As we watched the Iowa returns just four weeks ago, we waited until past midnight to learn the winner, only to learn a few weeks later that the man who was declared the winner by a margin of fewer than 10 votes actually lost the state by a margin of fewer than 40.
Tonight, the only thing we’re waiting to see is whether Mitt manages to muster a majority.
This is a big victory for Mitt. He wins his first contest in a state where only Republicans were able to vote. And his margin over his closest competitor exceeds Newt’s margin over him in South Carolina (12.6 points) and may well exceed his own margin over Ron Paul in New Hampshire (16.4 points).
That said, he still needs to reach out to his opponents’ supporters. He would be wise tonight to invite Newt to sit down with him to talk sometime in the next month.
UPDATE: GOProud Congratulates Governor Mitt Romney on Big Win in Florida Primary
UP-UPDATE: Gay GOP Cheers Romney Win In Florida
UP-UPDATE: Doesn’t look like he’ll get a majority. Glad I didn’t bet on this race as I would have projected Romney to get 42%, Newt to get 30% and Santorum and Ron Paul to tie at 12. Seems I may only be right about Santorum.
Given his behavior over the past month or so, I suspect Newt would turn down any such invitation to talk, however beneficial it may be for the party’s prospects in November.