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In the second contest for the Republican slot in the race for president in 2012, Mitt Romney won New Hampshire after record numbers of voters went to the polls.
The Final Results
This is Romney’s second time finishing in first place, after also besting his political opponents in Iowa’s caucuses last week. Texas Representative Ron Paul finished in second place, while third place went to Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. Going neck and neck for fourth place were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum. Texas Governor Rick Perry brought in the rear.
Polls Predicted Outcome
Romney’s victory was not a surprise as polls over the last few weeks predicted the outcome of the primary, as well as the record turnout. The next battle-ground is South Carolina, where their primary will take place on January 21st. None of the contenders have yet to bow out of the race, preferring to continue the fight, at least as of now.
Making History
The voting results represent an historical event, Romney told his exuberant supporters after the voting. No other non-incumbent candidate has ever won both Iowa and New Hampshire, implying that Romney has a good chance of not only winning the Republican nomination, but even the presidential election itself.
“Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow we go back to work,” Romney said, immediately assuming the posture of the Republican nominee who will face President Barack Obama in the November election.
Calling Obama “a failed president,” Romney said he was asking “the good people of South Carolina to join the good citizens of New Hampshire to make 2012 the year he (Obama) runs out of time.”
