Tennessee conservatives carry heavily-outspent Santorum

Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 3/7/12 | Tom Humphrey

[SmithL]

NASHVILLE — Rick Santorum rode a wave of social-conservative support to victory in Tennessee's Super Tuesday Republican presidential primary, overcoming the solid support for Mitt Romney from many state GOP leaders.

The Tennessee results were a disappointment for Newt Gingrich, the former U.S. House speaker, who finished third in a state he had hoped would help his campaign rebound.

The results also marked a rare win for a candidate who was hugely outspent in Tennessee.

Pro-Romney forces, including a "super PAC," spent about $1.6 million advertising in the state — much of the money going to TV ads that attacked Santorum — while Gingrich's forces spent about $470,000, according to the most recently reported figures.

Only about $100,000 was spent on Santorum advertising in the state, but the candidate had made multiple trips to the state — a visit to Knox County last week, the last campaign stop including an appearance at a Memphis Baptist Church on Sunday.

Romney visited Knoxville on Sunday while Gingrich campaigned through East Tennessee on Monday.

"I think what he (Santorum) stands for is the closest to how Tennesseans feel about things," said state Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, who is co-chairman of the Santorum campaign in Tennessee.

[SmithL]

"I think what he (Santorum) stands for is the closest to how Tennesseans feel about things,"

OK, I'll admit it, I really enjoyed voting in Tennessee much more than I ever did back in California.

[skeeter]

This guy is earning conservative votes the old fashioned way & without the big financial backing.

Someone with deep pockets needs to step forward NOW and help him out.

[Mangia E Statti Zitto]

I thought he had Foster Friess?

[skinkinthegrass]

maybe b/c your vote wasn’t rendered heeler by the illegals’ actions

[Bigg Red]

mark

[Coldwater Creek]

It was a smart move on Santorum’s part to come to Memphis (Cordova) I know many who were undecided until he showed up at two church on Sunday. We are considered Redheaded Step Children west of Jackson. Big mistake not to pay attention to this large group of conservatives.