Posted on 02/07/2012 10:36:59 PM PST by Steelfish
Santorum Delivers a GOP Stunner Former Senator Wins in Minnesota, Missouri; Romney Campaign Plays Down Nonbinding Contests
By NEIL KING JR. And DANNY YADRON
DENVER—Rick Santorum jolted the Republican presidential race Tuesday by winning nominating contests in Missouri and Minnesota, puncturing Mitt Romney's claim to be the unstoppable front-runner.
Mr. Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, was running neck and neck with Mr. Romney in preliminary returns from Colorado, a state Mr. Romney won by a wide margin in 2008.
With about 70% of the Colorado vote counted, Mr. Santorum had 38%, to 36% for Mr. Romney. Four years ago, Mr. Romney carried Colorado with 60% of the vote.
Mr. Santorum's twin victories in the Midwest will give his campaign a much-needed burst of momentum and may stir doubt about Mr. Romney's abilities to woo conservatives to his side in important electoral states such as Missouri. So far, Mr. Romney has won in states where he has devoted significant campaign time and advertising dollars.
Mr. Santorum won 55% of the Missouri vote, while Mr. Romney followed with 25%. Texas Rep. Ron Paul was trailing with 12%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wasn't on the Missouri ballot.
Mr. Santorum's Missouri victory margin of almost 75,000 votes over Mr. Romney was nearly 29,000 more than Mr. Romney's combined Iowa and Nevada total.
While the Tuesday results didn't directly award any of the delegates needed to claim the GOP nomination, they showed voters rejecting Mr. Romney even in states where he had performed well four years ago.
Mr. Romney had carried Minnesota in 2008 but placed third there on Tuesday. With 85% of precincts in, Mr. Santorum had 45% of the vote, while Mr. Paul had 27%. Mr. Romney had 17% of the vote and Mr. Gingrich claimed 11%.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
He is NOT a solid fiscal, small-government conservative.
Yes, he is socially conservative and would like to do away with contraceptives.
He is one of those compasionate conservatives. Remember George Bush?
Congrats to Rick Santorum for a HUGE (I’m series) night against the enemy, SnippyMcMittCare!
And which of the three was the only one elected in a BLUE state? A 84% ACU and reelected too.
59 posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2012 2:52:39 AM by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
....
....
And Newt accomplished enormous and stunning legislative conservative victories with a Dem President and senate. Still maintained his conservative and ACU values.
Yes, it is a grave concern for the future of our nation.
Still, I believe as many of us do that "reality" is winding up for a b@tchslap of epic proportions regarding the economy and national security that will hit any time in the next 9 months.
And no matter what the regime does, they won't be able to contain the reality that impacts each and every American citizen.
Gas prices, food prices, the lack of jobs and prosperity is a specter that haunts all Americans and cannot be concealed. Iran is preparing for a "first strike" against us and Israel, and beyond a scraped knee, obozo is way out of his league.
Obozo should take a moment and look around the occupied office. He'll be unemplioiyed this time next year and the cleaning crew will still be working on removing the commie stench.
Mitt only wins lib states.
In Colorado, there was a grand total of one poll in the last two months by one organization, PPP.
I sure like what I’ve heard from Santorum lately. For sure he would be a contrast against Obama, not just “Obama-lite”.
My sentiments exactly!
People forget that New York and California have Republican primaries with a crapload of delegates.
The South and "Flyover country" are outnumbered.
And who can newt or myth? LOL!!!!
But Newt wasn't, which makes your assertion moot. Can't win elections when you're not on the ballot.
And now, we will witness the circular firing squad aiming at yet another conservative.....
Waits for the “he’s not conservative enough” mantra.....
Let's hope you're right. If those liberal Catholics who voted for Obama would wake up, it will doom his reelection hopes. Obama's anti-Christian bent (not "anti-religious" as he has made numerous moves to promote Islam) is incredibly reckless and will bring about an authoritarian state unless decisively checked.
Can someone explain to me why Santorum didn’t get any delegates with these three wins? Will he get the delegates in the future? I’m at a loss to explain it. thanks.
Judging from Axelrod's backpedaling yesterday it seems clear that Obama realizes he overreached. Too late: it has exposed a breathtaking arrogance on his part and an alarming frontal attack on freedom of religion.
Lets see how he holds up to Mittens goon squads and their attack.
Caucuses seem to be definitely his strength.
Conservatives are naturally compassionate. It is part of what makes us who we are. We try to live by our values, many of which derive from our Christian beliefs. However, unlike Dubya, Santorum doesn't use the word "compassionate" as a qualifier. He also recognizes that true compassion frequently involves tough love.
Bush never understood conservatism, seeing it as hard line and somewhat extremist, and therefore tried to soften it. Bush spoke in euphemisms, for example coining the term "war on terror" not being willing to describe an existential enemy for what it was. Santorum simply calls it radical Islam.
Do your homework and understand the difference.
What an amazing primary!
Exactly. They aren't looking at his record - just listening to his lies about Newt to make himself appear as a better candidate. The media/barry know his record and his own supporters don't.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.