My prediction: Romney, Paul, Santorum

The prestigious Des Moines Register Iowa Poll came out with its final read on the caucus Sunday. Like most of late, it shows Mitt Romney with a narrow lead over Ron Paul, with Rick Santorum the only other real competitor.

If that holds up- and I think it will, with Romney, Paul, and Santorum finishing in that order- it means that this year there will be only two "tickets" out of Iowa, and that they will go to Romney and Santorum.

The Register poll gives Romney 24% to 22% for Paul, 15% for Santorum, 12% for Gingrich, 11% for Perry, 7% for Bachmann, and 2% for Huntsman. While the individual numbers vary- the latest PPP poll actually has Paul up by one point over Romney- the general margins seem pretty consistent.

But the race is volitile. Anything could happen. My own preferred result would be Romney winning, Santorum finishing second, and Paul as far down the road as possible.

The higher Paul finishes, of course, the sillier Iowa will look.