Here’s Where the GOP Candidates Stand Before Iowa Caucuses
If history is any indication, the Iowa caucuses may not determine the GOP nominee for president, but it will play a vital role in which of the seven major candidates will watch the next few debates from the comfort of their living rooms or remain under the hot spotlights of the stage. For example, in 2008 former Arkansas Gov. and now Fox News Host Mike Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses with a commanding 34 percent of the vote, followed by Mitt Romney at 25 percent. The eventual nominee, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) finished fourth behind former Tennessee Sen. and movie star Fred Thompson whose lackluster campaign ended before he could take advantage of the southern vote in Super Tuesday. Interestingly, Ron Paul finished in fifth place with ten percent. Chances are almost certain he’ll do much better in 2012. Of the two Republican candidates who have left the stage so far, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was the first casualty and the Iowa turned out to be the straw that broke his back. After investing nearly all of his resources in hopes of winning the Iowa straw poll, Pawlenty finished a distant third behind fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann who finished first [...]