Busy day in GOP field

Developments even before Thursday’s debate:

• Rick Santorum was declared the official winner of the Iowa caucuses, topping previously announced winner Mitt Romney by 34 votes.

• Texas Gov. Rick Perry withdrew from the race and endorsed Newt Gingrich, calling him “a conservative visionary who can transform our country.” Perry hasn’t ruled out running for governor again or for the White House in 2016, if Barack Obama is re-elected.

• One of Gingrich’s two ex-wives, Marianne Gingrich, came forward with revelations that he once sought an open marriage so he could keep a mistress.