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Illinois primary a must win for Santorum, it is time to do or die
WashTimes ^ | 3-20-12 | picht

Posted on 03/20/2012 11:59:18 AM PDT by VinL

Newt Gingrich had to win Mississippi and Alabama in order to remain a viable candidate. Those states weren't essential because of their delegate counts or their importance to the national election, but because Gingrich had won nothing outside the South and staked everything on a southern strategy.

He lost. He remains in the campaign, but he's a ghost, a bitter aftertaste, and a thorn in Rick Santorum's side.

Santorum now faces his own "must win" primary, Illinois. He's won more states than Gingrich, but his strength so far has been in the Midwest and South, and in neither region has he been able to dominate. Romney has picked up a share of delegates everywhere, managing in some cases to deny Santorum more than a tiny delegate advantage when Santorum has beat him in the popular vote. Even where Santorum wins, he doesn't manage to close Romney's lead. (long snip to conclusion)

Of course, there's a chance that Santorum could prevail in Illinois. If that happens, the state won't be pivotal in the nomination race. It's pivotal only if it goes strongly to Romney. Otherwise, it's just one more in a long and tedious series of primaries and caucuses.

Close campaigns are often more interesting, but in this case, the less close it is, the more interesting it will be.

(Excerpt) Read more at communities.washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: algoreofmorality; antisantorumgays; bishopvspope; bitteraftertaste; emptyvest; gayfreepers; gayfreepershaterick; ghost; gingrich; homosexualfreepers; il2012; illinois; libertinesfornewt; loosemoralfreepers; mustwin; newt4romney; newtsplitsvote; nomessage; richestvsholiest; rickwasusedbygope; rickwasusedbymitt; santorum; santorum4gope; santorum4romney; santorumvsteaparty
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"Of course, there's a chance that Santorum could prevail in Illinois. If that happens, the state won't be pivotal in the nomination race. It's pivotal only if it goes strongly to Romney. Otherwise, it's just one more in a long and tedious series of primaries and caucuses."

****************

Don't you just love the Wash Times' policy: when Romney wins, it's an unassailable and insurmountable victory; and when he loses, it's a "do-over".

1 posted on 03/20/2012 11:59:31 AM PDT by VinL
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To: VinL
Santorum now faces his own "must win" primary, Illinois.

Since when did this become the meme? This seems to be a fabrication of the MSM today.

2 posted on 03/20/2012 12:07:18 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: VinL

Romney has to be unhappy. He still has no message, and this pesky sweater vest guy is bankrupting him to boot.


3 posted on 03/20/2012 12:08:16 PM PDT by throwback ( The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.)
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To: VinL

“Of course, there’s a chance that Santorum could prevail in Illinois. If that happens, the state won’t be pivotal in the nomination race.”

Their analysis is correct in this sense Vin. If Santorum’s goal is to win the nomination outright, a win in Illinois is inconsequential because he can’t win the nomination outright. If on the other hand Romney were to win Illinois, it may prove pivotal because Romney would be seen as unstoppable (looking through the lens of “it’s either Santorum or Romney” which I reject).


4 posted on 03/20/2012 12:08:49 PM PDT by trappedincanuckistan (livefreeordietryin)
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To: VinL

Since it is march madness, I will use a basketball analogy.

When it is the beginning of the 2nd half and you are down by 20 points, you need to start making baskets. If you are up by 20, you need to make baskets to finish the guy off but if you don’t, you can still can win by having a dog fight at the end.


5 posted on 03/20/2012 12:08:53 PM PDT by staytrue
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To: VinL

Since it is march madness, I will use a basketball analogy.

When it is the beginning of the 2nd half and you are down by 20 points, you need to start making baskets. If you are up by 20, you need to make baskets to finish the guy off but if you don’t, you can still can win by having a dog fight at the end.


6 posted on 03/20/2012 12:09:06 PM PDT by staytrue
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To: VinL

Of course, there’s a chance that Santorum could prevail in Illinois. If that happens, the state won’t be pivotal in the nomination race. It’s pivotal only if it goes strongly to Romney. Otherwise, it’s just one more in a long and tedious series of primaries and caucuses.

Good God they aren’t even faking their hope for Romney. If Santorum wins, doesn’t matter.....if Santorum loses, worst thing on Earth. So disgusting.


7 posted on 03/20/2012 12:09:28 PM PDT by napscoordinator (A moral principled Christian with character is the frontrunner! Congrats Santorum!)
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To: Lazlo in PA

Why is it a must win. Y’all know there is no such thing.

I guess I should know that a must win for someone else is an omen that Romney is going to win the state by hook or crook. Literally.


8 posted on 03/20/2012 12:10:44 PM PDT by dforest
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To: VinL

I have some family in Illinois and according the them (yea, it’s antidote) that it does not look good for not-Romney anybody.
They also beleive that BHO will win there in a landslide.


9 posted on 03/20/2012 12:16:36 PM PDT by svcw (CLEAN WATER & Education http://www.longlostsis.com/PI/MayanHelp2012.html)
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To: VinL

Neither one of ‘em, Rick or Newt, can get it done.

Things are what they are.

Santorum was never the pick in my book and that hasn’t changed.

Newt, play out your strategy for whatever it’s worth, and I’m glad you’re still out there. You are personally a lightning rod and an effective thinker and communicator.

Give the E what for.

Your the one they absolutely had to stop.

Make them pay.

Get what you can out of it, for America, and for every day Americans like us.

That said, I hope Sarah Palin becomes much more involved.

(This story didn’t fool me...Newt suffers worse in it than does anyone else, but it’s supposedly about Romney and Santorum. Got their number.)


10 posted on 03/20/2012 12:17:22 PM PDT by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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To: dforest

There is a kernel of truth here, there usually is even with the main line press. Rick really can not afford to get further behind. If he loses here, then it becomes really difficult to see hime get the delegates he needs. It is already and up hill battle. And even if Rick can force a contested convention, he has little or no chance of getting the nomination. He could maybe force his way onto the ticket as V.P. That would be the worse case senerio for those of us who want to win in November. Rick is an incredibly weak general election candidate, but would be much worse as V.P. candidate. It is doubtful that he would be able to deliver even his home state. Rick is at best a second tier candidate with some upside. He will not be President, and that most likely is a good thing.

Yes, full disclosure, I am a Newt supporter. I do not enjoy saying these things about Rick Santorum, and I will support and vote for him if I have to. I pray I don’t have to. I pray everyday.

Go Newt.


11 posted on 03/20/2012 12:19:36 PM PDT by dt57 (illerate, noobie....)
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To: VinL

Relying on the state of ILL-and-Annoy to come through in the clutch for true conservatives is a rusty pipe dream. Its gonna be the Myth who wins it there. Hope I’m wrong....


12 posted on 03/20/2012 12:21:33 PM PDT by tflabo (Truth or tyranny)
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To: txrangerette

“Our national GOP poll, out tomorrow, finds Republicans like Sarah Palin more than any of their actual candidates”

https://twitter.com/#!/ppppolls/status/182175853810171904


13 posted on 03/20/2012 12:25:47 PM PDT by Josh Painter ("We intend to change Washington, not accomodate it." - Newt Gingrich)
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To: VinL

Romney wins where GOP loses and loses where GOP wins. Illinois is a blue state with the Chicago machine controlling the votes.

We already know how the votes will be counted.


14 posted on 03/20/2012 12:28:23 PM PDT by Mechanicos (Why does the DOE have a SWAT Team?)
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To: napscoordinator

That was my point in posting. In truth, if Rick wins tonight, it would be a huge loss for Romney.

The only reason the Times gets away with publishing this garbage is that, at present, the polls aren’t favorable for Rick. It’s a free shot.


15 posted on 03/20/2012 12:31:17 PM PDT by VinL (It is better to suffer every wrong, than to consent to wrong.)
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To: dt57

Actually, I think Rick has developed far better than expected. The voters like him and he doesn’t carry negatives of 60% unfavorability with the voters.

I doubt Rick or Newt will beat Romney. That is a shame because I believe Romney to be the weakest candidate on our side. He can make no legit argument against Obamacare at all. He is just who the dems want in their crosshairs.

I guess Rick can do what Newt is doing even if he loses Illinois, just sit back and go where he wants to go. I think he will carry on awhile after Illinois anyway.

If this should go to a brokered convention, neither Rick or Newt will win there. It is just an inconveniece for the GOP-e. They will find a way to work that one out before it happens.


16 posted on 03/20/2012 12:32:10 PM PDT by dforest
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To: trappedincanuckistan

Difference is Trapped, that you are giving your objective analysis— on the other hand, these creeps are trying to create a narrative.


17 posted on 03/20/2012 12:33:51 PM PDT by VinL (It is better to suffer every wrong, than to consent to wrong.)
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To: svcw
Heard some positive updates from a Freeper who actually LIVES in Illinois and he says the opposite...
..it does not look good for Romney.

I like his version.

18 posted on 03/20/2012 12:36:15 PM PDT by Guenevere (....Whom God calls,... He equips......Press On Santorum!)
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To: Guenevere

Me too. Now remember these are family, and we all know how they can be.


19 posted on 03/20/2012 12:37:37 PM PDT by svcw (CLEAN WATER & Education http://www.longlostsis.com/PI/MayanHelp2012.html)
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To: dt57
And I pray morning and night that Rick Santorum.... a strong contender....will get that nomination!!.....

..there is nothing weak about him....

..it's just your opinion that's weak.

20 posted on 03/20/2012 12:39:01 PM PDT by Guenevere (....Whom God calls,... He equips......Press On Santorum!)
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