From Reuters:
PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Jan 4 (Reuters) - Trounced by a long-shot candidate in Iowa, Republican Mitt Romney put on a brave face on Friday in New Hampshire for the next test of his well-funded White House bid, and said he was ready for a long battle.
Romney looked past his stunning 8-point loss to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and even beyond Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary and emphasized that the campaign for the Republican nomination in November’s presidential election was a “50 state effort.”
“Getting a first place finish in Iowa is not necessary to become the nominee,” the former Massachusetts governor said after munching on pancakes with voters at the Golden Egg Diner in the southern New Hampshire city of Portsmouth.
Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, rallied support from evangelical Christians to easily beat Romney despite being vastly outspent by the former Massachusetts governor and venture capitalist who would be the first Mormon president.