ABC reporter Cecilia Vega said Monday night's Iowa caucus result was a socialist from Vermont, Bernie Sanders, "putting a serious dent in the Clinton armor," echoing analysis that Hillary Clinton's virtual tie with him was a disappointment for the long-declared Democratic frontrunner.
Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos called it a "virtual draw" between the two in the first votes of the 2016 campaign. She won less than half-a-percent more in the caucus, and the Iowa Democratic party did not declare her the winner until early Tuesday morning.
"The big question right now, though: If Hillary Clinton is the winner in Iowa, just how big of a win is it really?" Vega asked. "A Democratic socialist from Vermont putting a serious dent in the Clinton armor."
Vega noted that Clinton's so-called "victory" speech lacked the word "victory." In fact, Clinton surprised some onlookers by taking the stage before the results were final, where she said she was "breathing a big sigh of relief" at the results. Sanders, meanwhile, addressed a jubilant crowd to proclaim the race an essential tie, and he heads into New Hampshire leading Clinton by double digits.
He walked in pumping his fist as his fans cheered.
"What Iowa has begun tonight is a political revolution," Sanders said.
Vega called Sanders confident with New Hampshire coming up next week. He told reporters his campaign had showed America on Monday night that it could win.
On the Republican side, meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) won Iowa with 28 percent of the vote, with Donald Trump finishing in second at 24 percent and Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) in third at 23.