>>I still want Newt to stay in to the convention.<<
If Gingrich’s voters would essentially split between Santorum and Romney if he dropped out, then you’re right. Tonight was a good example. Gingrich took some of Santorum’s delegates, but he also took some of Romney’s. Splitting the pie in thirds gives Romney less delegates than if it’s split into halves.
However, we’re going to hit some winner take all states, and I honestly think a healthy majority of Gingrich’s votes will go to Santorum, enabling him to win those states, whereas Romney might walk away with the entire delegation if Gingrich stays in.
Interesting situation, but I think Gingrich is about to rapidly run out of campaign funding, and that will be what does him in, and probably soon, given the results tonight.
Gingrich would rather that Romney win that that Santorum win. Newt sees Santorum as the interloper who rained on his parade. If he can’t have the nomination, then, by God, Rick Santorum sure as hell can’t have it. Dog in the manger.
Newt cannot see that he simply has failed. He simply is not wanted by enough Republican primary voters. He cannot face that reality, so in his mind, he blames Santorum.
For that reason, he will actually give the nomination to Romney if necessary.
Santorum will have to overcome Newt’s egomania as well as Romney’s robotic billions. And he can do it.
More probably, the voters are smart enough to see what Newt’s inflated sense of himself won’t let him see: that he’s tried and he’s failed.
Santorum can win this but he won’t be getting any help from Gingrich.