Posted on 02/07/2012 10:36:59 PM PST by Steelfish
Santorum Delivers a GOP Stunner Former Senator Wins in Minnesota, Missouri; Romney Campaign Plays Down Nonbinding Contests
By NEIL KING JR. And DANNY YADRON
DENVERRick Santorum jolted the Republican presidential race Tuesday by winning nominating contests in Missouri and Minnesota, puncturing Mitt Romney's claim to be the unstoppable front-runner.
Mr. Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, was running neck and neck with Mr. Romney in preliminary returns from Colorado, a state Mr. Romney won by a wide margin in 2008.
With about 70% of the Colorado vote counted, Mr. Santorum had 38%, to 36% for Mr. Romney. Four years ago, Mr. Romney carried Colorado with 60% of the vote.
Mr. Santorum's twin victories in the Midwest will give his campaign a much-needed burst of momentum and may stir doubt about Mr. Romney's abilities to woo conservatives to his side in important electoral states such as Missouri. So far, Mr. Romney has won in states where he has devoted significant campaign time and advertising dollars.
Mr. Santorum won 55% of the Missouri vote, while Mr. Romney followed with 25%. Texas Rep. Ron Paul was trailing with 12%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wasn't on the Missouri ballot.
Mr. Santorum's Missouri victory margin of almost 75,000 votes over Mr. Romney was nearly 29,000 more than Mr. Romney's combined Iowa and Nevada total.
While the Tuesday results didn't directly award any of the delegates needed to claim the GOP nomination, they showed voters rejecting Mr. Romney even in states where he had performed well four years ago.
Mr. Romney had carried Minnesota in 2008 but placed third there on Tuesday. With 85% of precincts in, Mr. Santorum had 45% of the vote, while Mr. Paul had 27%. Mr. Romney had 17% of the vote and Mr. Gingrich claimed 11%.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Agree.
Here’s what Larry Sabato has to say: (From Guardian-UK)
“Larry Sabato, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, said Santorum’s victories leave the Republican party in “a mess”. Sabato said he did not anticipate Santorum becoming the nominee and if it were to happen, Santorum would lose.”
I was watching FNC last night and they really, really, really did not want to call the Colorado race for Santorum. It was quite amazing.
Haha no thanks, I’ll hang around.
I disagree. A hardcore liberal would even be better than 0...
Hell I’d rather have hillary than 0.
This guy sickens me to my core.
My signup date has little to do with my experience in American politics.
Quit thinking FR is the end all be all of knowledge..
Ha! If only I could find Marty McFly...
According to Real Clear Politics, Rick Santorum has more delegates than Newt.... 35 to 32.
Rick Santorum 2012 Acts 5:39
Rick Santorum 2012 Acts 5:39
Gingrich F’d up concerning Missouri. There are some here that are pissed and have said that if he thinks he’s going to just waltz into Missouri and persuade them to vote for him, he’s got another thing coming.
Of course Missouri was the most expensive ‘beauty’ contest in the nation. But he still screwed up.
At least Santorum came here and made several stops.
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