[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Experts say Santorum began struggling with his message shortly after winning a few caucus "beauty" contests in early February. Would-be supporters began looking away when he took jabs at contraception and called President Obama a snob for encouraging people to obtain a college education.

"Wishy-washy," said Terry DeGarmo, 58, a Chillicothe businessman. "The only person he can blame is himself. It is his own words that have made me rethink my support."

His deeply conservative stances on seemingly settled social issues, such as his dislike for contraception, haven't been helpful, even in a Republican primary," Kondik said.

"It now appears that Mitt Romney will win Ohio," Kondik said, comparing the state's dynamic to Michigan a week ago, when Romney turned a polling deficit into a lead by delivering a consistent message and pounding Santorum with advertising.

"That said, the race is not over," he cautioned. "There's little indication that Santorum, former Speaker Newt Gingrich or Texas Congressman Ron Paul are contemplating leaving the race."

Shifting support

Polls in Ohio, released on the eve of Super Tuesday, show Rick Santorum's 11-point lead over Mitt Romney collapsed in one week. Support for Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul remained steady.

[TitansAFC]

We still need to vote against Romney in Ohio, as well.

If possible, we MUST deny him that headline.

[NoGrayZone]

GO NEWT!!!

[brownsfan]

This Ohioan voted Gingrich.

I suspect Romney will win Ohio.

[skeeter]

Santorum may now lose to Romney in Ohio - do you consider it good news, or bad news?

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

This was predictable. The more exposure Santorum warranted, the more the voters saw who and what he is.

To bad, so much attention and support was thrown at so poor a candidate, with so little thought or research. Now, we are almost guaranteed Romney, outside of a Brokered Convention or a miracle.

Newt still has a chance, so I am hoping it will unfold to turn out that way.

[txrangerette]

We will be told that Newt supporters must make up the difference for the collapse, and if they don’t, they and their candidate will be blamed.

I don’t know how it will be blamed on them, as well, that RS has delegate problems in Ohio, but somehow, the entire amorphus mess will be blame shifted elsewhere.

What I wish is that people would look closely at the candidates before jumping to support someone, and imagine them against Obama and the media, and imagine them as president.

Then, vote for the best one.

That one is Newt Gingrich.

The other two are in a seperate class altogether.

[madprof98]

We’re not even watching a train wreck. We’re watching a war where the bad guys win.

[LowTaxesEqualsProsperity]

Santorum is done. He never should have been considered viable, because he wasn’t.

Newt is the only thing between Myth and the nomination.

[FrankR]

If Santorum gets the nomination he’ll be like a pinata hanging in the wind as obama’s gang beats him with an ugly stick.

[throwback]

No bias in that “news” reporting. I especially admire the word “bombastic”. Does Romney pay these people directly, or is this just the Left letting the lamb through the gate. Anyway, there will be consolation in watching Romney get shredded in the general.

[dforest]

Remained steadily low, which isn’t anything to crow about. LOL

[trappedincanuckistan]

The Michigan debate (or shortly before) was the beginning of his slide. What a debacle. All these hoodwinked Santorum supporters could’ve helped the conservative movement by getting behind Newt.

[Cicero]

This is the left-wing propaganda twist on the story.

If Santorum doesn’t win, it will be because all three of the other candidates are viciously attacking him.

[Antoninus]

So you're for Romney. Got it.

You really haven't covered yourself in glory, you know, by posting every hit-piece you can find here on FR to torpedo Santorum. Romney winning Ohio does not help Newt. It actually hurts him. Of course, you may not be smart enough to comprehend that.

Then again, your purpose all along may have been to help Romney and since you know you can't do that openly here on FR, this is the next best thing. Here's hoping your efforts are completely wasted.

[Yaelle]

Your anti Santorum post today only helps mitt.

It doesn’t help your newt.

Think before you post. I cannot believe such a headline is on FR today. Sickening.

[throwback]

Salena Zito is a political analyst, reporter and editorial page columnist at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. She has also reported on Pennsylvania politics for The Weekly Standard. A board member of the Center for Media & Public Policy, she honed her skills working on the campaigns of George H.W. Bush, Senator Rick Santorum, Bush2000, Bush-Cheney 2004 served on the senate staff of U.S. Senator Arlen Specter.

Small world. Did she get her 30 pieces of silver yet?

[Daveinyork]

That’s what happens when you try to tailor your message for the audience. He needs to keep making the point that economic and social conservatism are inseparable.

[onyx]

GO Ohio
FOR NEWT!

WooHoo!!

GO Ohio
FOR NEWT!

WooHoo!!

GO Ohio
FOR NEWT!

WooHoo!!