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:

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 …

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.

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 …

Rickrolled: Three Lessons from Iowa … - Is the Virginia Law Keeping Perry and Gingrich Off the Ballot Constitutional?  — The Real Threat to Marriage Isn't Gay Marriage—It's Straight Civil Unions  — The App That Keeps You Going to the Gym by Charging You Money When You Don't

First Thoughts: What we learned from last night  —  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 …

DNC chairwoman: Romney's Iowa caucus win is ‘a loss’  —  The chairwoman for the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday sought to slow Mitt Romney's momentum as the winner of the Iowa caucuses, the first vote of the 2012 primary season.  —  “When is a win a loss?

Bachmann cancels SC trip after poor Iowa finish  —  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann canceled her campaign trip to South Carolina on Wednesday after a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses.  —  Campaign manager Keith Nahigian told The Associated Press …

“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 …

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 …

Iowa Results Show Romney's Weakness Even Against GOP ‘Unelectables’  —  What can you say about an alleged frontrunner who could barely top the Man-on-Dog guy?  If Mitt Romney can't beat Rick Santorum, he ought to find another party to run in.  —  You gotta love a party in which Mitt Romney …

AP sources: Obama bucks GOP, OKs consumer watchdog  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — In a defiant display of executive power, President Barack Obama on Wednesday will buck GOP opposition and name Richard Cordray as the nation's chief consumer watchdog even though the Senate contends the move is inappropriate …