Think about it a while it will eventually come to you. It's a point that was expressed by Newt, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham and several others these last few days so it's not just something only I have thought up. It's common sense.
All you have to do is go back to 2008 and look into how we got McCain. It will come to you. I think.
I haven’t heard Rush say that Perry should drop out now. I didn’t read Sarah saying we needed to clear the field for one candidate — she did say we shouldn’t diss Ron Paul’s base, and she’s said nice things about Santorum, so it doesn’t sound like she wanted him out.
Newt may have said the others should drop out, but so did Ron Paul. Kind of self-serving.
Again, what’s the point of calling for people to drop out, or to change candidates? There’s no influence over the supporters, and they are already making their choices. Of Perry’s 5%, if that doesn’t change, I would bet that 50% of them just like Perry, and wouldn’t bother to show up to vote in a primary if he wasn’t there. OF the remaining 50%, lets say 25% want a governor, someone with executive experience. They are going to Romney, or Huntsman. Of hte 75%, lets say half are social conservatives, and half fiscal conservatives. 10% are going to Paul, that’s just how it works. 32% go to Santorum, 33% to Gingrich.
So Romney gets a 1% bump, And Santorum and Gingrich get 2% bump.
If Perry endorsed someone, that might make a difference, but he’s only commanding 5% of the vote, so it’s not like he has a large following waiting for his pronouncement.
If you really want to stop ROmney in South Carolina, either Gingrich or Santorum have to drop out. But how are you going to pull THAT off? Look at the candidates — they are polling close to even depending on what poll you believe in South Carolina.
Santorum beat Gingrich soundly in Iowa, and tied him in New Hampshire. Santorum has more delegates. Santorum has received more votes. So, Santorum should be the one to stay. But Gingrich polls better nationally, and is polling better in the remaining states. So GIngrich should stay. How do you convince EITHER of them to give up?
Here’s a thought — why don’t they both drop out and endorse Perry? Perry matches up best against Romney, because he has the executive experience. He’s debating much better now, and he still has money, and a proven network. But how would you get both Gingrich and Santorum to move aside for a guy polling 5%?
So again, what’s the point? I think we are just as well served by going with 3 guys into South Carolina, and letting that contest decide who might stay or go.
I do think we need to winnow the field before Florida, because Florida is winner-take-all.