Covering the sprint to the Iowa Caucuses | #2012Unfiltered

The PostPolitics team used the iPhone app Instagram and the tag #2012Unfiltered to document the week leading up to the Iowa caucuses.

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"Aaah. Iowa," Amy Gardner tweeted from the Gingrich campaign bus.

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

Newt and Callista Gingrich pose on Jan. 2 in front of Big Bud, the world's largest tractor, in Independence, Iowa.

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

Amy Gardner tweeted: "Another rally, another town in Iowa."

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

The Newt Gingrich embeds on the press bus. The Washington Post's Amy Gardner is in the center.

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

Sen. John Thune speaks at a Mitt Romney campaign event in a Dubuque paper towel warehouse.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Philip Rucker posted on Jan. 2: "Hundreds await @MittRomney in Marion, part of Romney's Cedar Rapids area stronghold."

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

A supporter braves the harsh wind in Des Moines to hold up his sign reading, "A Ron Paul win will discredit the mainstream media."

Ned Martel / The Washington Post via Instagram

Dan Balz tweeted from a Ron Paul stop in Des Moines: "Bethany, age 9, is all for Ron Paul"

Dan Balz / The Washington Post via Instagram

The crowd for Mitt Romney in Davenport on the morning of Jan. 2 was smaller than at his events over the weekend.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Newt Gingrich is interviewed by Fox News from West Town Pub in Ames on Jan. 1 while his wife, Callista, watches.

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

Reporters get to know one another between campaign stops. Amy Gardner posted: "Politico's Ginger Gibson rocks her LSU self with Gingrich bus pals Trip Gabriel of the NYT and Jeff Mason from Reuters."

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

And a scene from the Romney media bus: "One of the boys on @MittRomney's bus, @garrettnbcnews, [Garrett Haake] reading 'Boys on the Bus.' #iowaclassic #2012unfiltered"

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

In 2016, Rucker says media can forget the Des Moines Marriott. "Press can stay at this Atlantic joint."

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Philip Rucker tweeted on Jan. 1: "The line to see @MittRomney in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Down stairs, thru lobby & out door."

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Rucker tweeted on Jan. 1: "At a crushed Iowa diner, @MittRomney escapes to the kitchen."

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

The media outnumbered voters before this event in Indianola, Iowa, as The Washington Post’s Dan Balz and Ned Martel covered Rick Santorum on Dec. 31.

Dan Balz / The Washington Post via Instagram

Martel posted: "This is how Santorum rolls. The Chuck truck."

Ned Martel / The Washington Post via Instagram

In Knoxville, Iowa, Santorum and his son "speed-date" with voters in a museum of race cars.

Ned Martel / The Washington Post via Instagram

The venue for the "speed dating" event was the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in Knoxville.

Ned Martel / The Washington Post via Instagram

Martel posted: "Museum-quality tee, where Santorum decried the Obama 'war on carbon.' "

Ned Martel / The Washington Post via Instagram

Historic race cars in the museum where Santorum spoke.

Santorum spoke before a large crowd in Pella on Dec. 31.

Ned Martel / The Washington Post via Instagram

Martel said other media highjacked a CBS interview with Santorum. "The producer's hand gesture says it all."

Ned Martel / The Washington Post via Instagram

Post staff member Dan Balz posted a Drummond Ayres quote on the Iowa sunset: "The road is what you make it."

Dan Balz / The Washington Post via Instagram

Post staff writer Philip Rucker covered a Mitt Romney event at the Blue Bunny ice cream capital in Le Mars. He said Romney "went for Rocky Road."

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Mitt Romney rings in the new year in Sioux City.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

A very tired Newt Gingrich makes a surprise swing through his Iowa headquarters on New Year's Eve.

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

The scene at Gingrich's headquarters earlier on New Year's Eve. "A sea of political industry," Post staff writer Amy Gardner posted.

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

On the wall at Gingrich's headquarters.

Amy Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

Rick Perry returns to Waterloo on Dec. 30, where he kicked off his presidential campaign in August.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Mitt Romney shakes hands at a campaign stop in Ames on Dec. 30.

Steven Ginsberg / The Washington Post via Instagram

A potential future Iowa caucusgoer dances on stage before a Mitt Romney event in Ames on Dec. 29.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Mitt Romney's top strategist, Stuart Stevens, takes advantage of a quiet spot at a Mason City stop.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Philip Rucker tweeted on Dec. 29: "I nominate @CBSJanCrawford for best boots on #iacaucus trail."

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

@PhilipRucker: "Awaiting @MittRomney in Mason City's Music Man Square, I wonder: is that a Rambler? Early model? #2012unfiltered"

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

On Dec. 29. 'Michele Bachmann defiant in the wake of Iowa state chair [Kent Sorenson's] defection to Ron Paul.'<br>
<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/kent-sorenson-bachmanns-iowa-chair-defects-to-paul/2011/12/28/gIQALSDPNP_blog.html'>Sorenson endorses Ron Paul.</a>

On Dec. 29. "Michele Bachmann defiant in the wake of Iowa state chair [Kent Sorenson's] defection to Ron Paul."
Sorenson endorses Ron Paul.

Dan Balz / The Washignton Post via Instagram

Dan Balz (@WPDan on Instagram) posted on Dec. 28: "Good advice at venue for Bachmann appearance in Indianola. #2012unfiltered"

Dan Balz / The Washignton Post via Instagram

Dan Balz captured Iowa State Sen. Kent Sorenson at his first Ron Paul event after he switched from chairing Michele Bachmann's Iowa game to endorsing Paul.

Dan Balz / The Washignton Post via Instagram

Amy E. Gardner watches as Newt Gingrich makes chocolates at the Chocolate Factory in Algona.

Amy E. Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

Newt and Callista Gingrich and a wall of tractors at the National Farm Toy Museum in Dyersville.

Amy E. Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

On Dec. 28 "@NewtGingrich is rocking another no-tie day at Southbridge Mall in Mason City, Iowa."

Amy E. Gardner / The Washington Post via Instagram

Ron Paul before a packed crowd at the Iowa Speedway.

Steven Ginsberg / The Washington Post via Instagram

Ron Paul at Iowa Speedway says "people are waking up" to his message.

Dan Balz / The Washington Post via Instagram

@PhilipRucker tweeted: "My view awaiting @MittRomney's avail in an Iowa donut shop. Mmmmm... #2012unfiltered"

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Newt Gingrich addresses a crowd in Dubuque on Dec. 27.

Steven Ginsberg / The Washington Post via Instagram

Chief correspondent Dan Balz, reporter Philip Rucker and editor Steven Ginsberg road-trip through Iowa on Dec. 27. Rucker posted: "This is my view for the next 3.5 hours. I feel safe with @wpdan behind wheel & @stevenginsberg riding shotgun. #2012unfiltered"

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Following his bird hunt in Adel on Dec. 27, Rick Santorum claims Iowa momentum.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Reporter @PhilipRucker in Iowa after Rick Santorum's bird hunt on Dec. 27.

Dan Balz / The Washington Post via Instagram

@PhilipRucker in Des Moines: Get ready for DSM Marriott's swanky new lobby.

Philip Rucker / The Washington Post via Instagram

Rucker: "Yep, this is pretty much the whole @MittRomney traveling press corps, Marriott elites. #2012unfiltered"

Philip Rucker / The Washignton Post via Instagram

Featured Photo Galleries

Novelist Toni Morrison laughs with U.S. President Barack Obama before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Toni Morrison; Barack Obama

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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

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Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

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Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

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Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

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