Can Romney Close the Deal?

Politics your voice your vote it is about to Begin. The ground is frozen in Iowa tonight and neighbors -- argued over backyard fences and casserole dinners but in 24 hours. They will cast the first... See More

Politics your voice your vote it is about to Begin. The ground is frozen in Iowa tonight and neighbors -- argued over backyard fences and casserole dinners but in 24 hours. They will cast the first votes of Republican battle for the White House signaling America what's on their minds. So who are these voters and expected to 120000. People 60% are evangelical Christians. Nearly 40% are boomers making Iowa the fifth oldest state in the nation the average income just under 50000 dollars. ABC news has been covering Iowa for more than a year and with the clock ticking tonight ABC's Jake Tapper and anchor David Muir. Spent today in Iowa Jake starts us off with the contender enjoying the late game surge Jake. Good evening guy and -- just a few hours ago this restaurant was bursting at the scenes all eyes are on the man. With the momentum former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum he built himself. As the consistent conservative and he is surging here in Iowa having gone from a last place in the polls the third to second to looking to shock the political world. At a packed pizza ranch restaurant in Boone Iowa Rick Santorum tells voters not to pick a more moderate candidate like Mitt Romney. But to go with their gut. -- -- -- To others who don't know the candidates as well if you're -- through an old fashioned shoe leather campaign of shaking hands and kissing babies Santorum has become the candidate to watch money. Doesn't buy Iowa propelled in no small way because of the support of Christian conservatives. He clearly -- and a moral man has high integrity he's winning them over with his stand as a culture warrior emphasizing his strong opposition to abortion and same sex marriage. But he argues is -- is beyond those key Republican voters pointing to his two wins as senator in the all important battleground state of Pennsylvania. Talk a lot of them he won an important swing state Pennsylvania we'll talk a lot about. You got defeated in 2006 -- so much easier for Republicans in the streets. This is going to be 2006. The other -- drawing crowds and the watchful eye of the Romney campaign. Texas congressman Ron hall this is what they vote is about to Amara. Are we sick and -- of the expansion of government the -- spending and the deficit. Doing the things they weren't supposed to do and forgetting about doing the things -- should be doing. Both -- and Santorum faced questions about their appeal to the independents and moderates who will decide the election this November. And her ability to translate a strong showing here it is something more. Jake Tapper ABC news Boone Iowa. This is David Muir in very and I what -- -- Mitt Romney is trying to close the deal. Four years ago he spent ten million dollars here and lost on the net. Everybody likes -- first place finish and but I didn't get that four years later he wants Iowa but -- carefully -- -- with us not to call himself the front runner. -- it's -- governor you stick toward the top of the -- but you wanna say that you are appetite. No I think I think there are three people right now father all within spitting distance of another -- -- will -- of Ron Paul of Rick santorum's numbers you Gingrich had a fleeting moment at the top. Until a barrage of negative that saved his poll numbers into a free fall and has more baggage didn't airlines. Behind many of the ads -- -- those shuttle groups a super pac. He -- by some of Romney's wealthiest supporters -- compared it to John Kerry being swift boat you know for. What do you make of the negative ads do you support them. -- speaker Gingrich is support has fallen off I think more broadly than just here in Iowa that is because of the negative ads I think the reason for the -- decline across the country and and that. In New Hampshire is something he can address. And then Romney's recent one liners comparing Newt Gingrich -- failure to get on the Virginia ballot to Lucille Ball the chocolate factory. And it just the past 24 hours comparing president Obama's campaign promises to Kim Kardashian into -- I think the the gap between his promises. And his performance. Is the largest I've seen. Well since the Kardashian wedding are you coming up at these lines he would help -- the. Africa it's and that's people offers suggestion -- any other times. They were my own my favorite by the way it was the island -- line -- that -- that was mine all by myself out of the critics -- -- candidate I get advice from one of my friends on the bus. You -- -- save you though that's enough you wanted to lines to keep coming absolutely. So the governor their late today acknowledging they're not always his lines but he says will continue to use them as long as he continues to see the momentum. He's witnessing here in Iowa especially with New Hampshire his own backyard coming next. It's a Diana -- lot of -- -- line. Who knows what's coming next -- have K David your reporting and in Jake Tapper as well timed to bring in. Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos and anchors this week -- it's like to see you tonight and he got so here we are what a year we've been -- a half. And -- 24 hours ago what. The big lesson the big -- -- -- -- idol always bring surprises but never so many before the first votes look at what's happened the last several months just about. Every candidate has had the lead in Iowa at one time or another and yet at the end. The -- voters seemed poised to come back. -- establishment candidate but the big organization who's got the money and he's run before and that is Mitt Romney. Points to put him in a commanding position for this nomination -- seven. Different front runner since may be just an unbelievable -- so can anybody stop -- at this -- you know you never say never because have been so many surprises but it looks so hard because what Iowa seems poised to do as well. Is knock out the two candidates but the best chance to have kind of national reach and national organization and that is Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry they looked. To come in fourth and fifth. Going to be very hard to recover from former senator Rick Santorum -- -- was about he could even win. He could win Iowa but he doesn't have the -- he doesn't have the organization and perhaps most important. He hasn't yet faced the kind of negative ads became -- and -- case. All right George well as you well value and are going to be standing by tomorrow night here at ABC news election headquarters the team will be fanned out across Iowa. Bringing you the results as they comment and don't forget the next big debate. George and I will moderate in New Hampshire showed up starts at 9 PM eastern. 6 Pacific and do not -- -- Saturday.