USA: Republican presidential candidates campaign ahead of the Iowa caucus, with front-runner Mitt Romney holding a slight edge over rival Ron Paul in Iowa's closely watched Des Moines Register poll

Record ID: 346445

  • Title: USA: Republican presidential candidates campaign ahead of the Iowa caucus, with front-runner Mitt Romney holding a slight edge over rival Ron Paul in Iowa's closely watched Des Moines Register poll
  • Date: 2nd January 2012
  • Summary: OSKALOOSA, IOWA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 01, 2011) (REUTERS) HANDS OF CONGREGANTS WAVING BACK AND FORTH DURING A GOSPEL SONG / WIDESHOT CONGREGATION SWAYING TO THE MUSIC
  • Embargoed: 17th January 2012 12:00
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  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6Z7WFDF97RPXY81I10AFZI1JU
  • Story Text: The Republican White House hopefuls launched a two-day dash to the finish in Iowa on Sunday (January 1), with front-runner Mitt Romney poised for a strong showing that could set him on the path to the nomination.
    Romney held a slight edge over rival Ron Paul in Iowa's closely watched Des Moines Register poll, a crucial barometer of voter sentiment in the first contest in the state-by-state battle to pick a challenger to President Barack Obama in 2012.
    Even a strong second place in Iowa would be good news for the former Massachusetts governor, as Paul is unlikely to be able to compete with him in later contests in New Hampshire and other states.
    Romney, who spent millions in Iowa in 2008 only to lose, has not campaigned hard here until recent days.
    Speaking in at a restaurant in Atlantic, Iowa, Romney said he was encouraged by the support he was receiving from voters in the state.
    "I think it's so hard for the pollsters in a caucus state, where people can show up in different numbers than what the pollsters might have imagined, but I'm encouraged that I'm thought of positively by the people they called on the phone to take the polls. I'm even more encouraged by the people I see at these rallies, and at these events, and the kind of enthusiasm they have, and their willingness to show up on New Year's Day, and their commitment to go to the caucuses," Romney said.
    In Ames, Iowa, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista mingled their way through a restaurant/bar on New Years day on their quest for the Republican party presidential nomination.
    Gingrich is currently trailing both Mitt Romney and Ron Paul in polls, but the former Congressional leader seemed upbeat and optimistic and appeared to win some new supporters.
    Iowa resident Mike Pritchard was one of the voters who turned up to shake Gingrich's hand and he said he was impressed.
    "We don't have to make a decision until Tuesday, so I've been kind of waiting, but I think I've just made my decision," said Pritchard.
    Gingrich said on Saturday (December 31) that he may recalibrate his campaign after attack ads from opponents turned him from the frontrunner in Iowa to a candidate fighting for fourth place. Gingrich has tried to maintain a "positive" message to contrast himself with rivals in Iowa, the first state to hold a presidential nominating contest.
    Michele Bachmann, who could face the end of the line if she does badly in Iowa, went to church in Oskaloosa, near Des Moines, to woo the critical Christian conservative vote, which may be split between her, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich.
    Bachmann has sunk to the bottom of polls and is beset by a lack of money and staff desertions.
    In remarks that were moreso a sermon than a campaign speech, Bachmann flipped adroitly through a worn Bible, citing passages from the Old Testament and New Testament to describe her conversion and deepening of religious faith. Her remarks were punctuated with Amens from the congregation.
    "And I begged the Holy God, 'Lord, even for me, can you save me?' and at that moment he did. He came into my heart and at that moment the Holy Spirit cleansed me and gave me a peace before that I had never had in my heart, Bachman said.
    Bachmann has fallen back into the second tier of candidates.
    She now places in sixth place among Iowa voters, according to the latest Des Moines Register poll.
    Mitt Romney leads the race at 24 percent, followed by Ron Paul at 22 percent, and Rick Santorum at 15 percent.
    Rounding out the field is New Gingrich at 15 percent and Rick Perry at 12 percent.
    Bachmann, at 7 percent, has seen some of her support erode with the surge of Rick Santorum, who appeals to that same base of conservative Christians.
    The other candidate in the race, Jon Huntsman, has not competed in Iowa.
    Iowa voters hold caucuses on Tuesday (January 3) to begin the state-by-state race to determine which Republican they want to send against Democratic President Barack Obama in November.
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