It's not quite a game-changer, but last night's caucus results remind us, and particularly Mitt Romney, that he doesn't have the credits needed to graduate just yet.

Rick Santorum has now won more states than Romney, long described as the front-runner. Romney still has more delegates and thus a claim to the leader title. But it means there are a much higher likelihood this race will continue for weeks, perhaps all the way to the convention, as Newt Gingrich keeps promising.

What does it mean? Romney's large operation will start targeting Santorum with those attack ads, likely with the line he was in Washington for 16 years and so is tanked by its broken status.

Santorum ran the early part of his campaign on financial fumes. He was using a supporter's pickup truck to get around Iowa, while others had glossy buses. Newt Gingrich relies on a wealthy casino owner to stay in the race.

Romney though has both a national operator and a full treasure chest. Despite last night's results, and the clear disdain many Conservatives have for him, he remains in the best position to win.