Santorum Delivers a GOP Stunner [Shoe-String Budget: Clean Sweep: Hat-Trick: Wins MN; MO, and CO!]

Wall St. J ^ | February 07, 2012 | NEIL KING JR. And DANNY YADRON

[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

DENVER—Rick 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%.

[FresnoRobert]

Fact: National Taxpayers Union (NTU) issued a congressional scorecard for Gingrich’s record on economic issues. From 1979-98, Gingrich had an average score of 61% (with 100% being a perfect score on supporting lower taxes and limited government).

I find the same to be true of Newt supporters. They tend to overlook huge failings on a host of critical conservative issues not to mention his electability in a general election.

[Downinthedixie]

“Per the latest Rasmussen poll, Obama has somehow managed to get back into positive approval - 51% approval vs. 48% disapproval.”

The reason is obvious. The media and the ignorant lemmings follow the unemployment number as if it were a decree from God.

That 8.3% number means nothing. We have lost tons of workers who do not even show up in the Labor Dept’s numbers. But do you think most Americans know this? Hell no they don’t!

Which is why we’re screwed unless we can somehow relay this fact to the masses. Eff the media and doubleEFF Obama.

[Cincinna]

I just saw they called CO for Santorum. 40-35. Congratulations on a clean sweep defeating Mitt.
My feeling is the two candidates who have little or no chance if beating Barry in the Fall are Romney and Ron Paul.

[true believer forever]

Not to rain on your parade, but if Newt had been on the ballot in MO, have you done the math? Using the past election totals in the other states - I have - as clearly as I could with what I considered reliable figures...

It would have been Newt 36 - Sanctimonium 19...

So include a little reality and context when you post about the results...

CO and MN - true Sanctimonium wins, and props on those! Anybody who beats Willard Your Worst Nightmare - in any way - gets applause from me...

[toddausauras]

I still hope Newt can get back in the game but what a great night for conservatives!

[tennmountainman]

All you Newt supporters ever talked about was his “superior debating skills” He forgot to bring those superior debating skills in the two Florida debates and that has cost him dearly.

Congrats to Santorum.

[Yaelle]

I am absolutely thrilled! Let’s congratulate Rick with a little campaign cash. Donate what you would have spent on coffee or junk food or something tomorrow / today.

[roughman]

That is a good observation. I add one: Maybe we are finally opening our hearts to God and seeing Rick, though flawed, speaks to his values. Just a thought.

[rissole]

READ IT AND SWEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

[RightLady]

The polls can be wrong. Look at Colorado tonite. They were wrong—very wrong. They had Mittwit winning by a landslide there. These approval polls can go up and down all spring and summer. Obummer has been campaigning non-stop except when he is on vacation. Unemployment improving is not the only thing voters look at.

[Jim from C-Town]

I am not at all shocked that Obumbles is poling better than any of our candidates. It is the idea of incumbency. Reagan was behind by double digits in September of 1980 and was swept into office in a landslide with an economy that was not nearly as bad as this one or as bad for as long.

Santorum is to be congratulated. He won where Gingrich didn't contest and if one of them could take it all from Romney, we should be eternally grateful.

Either would be better than Romney and Romney would be a damn sifghjt better thanobumbles. hat being said, I think Either Gingrich or Santorum would be a damn sight better candidate and would handily beat the Obummer. where as Romney would barely win, if at all.

[Cincinna]

Absolutely! POTUS tramples all over the Constitution and the free exercise clause in the 1st Amendment. The fact that he forbade Catholic chaplains in the United States Military from reading the letter from the Council of Bishops, that was read at mass in every Catholic church in America is unprecedented. Dictating to a church what it can and cannot preach in a sermon. Bone-chilling with most evil historical precedents... 1930’s Germany.

Bad timing, Barry.

[Lazlo in PA]

Santorum is not a great choice against 0.

Yeah, you're right. I guess we should fall in line behind your girl Ann Coulter. Mittens all the way, right?

Welcome aboard FR.

[PA Engineer]

This seems to support the idea of a brokered convention.

At least you are consistent. Welcome to FR and learn how to ride the lightening.

[Yaelle]

Yes, this morning the talking heads had been saying that Romney would win CO, but if he didn’t, he’d be in trouble!

Trouble never looked so good!

We might not get stuck with The Rominee!

[DoughtyOne]

...his aggressive work for lobbyists in office and lobbying career after his massive reelection defeat...

Honest to God, how can you look yourself in the mirror after posting this, knowing that Newt represented agencies in Washington, D. C. as well? Folks, you don't have to be honest with me, but at least be honest with yourselves.

BTW: Who made more money at it, Newt or Santorum? I'll bet you know the answer too.

[Yaelle]

I toldja Santorum would rise to the occasion. With his confidence tonight, he is looking stron and ready for both fights ahead.

[nicmarlo]

Bad timing, Barry.

But...great timing for America.

[Lazlo in PA]

Santorum was the lowest ACU rated of the three.

And which of the three was the only one elected in a BLUE state? A 84% ACU and reelected too.

[goat granny]

Also at the convention, delegates only have to vote for the one that got the most in the first ballot...after that they can vote for who ever they want on the 2nd or 3rd ballot..I think Kennedy didn’t win until the 2nd or 3rd ballot...lots of back room stuff goes on then....it can be a real sit on the edge of your seat convention...