Before the candidates delivered their stump speeches and worked to differentiate themselves from other GOP candidates, Rep. Tom Latham rallied Republican supporters.

"We're one party when this is over with, with one nominee, and we'll support him and win," Latham said to cheers.

"Democrats didn't win last year. Republicans lost," he said. "We will be victorious next year."

Latham said America is winning the war in Iraq despite what Democrats say.

"To think if we're making progress that somehow be bad for any American. This has become so politicized. We are different, and we will be successful next year if we follow those principles," he said.

Latham introduced Laura Ingraham, emcee, calling the event, "Iowa's edition of American Idol."

She said she started day on Friday by going to Dutch Oven Bakery; and ended the day seeing Big Red, winner of biggest boar at Iowa State Fair.

In a video of what Iowa wants from next president, Republicans said they want a president who will protect the country, push strong family values and education.

After patriotic stylings of "God Bless America," Hilton Coliseum got prepped for Mitt Romney supporters were first, clad in yellow shirts, and waving red foam mitts, to a nearly-packed Hilton Coliseum.

Romney, all smiles, was first, with the loudest welcome, followed by Tom Tancredo, John Cox, Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Tommy Thompson and Sam Brownback. Confetti flies and the speeches and cheers start, "We want Mitt," supporters chant.

-- By Gwen Tietgen