Ron Paul Counts Coup In Sioux City Debate Round

Ron Paul won the first Iowa debate round last week and following last night's debate in Sioux City, Iowa has won the second round this week. On Facebook he added more net new followers (14,401) than all other Republican candidates combined (13,949).

Candidate	Sun 12/11 Noon	Fri 12/16 Noon	Pickup
Ron Paul	621,225	635,626	14,401
Mitt Romney	1,213,468	1,220,643	7,175
Newt Gingrich	212,027	216,905	4,878
Rick Santorum	35,036	36,484	1,448
Rick Perry	175,399	176,829	1,430
Jon Huntsman	27,728	28,966	1,238
Michele Bachmann	459,050	460,043	993
Gary Johnson	145,181	145,446	265
Herman Cain	394,473	390,995	-3,478

That tap on Mitt Romney's shoulder is not the Republican Party picking him as its standard bearer. It's Ron Paul counting coup.

The fabled Newt Gingrich surge is over. He's down to third place in this round.

Michele Bachmann joins Rick Perry in the surprisingly still has a pulse category. Rick Santorum has moved up to fourth place, and he'll be happy to hold that spot on Iowa caucus night.