Can't win even when you win, unless you are the chosen one

News reports this morning say that the Iowa caucus is now a tie, even though Santorum has 34 more votes in latest recount.

How is it that when Romney is ahead by 8 he "wins", but when he is behind by 34 it is a "tie".

Why not actually count the votes as accurately as possible and determine the winner.

I guess the outcome has been decided regardless of the vote count.