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Gingrich surging–and how should Santorum voters react

By: A_Texan (Diary)  |  January 18th, 2012 at 12:30 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

I am a Santorum supporter, and am frankly disappointed that it appears–as of the last two days–that it is Gingrich, not Santorum, who is surging.  The latest national, post-Monday-debate poll from Rasmussen confirms: Santorum remains in the mid teens, along with Paul, but Gingrich has regained ground, and is only 3 points behind Romney nationally.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/sc/south_carolina_republican_presidential_primary-1590.html

I strongly suspect that we’ll see the same effect in South Carolina in new polls, with modest bump for Santorum because of the Saturday endorsements.

What do I recommend Santorum voters in SC do?  I honestly don’t know.  Vote for Santorum is what I would do.  Still, there is wisdom in Sarah Palin’s ad hoc endorsement of Newt.  Romney needs to lose South Carolina for this process to continue.  And if Gingrich pulls it out (and a similar debate performance on Thursday will do it, I think), then perhaps that helps Santorum more than Santorum coming in a strong second with Romney the winner.

It’s all very exciting–and for that reason alone I will be very disappointed if Romney wins South Carolina and then strolls to the nomination.  A protracted fight will be good for our eventual nominee.

And if Gingrich wins, and the Iowa recount shows that Santorum won Iowa, then Romney, Santorum, and Gingrich can credibly say that each has won a primary, but only Santorum did so in a state that wasn’t his back yard.

COMMENTS

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  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    He’s NOT a conservative, he’s never exerted one iota of leadership in any realm but being a big government toad. The guy is now crashing because it’s obvious he’s an empty cheap suit.

    The only reason Santorum did well in Iowa is because he bought Pantaloons’ endorsement and organization. The guy is simplyl pathetic.

    • pj2012

      my thoughts exactly. I’m a strong Perry supporter to the end… but I’ll go Newt before I will ever vote for BG Santorum!!

  • David123

    If Santorum+Gingrich+Perry beat Romney in SC, Romney is far from annointed. As long as it’s proportional, Santorum, Gingrich, and Perry can combine their delegates to get a ticket composed of consistent conservatives. Santorum has won Pennsylvania twice, and that would be a good state to carry in the general election.

    Santorum has the most votes of any of the non-Romney candidates. If Santorum beats Romney in SC, then Romney is in serious trouble. If Santorum finishes ahead of Gingrich but behind Romney in SC, then Santorum is still the logical non-Romney candidate. Might be looking at a Santorum-Gingrich ticket. If Gingrich beats Santorum in SC, might be looking at a Gingrich-Santorum ticket.

    Gingrich and Santorum have worked together to advance the conservative issues in the past, and they are natural allies now – just have to figure out who leads the ticket. They can function together as a good-cop/bad-cop team.

    Santorum, Gingrich, and Perry have all pointed out Romney weaknesses. Santorum and Perry have less baggage than Gingrich and Romney.

  • http://www.tooncesthecat.wordpress.com tooncesthecat

    Particular an overnight poll taken immediately following a debate. It’s all about South Carolina now. The only thing that counts is what happens Saturday in the Palmetto State. That will tell the tale.