Romney, Disappointed in Iowa, Says He Will Forge Ahead

Despite a disappointing - and, to some, surprising - loss in the Iowa caucus, Mitt Romney's supporters remained cautiously optimistic. The former Massachusetts governor failed to rally as much support as Mike Huckabee, taking only 26 percent of caucus votes compared to Huckabee's 34. The second-place performance left many political analysts uncertain about Romney's ability to remain in the race for the Republican nomination.

But even once multiple media outlets projected Huckabee the winner early in the evening, many Romney supporters still believed he had a chance in the state.

Donna Gaston and her husband Gene, residents of Union City, Tenn., drove a charter bus filled with 25 young volunteers from St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri after being asked to do so by the Romney campaign.

She said Thursday night - while caucus results that though Romney was behind in the polls, and ultimately did not win the state, he is not out of the race for the Republican nomination.

"I think that a lot of things will change depending on who is classified as winner," she said. "But I'm still optimistic."

Romney's campaign officials share the optimism of supporters, said Romney for America spokesman Kevin Madden. He said that he did not believe that a victory in New Hampshire could be ruled out.

"Gov. Romney represents the best candidate to continue past just Iowa if you look at the way a lot of the candidates are positioned," he said.

Madden said that Romney had the ability to appeal to Republicans in key states including New Hampshire, South Carolina and Michigan because he has a broader appeal than candidates – like Huckabee – who appeal to one section of the party.

As Romney spoke to his supporters from the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa he focused on the fact that he began as an "unknown governor from the bluest state in America" who defeated "three of the biggest household names."

Romney said that he plans to return to Iowa for the general election to campaign as the Republican nominee for president.

"We need new faces in Washington, and I intend to be one of them," he said.