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Iowa caucuses: Romney and Santorum tie Republican race Iowa caucuses: Romney and Santorum tie Republican race
(40 minutes later)
Preliminary results from the Iowa caucuses show Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney locked in a tie, with Ron Paul finishing third.Preliminary results from the Iowa caucuses show Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney locked in a tie, with Ron Paul finishing third.
With 98% of votes counted, they are separated by 41 votes. With 99% of votes counted, Mr Santorum led by five votes.
Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann have settled firmly into a second tier of candidates.Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann have settled firmly into a second tier of candidates.
The caucus meetings are the first time voters have a say in the race to face Democratic President Barack Obama in November's general election.The caucus meetings are the first time voters have a say in the race to face Democratic President Barack Obama in November's general election.
Tuesday evening's contest launches months of caucuses and primary elections in 50 states, Washington DC and other territories, culminating in the Republican National Convention in August where the party nominee will be formally anointed.Tuesday evening's contest launches months of caucuses and primary elections in 50 states, Washington DC and other territories, culminating in the Republican National Convention in August where the party nominee will be formally anointed.
In the caucusIn the caucus
98% of precincts reporting 99% of precincts reporting
Mr Paul, a Texas congressman, finished third and vowed to continue onto New Hampshire, which holds a primary election next week.Mr Paul, a Texas congressman, finished third and vowed to continue onto New Hampshire, which holds a primary election next week.
"This momentum is going to continue," he told a jubilant crowd of supporters. "We will go on, we will raise the money.""This momentum is going to continue," he told a jubilant crowd of supporters. "We will go on, we will raise the money."
Finishing fifth, Texas Governor Rick Perry said he was returning to his home state in order to "determine whether there is a path forward for myself in this race".Finishing fifth, Texas Governor Rick Perry said he was returning to his home state in order to "determine whether there is a path forward for myself in this race".
Mr Gingrich, who saw a brief lead evaporate under a barrage of negative advertising last month, pledged to remain in the race and challenge Mr Romney, "a Massachusetts moderate".Mr Gingrich, who saw a brief lead evaporate under a barrage of negative advertising last month, pledged to remain in the race and challenge Mr Romney, "a Massachusetts moderate".
"We are not going to go out and run nasty ads," said Mr Gingrich, who finished fourth."We are not going to go out and run nasty ads," said Mr Gingrich, who finished fourth.
"But I do reserve the right to tell the truth. And if the truth seems negative that may be more of a comment on his record than it is about politics.""But I do reserve the right to tell the truth. And if the truth seems negative that may be more of a comment on his record than it is about politics."
Ms Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman, finished sixth, and urged voters not to let the media anoint a Republican nominee based on the Iowa results.Ms Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman, finished sixth, and urged voters not to let the media anoint a Republican nominee based on the Iowa results.
An estimated record 123,000 voters gathered at more than 1,700 fire stations, schools, public buildings and private homes ahead of the official 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT) start to the voting.An estimated record 123,000 voters gathered at more than 1,700 fire stations, schools, public buildings and private homes ahead of the official 20:00 EST (01:00 GMT) start to the voting.
Preliminary exit poll results from ABC News indicated independent voters - who are allowed to register as Republicans and participate in the caucuses - had voted heavily in favour of Mr Paul.Preliminary exit poll results from ABC News indicated independent voters - who are allowed to register as Republicans and participate in the caucuses - had voted heavily in favour of Mr Paul.
Evangelical Christians were split between Mr Santorum and Mr Paul, and the half of caucus-goers describing themselves as "very conservative" were tilting to Mr Santorum.Evangelical Christians were split between Mr Santorum and Mr Paul, and the half of caucus-goers describing themselves as "very conservative" were tilting to Mr Santorum.
Also, ABC's exit poll showed Mr Romney doing well among older voters - a significant chunk of the electorate.Also, ABC's exit poll showed Mr Romney doing well among older voters - a significant chunk of the electorate.
Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is on the ballot, but did not campaign in Iowa.Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is on the ballot, but did not campaign in Iowa.
Small town affairsSmall town affairs
In the caucuses, voters are allowed to speak on behalf of the candidates they support, followed by a vote, the results of which are transmitted on to the media and to the state Republican party.In the caucuses, voters are allowed to speak on behalf of the candidates they support, followed by a vote, the results of which are transmitted on to the media and to the state Republican party.
Many of the caucuses are tiny affairs held in small towns in each of Iowa's 99 counties.Many of the caucuses are tiny affairs held in small towns in each of Iowa's 99 counties.
In Dawson, fewer than 20 voters gathered at a fire station to hold a caucus amid the fire trucks, reports BBC North America Editor Mark Mardell.In Dawson, fewer than 20 voters gathered at a fire station to hold a caucus amid the fire trucks, reports BBC North America Editor Mark Mardell.
A hall in a school in Des Moines was overflowing with caucus-goers, reports the BBC's Steve Kingstone.A hall in a school in Des Moines was overflowing with caucus-goers, reports the BBC's Steve Kingstone.
"It's hard to spot a Bachmann fan, but other candidates all have support here," he reports."It's hard to spot a Bachmann fan, but other candidates all have support here," he reports.
Iowa is not expected to settle the contest - John McCain, the eventual Republican nominee in 2008, came fourth in the state's caucuses that year - but it will help shape the race for the White House.Iowa is not expected to settle the contest - John McCain, the eventual Republican nominee in 2008, came fourth in the state's caucuses that year - but it will help shape the race for the White House.
Unsatisfied conservativesUnsatisfied conservatives
The Iowa campaign has been a roller coaster affair since the summer, with Ms Bachmann, Mr Perry and Mr Gingrich each taking a brief turn at the head of the pack.The Iowa campaign has been a roller coaster affair since the summer, with Ms Bachmann, Mr Perry and Mr Gingrich each taking a brief turn at the head of the pack.
Those three - along with ex-candidate Herman Cain - were buoyed by support from conservatives unsatisfied with Mr Romney, who held steady in second place in polling. But each in turn collapsed under further scrutiny or, in Mr Gingrich's case, a heavy negative advertising.Those three - along with ex-candidate Herman Cain - were buoyed by support from conservatives unsatisfied with Mr Romney, who held steady in second place in polling. But each in turn collapsed under further scrutiny or, in Mr Gingrich's case, a heavy negative advertising.
Mr Romney lost in Iowa in 2008 amid voter scepticism over his Mormon faith and the depth of his conservative principles.Mr Romney lost in Iowa in 2008 amid voter scepticism over his Mormon faith and the depth of his conservative principles.
But he can win this time, analysts say, if the evangelical Christian vote is split across competing conservative candidates - including Mr Santorum, Mr Perry and Ms Bachmann.But he can win this time, analysts say, if the evangelical Christian vote is split across competing conservative candidates - including Mr Santorum, Mr Perry and Ms Bachmann.
After Iowa, the state of New Hampshire holds its primary election on 10 January. Mitt Romney has a big lead there.After Iowa, the state of New Hampshire holds its primary election on 10 January. Mitt Romney has a big lead there.
Over the next six months, each US state will vote on the presidential contenders before a final nominee is selected.Over the next six months, each US state will vote on the presidential contenders before a final nominee is selected.
Voters remain concerned by the slow pace of economic recovery from the recession that started during the end of the presidency of George W Bush and officially ended in 2009.Voters remain concerned by the slow pace of economic recovery from the recession that started during the end of the presidency of George W Bush and officially ended in 2009.
Are you in Iowa? Will you be casting your vote? Please send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Iowa? Will you be casting your vote? Please send us your comments using the form below.