, Romney will have to work harder to prove he can get past Republican voters' suspicions that he is too moderate.

Romney's strong standing in Iowa defies the low expectations he set early in the year by paying the state little attention, but he has campaigned there vigorously in the past week. If he can win Iowa, Romney will have greater momentum -- but also higher expectations to meet -- in New Hampshire, where he already holds a double-digit lead.

Video: Iowa GOP chair on importance of caucuses
Video: Inside the Iowa caucuses

Since the modern system of Iowa and New Hampshire voting first was created in 1976, no non-incumbent Republican has ever won both. Back-to-back victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, which takes place January 10, would be a significant symbolic score for Romney. After finishing second in Iowa four years ago, Romney is prepared for a drawn out nominating contest with strong organizations in several states this year, but he's also looking ahead to the general election.

In the final days of Iowa campaigning, Romney's rivals have sought to derail his lead. Newt Gingrich unequivocally called Romney a liar on CBS' The Early Show, while Paul launched an aggressive radio ad calling Romney a liberal.

Paul has attracted an ardent base of supporters with his libertarian views and has the organization to carry his campaign beyond Iowa.

Santorum, meanwhile, is finally reaping the benefits of more than 100 days of campaigning in Iowa. He was swarmed by press from all over the world Monday, CBS News political director John Dickerson reports.

Perry and Bachmann have been busy making a final appeal to Iowans, both arguing they are authentic conservatives -- unlike the frontrunners.

40 Photos

On the trail in Iowa

[DSBsky]

I hope no one believes these numbers. The polls have been falsified and Ron Paul is actually in the top. Likely still even in 1st.. This biased news stuff needs to stop. It's bordering on a kind of treason against the American people. Your lying about the facts and distorting the truth. That is not what the news is for. That's what the enquirer is for.. Keep it up and the American people will find a way to put you all up in court.

[BUDDYofPA]

If Mitt Romney makes it the US Mint will begin printing "Three Dollar" Bills and issuing "Fools Gold" Coins Counterfeit is as Counterfeit Does !

[BWB2020]

Magic underwear with santorum.

Even the baggers know they don't have a chance!!!

Obama 2012, Michelle 2016, me 2020!!!

[Neilm1]

Choose your pick for President: a loser, a fake, an eccentric, a grinch, a male airhead, a female airhead and an outsider.

That sums up the Iowa caucuses. Poor Republicans. lol.

[BWB2020]

What outsider? Do you mean outside reality?

Thy all are, if that is the case!!!

[DSBsky]

What an uneducated response. Please for the love of God do some research man. Look at what Ron Paul is saying. How can you not be for it? Need to use that power to vote and do some good with it when you actually have a chance. Ron Paul 2012!

[sternhead]

Romney & Santorum are eyeless empty husks whistling in the wind.

[tmn]

Santorum - the frothy mix of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the by-product of anal...well, you get the idea

[Happy_Holidays1]

Is that still on Google? LMAO!

[nanc12]

So Mr. Frothy Mix defeats the Mittwit. And millions of dollars were spent to buy 125,000 votes. Great job, repubs! Oh, repub women? If you want Mr. Frothy to be president, you might want to stock up on your birth control before he outlaws it, just sayin.

[Happy_Holidays1]

by ConservativestHispanic

Admit it, obamao is the worst president in American history - good riddance to him and his tribe in 2012.

====

Missed GWB, eh?

I hope you recover well from your coma.

[angrycraig]

GWB is by far the worst president in American history, hands down. It seems like every previous president has fouled up the country for the next guy to deal with.

[Happy_Holidays1]

His Dad was pretty good, in retrospect, imo. Too bad the apple got chucked about as far from the tree as possible.

[Happy_Holidays1]

by TellitTrue January 4, 2012 12:54 AM EST
You folks don't know a thing about Jesus. He said:"Feed My sheep." He didn't say "take money away from some so the rest can afford their smart phones." Please save the Christian advice. You clearly don't have a clue what you're talking about.

===

I know more than you do, apparently. I'm ordained.

Jesus, as president, wouldn't wage war on countries which hadn't attacked us, and wouldn't turn his back on the sick and poor.

I'm a fiscal conservative, and social moderate. War is our most-costly item, especially considering the nation building we do in its wake.

.

[Happy_Holidays1]

Doesn't it bother you that both Iraq and Isreal, who we fiscally support, have socialized medicine, and we don't?

[nancy_naive]

THE 0.0004% HAVE SPOKEN! Annoint King Mitt...