Romney all smiles as Republicans begin to pick their challenger

That's my girl: Mitt Romney applauds his wife Ann as she addresses voters in Clive, Iowa
Paul Thompson13 April 2012

Thousands of Iowa Republicans cast the first ballots of the 2012 battle for the White House today in a vote which looks set to boost Mitt Romney's campaign and end Michele Bachmann's.

After months of TV debates and sparring, the fight to take on Barack Obama in November now appears to be between five main candidates: Romney, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry.

A poor showing in Iowa for any of the hopefuls could mean the end of the road, while victory is the perfect springboard for the first significant vote next week when New Hampshire holds its primary.

But Mrs Bachmann, the darling of the Right-wing Tea Party movement, is refusing to throw in the towel yet and yesterday invoked the name of her hero Margaret Thatcher in the hope of securing votes.

"In this particular election, we can't take a chance," Mrs Bachmann told voters in West Des Moines.

"We can't settle. We need to have someone who's going to campaign and govern in the image and likeness of a Ronald Reagan and a Margaret Thatcher. And that's what I will do."

Since 1976 the Iowa caucus - essentially a town hall meeting with just 120,000 people voting - has become disproportionately important in the US election process.

The Republican battle continues until the summer when the party holds its convention in Tampa, Florida, to announce its candidate.

Mr Romney is favourite in Iowa, having topped the final polls before votes are cast. The millionaire former governor of Massachusetts is seen as the "most presidential" of all the candidates but has so far failed to capture the public's imagination.

The state also holds painful memories for Mr Romney, 64, who is making his second bid for the presidency. In 2008 he lost to John McCain who went on to win the Republican nomination.

Defeat will open the way for Mr Paul, the oldest candidate at 76, to build on the momentum of his campaign. Once considered an outside bet, the veteran Congressman has delighted many Americans with his plans to reduce the power of the federal government.

In the last round of canvassing Mr Santorum, the former senator for Pennsylvania, has been picking up strong support for his fiscal conservatism and hard line on Iran.

The 11-year war in Afghanistan, the economy, immigration and Mr Obama's overhaul of the health system are the main battlegrounds.

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