News Analysis | Iowa Caucuses

Uniting a split GOP is next hurdle

Tea Party supporters and Christian evangelicals turned out in large numbers for Mitt Romney’s chief rivals, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, highlighting deep divides within the GOP.

slider -- Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney addresses supports with his family behind him during a Romney for President Iowa Caucus night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Charlie Neibergall/associated press

Members of his family behind him, Mitt Romney addressed supporters at his night rally in Des Moines.

slider -- Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is joined by his wife Karen as he waves to supporters at his Iowa caucus victory party Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in Johnston, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Charlie Riedel/associated press

Rick Santorum waved to supporters alongside his wife, Karen, in Johnston, Iowa.

slider -- Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks to local residents during a campaign stop at the Hotel Pattee, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, in Perry, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Charlie Neibergall/associated press

Governor Rick Perry of Texas said he would reassess his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

slider -- Republican presidential candidate Congressman Ron Paul speaks to supporters at his Iowa Caucus night rally in Ankeny, Iowa, January 3, 2012. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Jim Young/REUTERS

Ron Paul addressed supporters in his night rally in Ankeny, Iowa, after finishing third in the caucuses.

slider -- Republican presidential candidate former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks during his caucus night rally as his wife Callista applauds in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Chris Carlson/associated press

After finishing fourth, Newt Gingrich said the race for the Republican nomination was just beginning.

SLIDER-- Voters debate during a caucus of precinct 42 near Smithland, Iowa, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum shared the straw poll ballot with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann in a caucus race as jumbled as any in the 40 years since Iowa gained the presidential campaign lead-off position. (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

Dave Weaver/associated press

Voters debated last night during a caucus near Smithland, Iowa.

slider -- Jay Tessmer, of Clermont, Iowa, second from left, hands the hat to his son, Jacob Tessmer, 18, to deposit his ballot during the Republican caucus for Clermont and Pleasant Valley / Elgin precincts at the Clermont Opera House on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2011, in Clermont. (AP Photo/The Gazette, Liz Martin)

Liz Martin/the gazette/associated press

A father and son from Clermont, Iowa, voted at a caucus at the Clermont Opera House.

Slider image -- Voters line up to register for the Republican caucus for Clermont and Pleasant Valley/Elgin precincts at the Clermont Opera House on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2011, in Clermont, Iowa. (AP Photo/The Gazette, Liz Martin)

Liz Martin/the gazette/associated press

Voters waited to register at the Clermont Opera House.

Iowa caucuses

Romney edges Santorum by 8 votes

Iowa Republican Party officials announced early this morning that Mitt Romney beat Rick Santorum by just 8 votes, an outcome that blunted the momentum Romney would have otherwise carried into the N.H. primary.

Brian McGrory

Mitt, we still hardly know ye

Mitt Romney was typically at his best in his unscripted moments - when he allowed it. But now the question becomes, will he show the nation more than he showed us.

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., center, joined by husband Marcus, left, family and friends, announces that she will end her campaign for president Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Bachmann suspends presidential bid

After a poor showing in Iowa, Michele Bachmann has ‘‘decided to stand aside’’ and suspend her bid for president.

Fresh from Iowa victory, Romney hits the airwaves

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Mitt Romney expressed how he and his campaign haven’t gotten to know surprise opponent Rick Santorum.

Retail politics on a budget brings unexpected success

Rick Santorum’s successful Iowa campaign ran on a shoestring budget, eschewing luxury motorcoaches for a Dodge pickup truck.

Boston, MA., 07/21/10, State Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, who led the state's highest court in its historic ruling on same-sex marriage, will retire to be with her ailing husband. Section; Metro Globe staff Suzanne Kreiter Library Tag 07222010 National/Foreign

Marshall returns to private law practice in Boston

Former chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court Margaret H. Marshall, who wrote the 2003 decision legalizing gay marriage in the state, joins Choate, Hall & Stewart this week.

Former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray spoke at an event in Columbus, Ohio, in 2010.

Obama to tap Cordray with recess appointment

President Obama plans to use a recess appointment to name Richard Cordray as head of the Financial Protection Bureau, circumventing a Senate that had blocked his nomination.

“There remains a clear battle over who is going to dominate in the Republican Party.”

David Redlawsk,  a political science professor and director of polling at Rutgers

Business

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Sears’ new retail czar joins an ailing icon

Sears chose Ron Boire, Brookstone Inc.’s chief executive, to serve as its chief merchandising officer and help bring customers back into its stores.

Politics

Political notebook

Gingrich calls Romney liar over role in ads

Newt Gingrich called Mitt Romney a liar for saying he has no role in or responsibility for a barrage of negative TV ads credited with damaging Gingrich's campaign in Iowa.

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