A Change in Iowa

The 8-vote difference in the Iowa caucus was unprecedented.  It was the closest contest in Iowa caucus history.  Oddly enough, this 8-vote difference has made it difficult for Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum to benefit fully from what are historically known as huge bragging rights for an Iowa victor.

Image from Politico.com

Today things changed dramatically.  The Iowa Republican party of Iowa released newly certified results for the Iowa contest showing Rick Santorum with a 34 point lead over Mitt Romney.  They initially declared the race a virtual tie or deadlock, because 8 of the Iowa precincts could not be certified.

Later today, GOP chairman Matt Strawn, went a step further than the GOP and announced, that even without the certified totals from 8 precincts, he was ready to announce that Rick Santorum was the true winner in Iowa.

It has been said that Mitt Romney has personally called Rick Santorum to congratulate him on the win.

The outcome is obviously a real blow to the Romney camp--bragging rights stripped never feels good to any candidate.  But this outcome is also a huge blow to the Santorum camp.

If Rick Santorum truly won Iowa, then these newly adjusted caucus results have hurt him tremendously in his bid for the nomination.  If he won there, then should be able to walk away certain that his victory was real.  This delay cost him.  Furthermore, without certified results from 8 precincts, one will always question.

Iowa has long prided themselves in playing a key role in our presidential election process.  By many accounts, the outcome of the Iowa primary is key to a candidate being able to secure the nomination for their party.  The Iowa caucus is incredibly meaningful.

This announcement today that the certified results have been changed regardless of the fact that not every precinct was certified is outrageous and it is questionable why no one seems to be holding the Iowa GOP accountable for a monstrous mistake.  Their inability to irrefutably announce a clear winner is shameful.

With regards to Mitt Romney?  This change is obviously demoralizing and could play a major role reversal in his campaign momentum.

Truth is, this isn't good for either side; both got robbed.

I read an interview that NBC News conducted with Des Moines Register reporter David Yepsen.  He nailed it when he said, "One of the strengths of the Iowa caucus process is that the state was a level playing field.  Candidates could come to the state and get an honest airing.  There aren't political machines or history of fraud.  The inaccurate counting tarnishes that reputation."

I couldn't agree more.

The Iowa GOP blew it and should be ashamed of themselves for not accurately tallying and certifying the votes.  They have lost credibility.