Now that it looks like Rick Santorum and Romney are in a virtual tie with Mitt Romney for first place in the Iowa Caucus the big question for Santorum is where does he go from here?
Santorum can't match Romney's advantages in organization and financial backing going into Romney friendly New Hampshire, then South Carolina, and all of the other upcoming states.
Iowa GOP caucus a mixed bag for Romney
"Romney is in the driver's seat in New Hampshire," said Terry Nelson, who advised Tim Pawlenty before he left the presidential race. "Iowa produced no serious candidate to derail him."
Nelson said it "will be very hard" for Santorum, who languished at the back of the pack until the final days, to raise the money and build the organization he will need to compete in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and beyond.
Another GOP consultant, Matt Mackowiak, said Santorum and third-place finisher Ron Paul of Paul cannot match Romney's resources. "Romney had a great night," he said.
I have to agree it was a very good night for Romney even if he does have to share his 1st place finish in Iowa with Rick Santorum. That parity is only temporary.
This looks like the death knell for the Anybody but Romney movement on the Tea Party right of the Republican Party.