Posted on 02/07/2012 8:12:03 PM PST by SeekAndFind
DENVER — Rick Santorum had a breakthrough night on Tuesday by winning the Missouri primary and the Minnesota caucuses, breathing life into his struggling campaign and slowing Mitt Romney’s march to the Republican presidential nomination.
Early returns had Santorum running two-to-one over Romney in Missouri, and the Associated Press projected he would win the state’s “beauty contest” primary, which awards no delegates but provides fresh momentum to the former Pennsylvania senator’s campaign.
Romney was hoping to extend his winning streak as he tried to strengthen his claim to the mantle of the presumptive nominee, but he was bracing for a loss in one or more states as Santorum made an aggressive run in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri.
Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.), who has yet to secure a win in the 2012 sweepstakes, mobilized his loyal support networks in the three states, banking on low turnout in the non-binding contests to give him a win.
Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich did not compete in Missouri, which was holding a “beauty contest” primary that awarded no delegates. The former House speaker looked past Tuesday’s contests and instead campaigned in Ohio, one of several delegate-rich states voting March 6 on “Super Tuesday,” when he hopes to jump-start his struggling candidacy.
The Colorado and Minnesota caucuses are not binding and would not award convention delegates, but at stake Tuesday night was the prestige of winning.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I think this is pretty awesome
Is Mitts beeber stuned?
Colorado: Santorum 42, Romney 30, Gingrich 15, Paul 12 (30% counted)
If Santorum won Colorado, I mean East Utah, it was hugh and series
OK, so perhaps Santorum and Newt should join forces. Make one or the other VP. Anything to stop Romney.
Willard gives me the Willies!
Results posted as they come in:
Missouri: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2012/missouri-primary-feb-7 (looks like Santorum is going carry every county in this state)
Minnesota: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2012/minnesota-caucuses-feb-7
Colorado: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2012/colorado-caucuses-feb-7
None of these states are awarding delegates yet I think
Big, actually very big winner tonight...Rick Santorum.
Losers tonight...Romney & Gingrich.
Paul....that is a story all by itself. He is immaterial.
“Santorum, of the conservatives remaining, is the one with the least baggage in terms of abandoning conservatism at times over his career” - Rush Limbaugh, 02/07/2012
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/02/07/santorum_is_sneaking_up
Oh kooky... The newb thinks Santorum is a RINO.
Yeesh... Compared to whom? Romney? Gingrich?
Santorum may be the only -real- conservative in the race.
Newt, now Santorum, teaming up to prevent Romney from getting the votes he needs to win the nomination.
And, just what do you think Newt is? Since he resigned from Congress, he supported the global warming scam, cap and trade, Medicare D, individual mandates, TARP, Dede Scuzzafava, etc., etc., etc. He talked about how the era of Reagan was over and called himself “Wilsonian” and a “progressive” - his words, not mine.
Name ONE conservative principle Newt aggressively supported between the time he resigned from Congress and the time he started thinking about running for President.
Please add me to the Santorum for President list.
Thank you!
“Romney just browned his pants.”
Suffice it to say, Mitt just realized that his perceived inevitability, is just that-perceived!
Mr. Santorum, great job pitting Mitt in check!
Colorado: Santorum 43, Romney 29, Gingrich 15, Paul 12 (33% counted)
LOL Yeah right. No one in the country ever talked that BS until five minutes ago when Rick showed he was a real contender.
Colorado is one of the biggest Mormon States in the Union. If Romney loses there, even FOX News said, he is going to have a “problem”.
I thought Romney was expected to win Colorado running away with it and the real battle was for second place? If Santorum pulls this off it would be a major upset.
I’m still very cautious as there are probably some very populous areas out where Romney might do well enough to overtake the lead, but with 37% of the precincts reporting and Santorum still well in command and them not being able to call it is a huge showing for him on top of the landslide wins in MO and MN.
COLORADO AT 37% in ( as per FOX NEWS )
Santorum 42%
Romney 29%
Gingrich 16%
Paul 13%
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.