Iowa governor says Bachmann, Gingrich may have to drop out if they finish poorly

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) said Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann need to finish strongly in Iowa in order to move forward — and if they falter may be forced to drop out.

"With the exception of Perry they all have financial problems," he said on Fox News, in reference to the second-tier candidates.

Branstad said Rick Santorum will do well in the state's Jan. 3 caucuses, and described the field as "wide open."

"As I predicted all along, Rick Santorum, who has done this the old-fashioned way... is coming on strong," he said.

Branstad also said Ron Paul and Mitt Romney both had strong organizations in the state, and that "Governor Perry is going to do better than some people think."

Romney led the Des Moines Register poll released Saturday night, with Paul in second place and Santorum in third. When just looking at the last two days of the poll, Santorum moved up into second place, indicating the strong momentum he has in the state.

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