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Can rick santorum blunt his -- >> it's going to be tough. in other states, romney was already behind in like ohio, michigan. he was behind in the polls and came from behind and barely beat santorum. the poll this morning, romney is ahead slightly. but he's ahead in illinois. he's already advertising there. rick santorum, i don't believe is at this point. so it's going to be really tough and it's a really important victory for romney in particular. actually for both candidates. everything is must-win at this point. but illinois will be an important one. >> ki ki, this has to be frustrating for ...

Because it should be a state he is going to win easily, that is not exactly a strong finish although if he finishes second, even if it's a squeaker that will be something of a defeat. it doesn't change the overall dynamic of the race. romney is the one who is sort of in control. it's a long marathon. he has got the resources. slowly. he is the tortoise slowly but surely. i do think it points to how weak a candidate he is. you know, he he should not have to struggle to beat santorum who came out of nowhere. and just squeak it out or perhaps come in second. >> bill: isn't that a little misleadin...

Get the nomination, so how much do you have to beat santorum by tonight to rule him out from getting the nomination? that is a wider margin than what romney will win by. >> and steve, what does romney have to aim at here? >> well, he was so close to being the de facto nominee of the party until missouri, and colorado and minnesota and until the santorum sweep. he was inches away, so they are not taking anything for granted anymore. he has to give a good speech. i think that he beat santorum tonight, but he didn't break him. the drama over michigan now moves to ohio which is a far more importan...

Party, that helped him get where he was by the middle of december. however, the television advertising took him out. if he wants to be viable again, he'd better go after romney and santorum. >> if we could bring john avlon in. romney eked by. is this really a victory? john, what does this really mean? >> it's a really great and important question because people are using the phrase "virtual tie." let's put this in larger context. romney won by eight votes. romney actually got six votes less than he got four years ago in iowa. he's still the only man -- yeah, and millions of dollars. he outspen...

the real winner in the caucuses, though it may have certainly been rick santorum who truly, within eight votes just missed the top spot. take a look at those numbers on your leaderboard. it's just absolutely miraculous. the closest iowa caucus vote in history. the top four, mitt romney, santorum, ron paul and newt gingrich. >> and it didn't become official until about 2:30 eastern time this morning if you were watching. so we have romney congratulating santorum. and he says that he and santorum are actually both winners. and both candidates are looking forward now to new hampshire, t...