Santorum Surge in Precinct Numbers Exceeds Poll Projections  —  UPDATE 8:55 p.m. CT: The latest with 31% of precincts:  —  Mitt Romney ...... 7,844 (23%)  —  Rick Santorum .... 7,726 (23%)  —  Ron Paul ............. 7,655 (23%)  —  Newt Gingrich ..... 4,440 (13%)  —  Rick Perry ........... 3,433 (10%)

Romney Wins Iowa Caucus by 8 Votes  —  “Onto New Hampshire, let's get that job done!”  Mitt Romney told supporters before being declared the winner.  More Photos »  —  DES MOINES — Mitt Romney's quest to swiftly lock down the Republican presidential nomination with a commanding finish …

The trouble with my uncle, Rick Santorum  —  If you want another big-government politician who supports the status quo to run our country, you should vote for my uncle, Rick Santorum.  America is based on a strong belief in individual liberty.  My uncle's interventionist policies …

“We have nearly reached the Rubicon when the ‘not Romney’ crowd is pining for Jon Huntsman”  —  So says Erick Erickson.  Is he right? … Can he atone for that flipping of the bird before next Tuesday?  Ninety-five percent of you will say “NO” in the comments, but let's …

Campaign manager says Bachmann may drop out  —  WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Michele Bachmann's campaign manager says it's hard to tell whether she will continue her campaign after a bleak showing in the Iowa caucuses.  —  Asked if he could say with certainty whether she would go forward …

Romney wins Iowa by 8 votes - Fallout: Perry done; Santorum strong; Gingrich angry - Cordray recess appointment?  - Oil surges on Iran fear  —  By Ben White (bwhite@politico.com; Twitter: @morningmoneyben)  —  ROMNEY WINS IOWA BY 8 VOTES - With 100 percent of Iowa precincts reporting …

Everything You Heard Last Night Was Bull, Perry Might Want to Stay In, & a Newtlear Attack  —  As you wake up this morning, Rick Santorum only lost to Mitt Romney by 8 votes.  Santorum spent about a dollar per vote and Romney spent hundreds of dollars for his votes.

Lessons from Iowa's GOP squeaker  —  What we learned from last night: 1) Romney still has a problem with his party's conservative base... 2) Rick Santorum may be for real... 3) New Hampshire is going to be fascinating to watch... Also: Measuring Santorum's NH bounce... Romney gets McCain's endorsement …

Bachmann cancels South Carolina trip  —  Per a tweet from the AP, Michele Bachmann has canceled her planned trip to South Carolina, and has called a press conference for 10 a.m. central time.  —  I've emailed a campaign spokeswoman and haven't heard back.  —  But after Bachmann's …

Winning Ugly, but Winning  —  I don't care if you call it a win or a tie.  In Iowa on Tuesday, Mitt Romney had a performance that looks ugly on the stat sheet , but which accomplished quite a bit when you consider it in its broader context.  —  The two most important things that Mr. Romney accomplished are as follows:

McCain to endorse Romney tomorrow  —  John McCain will endorse his '08 rival Mitt Romney tomorrow, a top Republican source confirmed to POLITICO.  —  The Arizona senator fought a bitter nomination battle with Romney four years ago, though Romney has worked to mend the relationship since then.

After strong Iowa showing, Santorum campaign looks ahead to SC  —  CHARLESTON, S.C. - As Rick Santorum's supporters celebrated his strong Iowa showing, they were also making preparations for a push through South Carolina that will begin even before the New Hampshire primary vote.  —  Andrew Burton / Getty Images