Mitt Romney, shown with his wife, Ann, says he would back any Republican nominee challenging President Obama - including Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Fellow Republican challenger Newt Gingrich said he felt he could not support Mr. Paul. Mrs. Romney confirmed reports that she was the one who had to talk her husband into running for president again. (Associated Press)
HAPPY CAMPER: GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul gets a kick out of hearing compliments for being punctual at a town hall Wednesday in Newton, Iowa. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul delivers a speech to employees of GuideOne Insurance at their offices, West Des Moines, IA, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul arrives at GuideOne Insurance to deliver a speech to employees at their offices, West Des Moines, IA, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
8 year old Mike Baker of Newton, Iowa listens as Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul delivers a speech at a Jasper County town hall meeting held at the inner track of the Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
Buttons are for sale outside a Jasper County town hall meeting held at the inner track of the Iowa Speedway where Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is set to speak to supporters, Newton, IA, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
David Richardson of Newton, Iowa, left, and Quaitemes Williams, right, of Dallas, Texas, claps as Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul delivers a speech at a Jasper County town hall meeting. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul takes questions from members of the audience after delivering a speech in Newton, IA, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
A supporter who appears to have a tattoo in support of Ron Paul listens to Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul delivers a speech. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul waits in a side room at GuideOne Insurance before delivering a speech to employees at their offices, West Des Moines, IA, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
Left to right: Alison Gibbs with the campaign and volunteers Devon Slovensky of Charlottesville, VA and Heather Danielowski of Quad City, Illinois set up yard signs for supporters before Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul delivers a speech at a Jasper County town hall meeting. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul departs after delivering a speech at a Jasper County town hall meeting. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul laughs as he is complimented on being punctual in his arrival to speak to supporters at a Jasper County town hall meeting held at the inner track of the Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. (Andrew Harnik / The Washington Times)
A campaign sign for Republican presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, sits in front of a home, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Ankeny, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Republican presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (center) speaks Dec. 15, 2011, as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (left) and Texas Rep. Ron Paul listen during a Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa. (Associated Press)