You’re assuming that all the supporters of Newt or Santorum would go to the other, just as an Anyone But Romney vote. I don’t see that happening. Lots of Newt supports think he would be best against Obama, with Romney second. Lots of Santorum supporters don’t like Newt’s family values. It’s not as clear cut as you think it is.
I have been on this site for years as a pro-life, pro-family republican. I’m tired of the GOP “fixing” elections for who “they” think we should vote. The cheating and lying by the romney campaign, with the assistance of the gop, the media on the right, and unnamed powerful people, has shown me they are corrupt too, as is the democrats.
IF romney wins, I am hoping for a third party candidate. I would never have considered that before, but because of the tatics used to force romney on us, we better start considering who we will end up with in 2016. I have no doubt that romney will lose against obama. Any third grader could show the hypocrisy of who he really is. If we do as we are “told” and vote for their man; just when will we ever have a choice in who we want? They are stealing our vote, no different than when people vote for the dead. If we give them what they want they will know there schemes have worked and will continue to use them until we stop it. They did it with Mccain so it is a pattern.
The GOP have taken our right to vote and corrupted it. Why should I stay with a party who uses me? I won’t if romney wins.
Things that come to my mind that don’t seem to be considered here...
Newts said last night on Hannity that Arizona and Florida delegates will be challenged.
Unbound delegates, who are not bound by law, can switch who they vote for.
Santorum is not on the DC ballot.
Santorum has not filled out full delegate slates throughout the US.
There is about 8 winner take all states.
Florida should be proportional according to the rules after the state was penalized.
Bingo.
I support Newt, I really don't see as there is any other real alternative. On the general principle of stopping Mitt, I suppose I would have voted for Santorum over Romney if it had come down to that in my state's primary - but most other people I know (anecdotal evidence I realize) wouldn't have. While I agree Santorum is more conservative than Romney, I think Rick would lose in a crushing landslide in a general election. The man is too easily baited into talking about things like condoms and porn instead of economic issues - and any candidate, at least where I live, that believes we need a lecture on why contraception is "not okay" is simply out to lunch and doesn't stand a chance in a general election.
I am not at all convinced that if Newt or Rick drop out that all, or even a majority, of his vote would go to the other. Perhaps at first in a state or two, but then the election dynamics would change, all the negative campaigning and media scrutiny would focus on just that one non-Romney and Mitt may do much better in a 2 person race than people think.