Romney achieves narrow victory in Ohio caucus, edges past Santorum

Washington, Mar 7(ANI): Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney achieved a narrow victory in the Ohio caucus, beating his rival Rick Santorum by 38-37 percent after winning in Vermont, Virginia, Idaho and his home state of Massachusetts.

Romney celebrated his earlier victories in a speech to supporters in Massachusetts before his win.

"I'm not gonna let you down. I'm gonna get this nomination. We're counting up the delegates for the convention, and it looks good and we're counting down the days until November, and that looks even better," Romney said.

Santorum secured second place after victories in Tennessee, North Dakota and Oklahoma that bolstered him as a viable alternative for the Republican presidential nomination.

The mixed outcomes guarantee the tough battle between Santorum and Romney for the 2012 White House race.

"We're going to win a couple gold medals and a whole [bunch] of silver medals," Santorum had declared to about 500 supporters in northeast Ohio.

He reminded the crowd that all of his wins came in states, where he was dramatically outspent.

Gingrich also vowed to press on after winning his home state, and continued to tear into the "establishment" forces he accused of trying to take him down, The New York Post reports.

"We basically put people power up against money power. It's one thing to have lots of money, it's another thing to lie with the money," he said, in a swipe at Romney. (ANI)