Video: Decision day arrives in Iowa

>> in a moment.

>>> peter alexander is in des moines with the latest. peter, good morning to you.

>> reporter: matt good morning to you and ann. welcome back. happy new year to you. consider these statistics, 354 days of campaigning, more than 900 events between the candidates and more than $16 million in advertising spent in the state of iowa alone. it is finally decision day and iowa voters have been wooed by the candidates up until the last minute. rick santorum is feeling energized about his late surge.

>> very encouraged by that and i think we have the momentum here.

>> reporter: the former pennsylvania senator was greeted by a standing room only crowd inside this coffee house monday. among those in attendance, reality tv stars the duggar family , 12 of their 19 children in tow there to endorse the social conservaticonservative. later in a highly emotional moment he spoke about the family's decision to take their son, baby gabriel home, hours after having died prematurely. after fox commentator alan holmes called it crazy.

>> i'm saying i think it shows a certain unusual attitude taking a two-hour baby home to die.

>> you playing that issue --

>> he's coming home so our children get -- and to some who don't recognize the dignity of your life, recognizing the humanity of your son is somehow weird, somehow odd, and should be subject to ridicule.

>> meanwhile, mitt romney told an chuck crowd of?i about 500 supporters he's expecting a good night as well.

>> we're going to win this thing with all of our passion and strength and do everything we can to get this campaign on the right track to go across the nation.

>> reporter: facing plummeting support, newt gingrich lowered expectations.

>> i don't think i'm going to win. i think if you look at the numbers i think that volume of negativity has done enough damage.

>> thank you, sir, you bet.

>> reporter: and rick perry is struggling to break from the conservative pack, comparing the election year to a marathon.

>> at mile 21 you kind of start hitting that wall a little bit and we'll see who is still running at mile 21.

>> reporter: michele bachmann is counting an divine intervention .

>> i believe in a miracle on tuesday night.

>> reporter: ron paul along son rand paul made his final push.

>> we may well send a message heard not just throughout iowa, but throughout this country, and believe it or not, it could be heard throughout the world.

>> reporter: that fox news commentator alan combes late ear poll gilesed for a hurtful comment and santorum accepted the apology. today's weather is expected to hit a high of roughly 38 degrees here in des moines .

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/45855053/

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