Romney Denies Guaranteeing Victory in Iowa -- But Does the Video Evidence Agree?

Mitt Romney surprised some people when he seemingly gave a Joe Namath-like promise in Iowa on Sunday, saying he would win the Hawkeye State caucuses.  That seemed to be a bold move from a man who hasn't spent much time in the state until recently. But now, he's denying he said that. But does the video evidence support it?

Here's how the L.A. Times reported his statement:

"We're going to win this thing, with all of our passion and strength and do everything we can to get this campaign on the right track to go across the nation and to pick up other states and to get the ballots I need, the votes I need to become our nominee," he said at an asphalt plant here.

Fox even captured video of the remarks:

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program on Tuesday, however, Romney backtracked, and even denied making the claim:

"I don't think I quite said that," he said. When pressed by the hosts he responded, "No, no, no."

"If all goes well I hope I become the nominee and I take on the White House. At this stage I think it’s hard to predict exactly what’s going to happen,” he said. “I think I’ll be among the top group. I don’t know whether it’s one, two, or three.”

All in all, it seems like a curious thing to deny given the body of evidence. Or, if in his eyes he doesn't see it as an outright denial, it still seems to be a curious point to split hairs over.

The denial comes on the heels of Newt Gingrich calling Romney  a "liar" over the way Romney has presented his moderate political views.

(H/T: National Journal)