Posted on 03/05/2012 8:11:41 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --
Newt Gingrich has closed the gap in Tennessee and is poised to overtake those presumed to be the victors in the delegate rich state just days ago.
Real Clear Politics' tracking of the polling done across the weekend shows the We Ask America numbers putting the state in a statistical dead heat with Romney at 30%, Gingrich at 29% and Santorum at 29%. The margin of error is 3%. Likewise, PPP polling has Santorum at 34%, Romney at 29% and Gingrich at 27%
The significance is these polls were taken on March 3rd and 4th. Earlier polling, widely reported across the nation, from Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University just days earlier showed a different picture. MTSU's polling, released February 29 showed Santorum at 40%, Romney at 29% and Gingrich at 13%. Vanderbilt's data from polling done February 16-22 showed Santorum at 33%, Romney at 17% and Gingrich at 13%. Clearly, the largest surge is for Speaker Gingrich.
Andrew Ogles, Tennessee Victory Chair for Gingrich 2012 noted, "I was excited to see the results but not surprised. These numbers show what we've always known; support for Newt is deep and strong in Tennessee. When other campaigns dropped everything to rush surrogates and candidates to Tennessee at the last minute, I knew they were learning the same thing."
Reached by phone, Rep. Tony Shipley (R-Kingsport), Chair of the Newt 2012 campaign in Tennessee and traveling today with Gingrich in East Tennessee, responded, "This is not a real surprise to anyone who has been watching the campaigns here in Tennessee. Newt has strong support among Conservatives, Republicans and voters who realize the nation is headed in the wrong direction. Newt's concern for all Americans is seen in his attention to issues like gas prices and other every day concerns. Tennesseans know Newt supports them and they support him back."
He's an object of derision in the GOP now.
Not a friend of the Governor and/or Senator Alexander, huh?
A vote for Newt in Tennessee is a vote against Romney. Newt has committed delegates. A vote for Rick is a vote for Romney since Rick doesn’t have committed delegates. The Santorum supporters are on every thread calling Newt supporters Romney supporters. Desperation anyone?
Definitely tell them that a loss for Romney in a state like Virginia to as insignificant a character as Paul would make his donors, the party and a lot of voters doubt the inevitability of his candidacy. And the only thing anybody (except Mormons) believe he has going for him is electability. The more elections he loses, the more people are going to abandon him and go to other candidates.
It's likely the early voters, of which one story claims were fewer than in the past, broke for Santorum by wider margins than those who will vote on election day.
It will be interesting to see whether Santorum supporters here who attacked early Michigan voters for not waiting until election day because they put Romney over the top will feel the same way about when ballots were cast in Tennessee if Santorum loses among election day voters.
That is the standard fare of the Snatorum supporter. If you don't support Santorum you're a godless baby-killing communist that supports Romney.
Didn't anyone tell you yet?
If you are in VA, you need to vote for Ron Paul as a protest vote against Romney.
Is there a part of the Bible I missed that teaches people that it’s moral to be a snide SOB?
They have to realize they’re not winning anyone over with personally attacking Newt supporters. Don’t they?
So how do you know which ones you should vote for? They do the same thing in Pennsylvania but for ALL of our delegates.
A Social Conservative is not necessary to win the general election. However a Social Conservative MAY be necessary to win the nomination. It's apparent there's a very large proportion of SoCons have picked Santorum and they are going to ride that horse until it drops.
They will not vote for Gingrich or any other candidate. For them, Santorum or nothing.
Actually many of us are simply OPPOSED to Santorum as the nominee. Philosophically opposed.
Just as many SoCons are philosophically opposed to Gingrich. They intend to ensure that no man as sleazy as Gingrich showed himself to be (whether past or current) ever wins the GOP nomination.
I’m a resident of Mississippi, formerly a resident of Tennessee, I have voted for Lamar Alexander for Governor, had I remained I would have voted for both Alexander and Haslan at least in the general election, they have both made some decisions I haven’t agreed with and their Romney endorsements were certainly one. I make my own decisions as to who to vote for and support. There are many politicians here in Mississippi who have endorsed Romney, that neither means I will follow their lead or hold there endorsement against them. I’ve found from long experience that because someone has run for an office and got elected with or without my support doesen’t automatically make them have better judgement or be smarter or more knowledgeable than me in these matters, sometimes though it does tell me I may have made a mistake in the primary election.
Are you sure you're old enough to vote? Debating with you is like arguing with a pre-schooler. What's next, are you going to accuse Newt supporters of having cooties?
They, like MANY Gingrich supporters are driven by emotion rather than reason. We all wrap our emotions in the cloak of reason and can rationalize just about any position politically.
Don't be too hard on them, one day it might be our turn again:)
Newt is surging at the right moment. Can’t wait to go vote for Newt tomorrow.
Rick Santorum needs to go on the offense by releasing a statement:
Newt and his supporters are “stealth Romney supporters that hate America (especially the children!)”.
That should bolster his struggling campaign.
So how do you know which ones you should vote for?
I have no idea how they are identified. Maybe a Volunteer can give us some insight.
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