It’s not going to happen. You still don’t understand the nature of Santorum’s supporters.
Sure, Rick picked up some support from Newt and some of that could move back (I expect Gingrich to get near 20%, in the tracking poll but not much over that).
What you don’t understand though is that a large chunk of Santorum supporters are prior Bachmann, Cain, Perry folks that viewed Rick as the last acceptable choice. Many of these people don’t view Newt as a viable conservative alternative to Romney because Newt lacks Trust and likeability. Outside of the South, I see no place where Newt would have success in a 1 on 1 against Romney.
Additionally, what little support Santorum has among Seniors, Hispanics, and females, those 3 groups (outside of the Southern States) will almost all go to Romney if Santorum loses them.
The Southern states are anything but inconsequential. Certainly Romney can’t win the nomination outright without performing well in the Southern states. You say it’s possible support will come back to Newt...well there’s a LOT of support that used to be there that certainly could come back then. Your argument that there are too many people who he was never acceptable to doesn’t wash considering how high he’s been in the polls before.
I’m for both Rick and Newt staying in through the end of March at least. People need to realize that there is now almost certainly NO possible way either Newt or Rick wins the nomination without them both being on the same Pres./V.P. ticket. So the supporters of one better start warming up to the other.
I have faith that the truth will come out. Newt is as trustworthy a politician as you’ll ever find. Out of all the smears, I haven’t seen any evidence yet that he ever broke a campaign promise. Everything promised in the Contract with America was voted on.
As for likability, I like Rick but I love Newt. You may be right that I simply cannot understand why anyone who wants to see conservative policy drive our government would not love a guy like Newt who fought hard against the establishment to push the Republican party and the country to the right for 2 decades in public office.