Aide says Iowa caucus ruling hurt Santorum's fundraising

An Iowa adviser to Republican Rick Santorum's presidential campaign says the weeks between the January Iowa caucuses and certifying Santorum as winner cost the candidate crucial fundraising.

Jamie Johnson was the lone member of a panel established to review the historically close January caucuses to propose changes.

At a meeting Thursday, Johnson noted that former state GOP Chairman Matt Strawn's decision to name Mitt Romney the winner by eight votes on caucus night had hurt Santorum's fundraising. Santorum was named the winner by 34 votes more than two weeks later.

Calling the problem a "hiccup," Johnson proposed the chairman shouldn't announce a winner if the preliminary winning margin is less than 1 percent.

Strawn resigned as chairman Jan. 31.

Panelists say they will discuss Johnson's proposal at a later meeting.