You raise some cogent points.
The singular objection we have to Gingrich staying in the race is that in states where the race is close, he may split the vote and allow Romney to squeak by. We’ve already seen this in two major states as in MI and OH where a different outcome (win for Santorum) would have changed the entire trajectory of this primary. Of course that horse has already left the gate. But there are still some close races ahead like WI. Yes, Gingrich’s attacks on Romney and GOP-e are fine and very well articulated but he also goes after Santorum although not by much.
Santorum’s weekend speech to dismantle big government “by the roots” parallels much of Gingrich’s central plank on less government. If Santorum wins big in La (by 15-20 points) and Romney is reduced to third place, I think he’ll suffer a painful, although not a mortal loss.
This in turn will put pressure on the party grandees and the commentariat to have Romney pick a solid VP as his nominee. Santorum is banking on wooing super delegates his way in the rare case where Romney fails to get 1144 on the first ballot. It’s a real outside chance but that’s about all the hope Santorum can long for and probably a forlorn hope at that.
See:
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/294104/santorum-and-rnc-robert-costa
The singular objection we have to Gingrich staying in the race is that in states where the race is close, he may split the vote and allow Romney to squeak by
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That I understand concerning past contests. And, of course, Newsters make the reverse argument after Fla- But, that’s moot now.
Going forward, however, splitting votes would be inconsequential- unless of course, it allows Romney to get the 1144. And frankly, in that Newt’s entire strategy is to stop Romney, I doubt if he’s going to muck it out by actively competing in a winner take all that Rick can win.
Newt’s already said there are states he won’t compete in.
If Rick’s desire is to get VP, (given that he appears to have burned bridges) his best hope is the brokered convention— and making a power deal.
But, imo, he’s not going to get there if Newt’s out—Newt, wounded though he is, is the driving force to the brokered convention.