Iowa gives first hint at how reliable Trump polling is

Less than a single percentage point separates him and Hillary Clinton, meaning that, as he noted, “We’ll have about half of the Iowa delegates”.

And leading up to the caucuses, trusted pollsters had Trump ahead in Iowa with 28 percent, with Cruz in 2nd with 23 percent.

Cruz managed to gain the support of the state’s large evangelical community and conservative voters with his right wing tea party credentials.

By casting Trump and Cruz as the overwhelming front-runners in recent weeks, Rubio’s strong third place finish exceeded expectations and recent polls alike – which made it feel like a victory of sorts.

“Tonight, is a victory for the grassroots”, the archconservative senator from Texas told supporters after the vote.

Iowa has an unusual election system based on caucuses, which involve people gathering at private homes, schools and other public buildings across the state.

Rubio’s setting his sights on New Hampshire and, eventually, the White House.

Republican presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz of Texas speaks during a caucus night rally, in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016.

“Tonight is a victory for courageous conservatives”, he declared, to great applause, as he railed against Washington, lobbyists and the media.

In his first reaction after coming second in Iowa, Trump said, “We finished second”.

He also insisted he would go on to win – and beat the Democrat nominee.

Trump congratulated Cruz but said he still expects to win the Republican nomination for the November 8 presidential election.

Sure, it’s felt that way for a while, but Monday night marked the end of former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley’s long-shot quest for the Democratic nomination, despite his eleventh-hour plea to supporters to “hold strong” at caucus meetings.

According to Fox News, Marco Rubio is “the big victor”, but that’s nonsense.

In his speech, Sanders channeled the populist message that has carried his campaign, noting that nine months ago, staffers and volunteers came to Iowa with a mission to taking on “the most powerful political organization in the country”.

“As I stand here tonight breathing a big sigh of relief”, Clinton told the crowd.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Pennsylvania Sen.

“We knew Bernie Sanders would be close to her”, said Gilmara Mitchell (40), leader of one of Iowa’s voting precincts. They said “don’t do it”.

Trump delivered a short but gracious speech, saying he loved Iowa and vowed to go on next week to win the New Hampshire primary. Clinton said she was “excited” to continue to debate with Sanders, which definitely doesn’t help her build an image as an honest person.

“This is the moment they said would never happen”, Rubio told supporters Monday evening.

Sanders acknowledged the tie, but still touted his come-from-behind campaign.