If Romney wins in Iowa?

[Kevin]

So what happen's if the De Facto frontrunner Mitten's win's in Iowa? Is the race pretty for the nod pretty much over at that point? Will the other "conservative" alternatives like Gingrich, Santorum, Perry etc fall to the wayside?

I mean if Romney wins here he is pretty much gurenteed NH moving forward and the rest of the state organization in SC like DeMint and others will most likely fall in behind him.

So is the nomination pretty much Romney's should he win in IA?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Sadly, it's over. Though an old FOTM might win SC, it won't really matter.

[JohnCA246]

Not necessarily. If 80% or so of Bachman, Perry, and Santorum voters back Newt after NH, he could still win. Meanwhile, if Paul is able to gather 25% of voters until the bitter end things could be interesting. Probably unlikely, but I give it a 30% or so chance.

[RogueBeaver]

He's the nominee. Not that it was ever really in doubt with the exception of Perry's entrance boomlet.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

The GOP will likely make history as Romney wins the nomination without SC.

[RogueBeaver]

If Romney wins Iowa and NH, the momentum should carry him through to SC, since Gingrich will probably rapidly collapse if he continues cratering in Iowa. A small plurality victory like a hypothetical Iowa one, but a victory nonetheless. Unlike McCain, he'll use the time wisely to fundraise, retool for the GE and vet potential Veeps.

[tmthforu94]

Yes.

The only scenario where he wouldn't is if Gingrich had strong showings in New Hampshire and Iowa, then the other conservatives (Santorum, Perry, Bachmann) dropped out and endorsed him. He'd then have to win South Carolina and Florida to make it a race.

That being said, all of those falling into place is unlikely. Perry will likely stay in for South Carolina, as will Santorum if he does well in Iowa. Bachmann's endorsement wouldn't help him much anyways. Also, the chances of Gingrich doing well (top 4) in Iowa is also looking pretty grim.