DIXVILLE NOTCH, N.H. (Bennington Vale Evening Transcript) -- Just below the Canadian border in northern New Hampshire sits the tiny but storied Dixville Notch. The registered voters in this unincorporated hamlet -- nine this year -- famously cast the initial ballots in the nation's first presidential primary. In fact, during every election since 1968, the candidate with the most thumbs up in Dixville Notch has gone on to become the Republican nominee for president. Romney and Huntsman tied with two votes apiece. In second place were Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul. President Barack Obama received three votes. Surprisingly, however, Santorum was nowhere to be found in Dixville.

Santorum said Monday that being called number two would be a "dream come true." His rivals said that he "would always be number two" in their books. As of Tuesday, Santorum had been surpassed by Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsmen -- the top three candidates based on the New Hampshire votes.

The largely libertarian people of Dixville Notch said they intended to send a clear message that "we don't want a trace of Santorum sullying our Notch. Dix might not be the biggest in the land, but we're careful about what we stuff in that [ballet] box. Last thing anyone here wants to see is something as detestable as Santorum surging out of Dix Notch and getting on the presidential seat."

(c) 2011. See disclaimers.