How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Santorum sweep of Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado once again raises serious questions about why many conservatives can't stomach Mitt Romney.
One, it wasn't even close. And two, Romney failed in places where he was successful four years ago.
Santorum had more than double Romney's support in Missouri.
Romney came in third in Minnesota, a state he won in 2008.
And worst of all for Romney, he was losing Colorado, where he won 60% of the vote last time around.
Writing for the Daily Beast, CNN political contributor Paul Begala points out Romney has more national experience, more staff, more money and "better hair" than Santorum.
Begala described Romney's losses this way, "There's a technical term in political consulting for a performance like that: It's called sucking."
Although Romney is still the GOP's likely nominee, Tuesday’s thumpings will make more people wonder about his electability.
Santorum is now out to convince Republicans that he, not Newt Gingrich, is the strongest conservative challenger to Romney.
And the convergence of recent events is a conservative's dream come true, from the Komen Planned Parenthood uproar to the Proposition 8 ruling in California to President Obama's dust-up with the Catholic Church over birth control.
As for Gingrich, his showing pretty much confirmed that it's over for him.
For Republicans, none of this can be very encouraging. Low turnout in Tuesday’s races suggests Republican voters aren't overly thrilled with any of their choices.
President Obama must be watching all this the way NASCAR fans enjoy a multi-car pileup at the race track.
Here’s my question to you: How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Santorum's win has turned the Republican race into something rather topsy turvy. The race is very much changed. Exactly how this sweep will change the race is still to be determined. It should be fascinating to watch! The Republicans are on quite the roller coaster this year.
Jack,Until he tells us what his plan is we can't know what a sweep in 3 minor contests means besides the fact that
he is the poster child for massive pork barrel spending.
David
It changes the Republican primary race to a three ring circus instead of two. I don't count Ron Paul in this circus because his views truly belong with a third party.
It doesn't. Just because a majority of Republicans in MO, CO, and MN want to party like its 1799 doesn't mean the rest of Republicanville does. The Republican Establishment will not allow the Christian Taliban to destroy their chances of defeating a relavitely weak President. That's what happened last time with Palin. They won't let it happen again.
Until the Romney attack ads start up against him, Jack. I don't see it lasting, Jack. The GOP are still shopping around for a candidate; they'd prefer not to buy Mitt from the way things look. Can't say that I blame them; I wouldn't ever consider voting for Mitt – period.
Jack: It proves that Newt Gingrich is not the only born again conservative in the Republican Race. Rick Santorum might get a needed boost in political contribution, but his success will be short lived. I believe Newt Gingrich will fight on into the summer with Mit Romney, but I believe Rick Santorum will drop out my the middle of April. Ron Paul will go all the way to the convention, because he listens to the beat of a different drummer.
It just means that the Republicans don't know WHAT the heck they want...
Jack: It is a temporary political emotional peak of demograhic origin. He has reached his political organism-–while Nootie is experiencing "electile dysfunction."
No delegates but it changes the race? All it does is reflect continued dissatisfaction with Romney as a candidate by the most conservative members of the Republican Party and some tricky electioneering by Santorum. Same as with Gingrich, at best this give him say on the party platform at the convention, but it doesn't change much.
The Republican nomination is unclear. It is becoming increasingly more probable that the nomination will require the convention to vote several times.
It confirms what many have suspected - that Mitt Romney is not the key ingredient in a GOP gourmet presentation. His hor dourves were good but the main course lacks pizzazz. Beyond that is the reality that time is growing short for the Republicans to bring forth a chef that can create a winning menu in November In the meanwhile Barack Obama's simply licking his chops.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona .
It just means it's his turn in the barrel, Jack.
It makes it increasingly clear Republican voters don't want Romney forced on them by the powers that be, so who knows what will happen. I can't help but think it gives the christian right a little hope of our government run as a theocracy, with Santorum letting his religious beliefs lead t he way. Scary thought, that. Frankly I don't know how much more of this hatefest America can take, without being harmed irreparably.
Not really, the republicans have been falling over themselves since the beginning and they seem to be keeping this up- actually this keeps getting better!
Stupid America. 4 years from now, Romney is still gonna get his 20M per year. But, you and your family are still gonna be without a job. See, even when he loses, he always wins 🙂
Let's hope it doesn't. But it does bother me that candidates like Rick Santorum, who want to inject theocracy into our laws and government, are that popular. Ultrra conservatism and ultra-liberalism doesn't scare me as much as a theocracy does. Rather than get government out of our lives they just want to move government into the bedroom.
I often wonder how the funding fathers, most of whom were Diests, would fare in today's Republican Party. Here's what Thomas Jefferson had to say about that on Dec 6th, 1813, ""History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes."
How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race?
If anything Jack when they all converge in Florida in August for the Convention there will be No Clear Winner and none will have enough delegates to win the nomination. Wonder if the Supreme Court will have to decide that race too? Since they installed GW Bush to his first term. History may be repeating itself. Wonder how the GOP will feel about that?
Jenna
Roseville CA
Jack, Think of this as a distance race on a small track... if "lap" leaders change throughout the race, commentators will glorify the battle and fan interest will peak at the finish. Remember, only NASCAR pays lap leaders....
I think it opens the door to a candidate who's story is pretty "Mainstream America". A candidate who is a true God worshipping, family loving, country loving American. An American who has SOLID core values who is secure enough in thise values to stand up for them without changing like the weather or for the next round of polls.
A very decent, sincere man who many, many Americans can rally around instead of the pathetic desperate fools................. either party.................in or out of office.
A true breath of genuine fresh air.
Jack, Only NASCAR pays lap leaders, a close race makes for an exciting finish.
Well it really doesn't change anything. Santorum received no delegates from Missouri and only a handful from the other two states. Missouri has 40 unbound and Colorado has 36 out of a grand total of 2,286 unbound. These two states are just a drop in the bucket and really the delegates do not have to vote for the popular vote winner anyway. It will all come down to promises and political ambitions in the end. It is not about what the people of America want it is about what the people in power want.
tampa, fl guess obama doesn't need to worry about his upcoming re-election then.
The Santorum sweep will forced Romney go even more negative which seems to reveal more of his weaknesses as a viable President. This scenario will result in more red meat for the Dems watching on the side line and Romney will subsequently end up a lot more bloodied at the end of the republican primary. The Dems love self inflicted wounded and bloodied republican presidential candidates not to mention the campaign expenditure savings they will realize as a result of the republican in-war. Newt will come up with a grander idea to start a colony on both the Moon and Mars.
I think it means the Republican Party is still looking for their candidate. It means Romney took his foot off the gas once again an assumed that he would at least win Colorado. It means Gingrich and Santorum switched places and it is now Santorum who is getting Gingrich's votes. Super Tuesday should tell the story. It also means that Romney needs Gingrich and Santorum both to stay in the race. Because if one of them drop out Romney would be in serious trouble.
The only change I can see Jack is that there are still alot of undecided voters out there who really don't get too excited or inspired with the leading candidate. Santorum's sweep might be what it takes to get voters generated in the right direction. I think Mitt got Trumped!!!
It just highlights that most Republicans and conservatives don't really know what those terms mean. So they would rather vote for someone that won't audit the FED or demand sound money? So they would rather vote for someone all too willing to send us to war against a country that his own CIA has said is not developing nuclear weapons? Guess there are just too many Americans willing to sit in front of boob tubes, and follow the bouncing ball on the screens...
Ron Paul in 2012...
All it does is make Romney prepare an attack salvo for him, in the next big primary that matters. That's Romney's entire campaign strategy......but it is working.
"Don't mean a thing if you don't have the swing" (states, that is).
Santorum's so-called "sweep" doesn't change anything. Right wing Lemming-like evangelicals will vote for whomever they are told to vote for. No alot of rational free thinking going on with that group, so nope, no change for conservatives. I must admit though, Santorum doesn't make me thow up in my mouth like Gingrich does, at least not yet.
Jack, Mr. Santorum's recent wins in three states may only delay Mr. Romney's nomination, but they indicate that he will probably need to name a conservative as his running mate to clench the deal at the convention. Mr. Santorum could become Mitt Romney's vice president if the Republicans win the White House for the next four years.
Emmett M. Smith
Mobile, AL
Santorums sweep will not change the ultimate outcome of the Republican Primaries as it is still highly likely that Romney will win. However, Romney will a great deal more bloody and find himself with less treasure in his campaign chest to take on President Obama.
It just shows that Pres Obama is in.
I don't see it changing much. Campaign's need fuel, Romney has more money than Santorum.
It prolongs the race until women learn Santorum wants to ban birthcontrol. Then he will become another republican flavor-of-the-month, taking his place beside Perry, Cain, Huntsman, etc. Next?
Eve Lemon of Texas
How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race?
Answer : He's Just the flavor of the Month. It's his turn to be in the hot seat.
If anything I think it will further divide the GOP. Right now they hate the left, but they don't know where to go themselves. There is Romney's camp who wants to keep the government out of the boardroom so big business can do anything they want, and now there is Santorum's camp who wants to put the government in the bedroom so people can't do what they want. I suppose it depends on what the GOP wants more.
hopefully Rick Santorum's sweep extends the Republican "cat fight" well into the summer. LOVE to see a "brokered convention" in Tampa. that would be "The Greatest Show of Political Smurfs".
It simply means that Romney is beatable. The race is still wide open, and I don't think we are going to see a winner emerging until May or so. It also means that people are still looking around for another candidate other than Romney. The public has been poisoned about Ron Paul, so they are looking at everyone else. Sooner or later, apparently later, they will come to see Ron Paul for what he is: the only true conservative in the race with a record that supports his rhetoric.
As long as Romney keeps laying eggs, he needs to stop counting chickens before they hatch. No one is inevitable.
It would be nice if Santorum's win yesterday would give us some relief from Romney talking about Obama's "failed policies" and from Gingrich telling us how great he is and how inferior we are.
Anybody but Romney. Connecting and charisma are not in his DNA. Compared to Mitt, Barack seems like Mr. Warmth.
Carol in Northampton
There is no surprise that the right wing nut jobs are all running towards a Sanatorium.
Oops, I mean Santorum, though there really isn't much difference.
It doesn’t. Like it or not, it will be Romney, which means, like it or not, Obama gets a second term.
No, its the same show thats been going on for the past 4 years. Republicans will never be able to rally around one candidate because of so many competing extremists. Instead of two strong candidates like Clinton and Obama, all the Republicans can field are weak candidates who spout more and more extreme dogma. Romney will limp into the convention to pleas for Christie and Jeb Bush and anybody else to save them from the evil 'moderate' Romney. He will then have to run against an incumbent with all his extremist baggage, giving America just another chance to send a brain dead Republican to Washington.
Rick Santorum let everyone know that this race is not over. He's like the steadfast turtle who just passed the hare who is sleeping under the tree. Oh, I think, the hare is a little embarrassed at his performance.
It just makes it longer and more drawn out. Santorum could not even win re-election as Senator in my home state of PA. Romney is going to have to spend more now and work a little harder but will emerge as the GOP nominee.
Jack,
It doesn't mean anything. He will flame out like all the others. The Republican establishment wants Romney, and that is because they need to appeal to the Independents and Moderates out there. Santorum just showed that all the evangelical wngnuts come out to vote. Later on and in the general election the evangelicals will be grossly out numbered, and Santorum will be an afterthought.
Jack, it doesn't change the race at all. Republicans will say Romney is not their guy, but he is the only one, of the four, who can challenge Obama. Republicans will say how they want a true conservative, but come convention time, they will all fall in line behind Romney, because its not about true conservatism, its only about beating Obama, and Santorum can't do that.
Santorum is now out to convince Republicans that he – not Newt Gingrich – is the strongest conservative challenger to Romney.
W-R-O-N-G J.a.c.k!
Santorum is now out to convince Republicans that he – not Newt Gingrich – is the strongest conservative challenger to Obama
you get'n tired, want me to take over for a while? contrary to your opinion, 'i'll smile. LOL
Nothing changes. This goes down to the wire. Obama had best not get too sure of himself, even he missteps- HSS debacle. Yes, let the Republicans candidates slug it out right through Tampa, but don't count the votes just yet. Its only February and we have an economy to deal with, wars fought and yet to be fought, payroll tax extensions etc. Its not over until the fat lady sings, right Chritie?
Santorum's latest victories show that republicans are watching very closely and paying attention. Romney is in no way a shoe in, Paul's a joke but Santorum seems to be stable and sincere.
Ssshhh! Be quiet! Don't tell anyone how damaging...or how hilarious...this is. This is more fun than watching a Demolition Car Derby at the track! How does it change the race? It makes it even MORE enjoyable.
Rick Santorum does give voters an alternative to Gingrich and Romney on the abortion issue. Rick is strangly against abortion. Rick also seperates himself from Romney and Gingrich on the Bailout Issue. Rick has stated that he is agaist the Bailouts of big Corporations. If Santorum would come out against the selling of pooled Mortgage Securities, and make it illegal for Banks to buy out private mortgages again, he could sway some independents like me, to vote for him despite his rigid stance on abortion. He is sure to recieve a heavy dose of negative ads waged against him now, primarily from the Romney backers. The next two primaries will be very interesting. Doug, Pepperell, MA.
It changes things about the same as switching cans in a coke vs coke taste test.
Santorum seems to win in states without delegates attached until the spring or summer convention – and these deals usually award the front runner, not the beauty contest winner in their state, at least on the GOP side. Santorum's big nite means nothing unless Gingrich bows out or is dropped by the movement. That has not happened yet and Newt's ego won't let it happen. Santorum and Gingrich need much heftier campaign organizations if they want to stop Romney.
First of all, I cannot get my mind around the enormous number of political morons (not mormons) there are in this country. To support a zealot of any religious denomination is catastrophic. To support anyone who disdains science, evolution, and human contribution to global warming is just plain asinine. To support anyone who truly, honestly believes that allegiance to a religion supercedes common sense is counter intelligent. To support a person who constantly belittles the office of the president is traitorous. To vote for a person with no plan, no economic know-how, no independence of thought in religious matters, a completely closed mind to equality . . . . . hooboy....
But all that being true, and accepted by intelligent beings, the sweep of nonbinding delegates from a mediocre showing of the radical right nutcases of three states is not important. At least, one HOPES that it is not important or meaningful.
Looks like the Republicans have a new entry in the "poster boy of the month" club.
How many delegate votes did he get and what impact do they have on the grand total needed to be the GOP candidate?
How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race?
Consiering his "History" to this point compared to Obamas it's Obama that should get sweeped right-out-of-the-white-house: \\\ "Rick Santorum's sweep "///
What race?
Santorum's sweep keeps him alive for at least through super Tuesday. That's the worse case. Best case Santorum takes Romney to a brokered convention with Newt screaming and kicking all the way that he is the best candidate for president. It's time to sit back, eat some popcorn and enjoy the show!
Keeps it at least a 3 way race and not a 2 wat brawl or a coronation
The establishment may choose Romney,Gingrich may think he is a historian so he is the best for the country, but the truth is it is "WE THE PEOPLE". i mean people power, NOT Romney's money or his deceitful ads or Gingrich debate performace. Republicans will not be fooled this time. we want a leader NOT a Business man we want a leader not a failed speaker
More excitment, confussion and money to be spent over the next several months. It is obvious that this is a 2 person race between Santorum, not Gingrich and the one the GOP doesn't like or trust. Am sure the political pundits on the left are loving this mess and hope to see a brokered convention.
Keeps the debacle going for awhile longer. Proves also that it ain't over til it's over!
Jack, it really changes nothing. Romney appeals to the mostly quiet centrist segment of the party, but when he gets into country where there is a huge evangelical segment, like South Carolina or Missouri, or a more white wing survivalist segment, like Colorado or Minnesota, he has problems. It's more proof that the GOP is still in flux.
Actually Jack, it doesn't change much. Remember Michelle Bachmann who won the Iowa straw poll. In the end it didn't matter for her and in the end it will not matter for him. By next week he will have felt the wrath of the Romney Super PAC's negative ads and he will fade away to the inevitable Romney nomination and then the process starts all over again. Isn't Democracy grand?
It means the conservatives are stubbornly pushing for a true conservative. This, instead of what's best for the party. If they would accept Romney,the party as a whole could start considering their strategy for November. At this rate, they 'll be unprepared for November, and President Obama could roll to an easy victory.
It means there is no front runner; no inevitable nominee. This doesn't speak so much to the appeal of Santorum as it does to the lack of enthusiasm for Romney. Even intellectually challenged right wingers have figured out that Mitt is a fake, a phony and a pathological liar. He is the Jon Lovitz of presidential candidates; making up ever bigger lies to cover for the ones he told yesterday. And, as you said, it's pretty much over for Newt. So that leaves the Republicans with what? And we all thought Sarah Palin was a joke.
Religion and government share a common core principle. They both claim the right to kill or otherwise suppress those that don't agree with them. When religion IS the government........
None have the credential or resume of a Conservative. Battle of the RINO's for Big Business supremacy. They all wish to lower taxes on the rich. Allowing them to pollute the planet and deregulation. More crony profiteering the entitelment programs of the poor and Bailouts for 2big2fail bankers. The Democrats well,... they're worse
It was great to see Rick Santorum do so well in the three states last night. All of the candidates are fine men, but Rick Santorum is the best candidate for the Republican party. He relates to people on a personal level. He is honest and real and hasn't spent his time pitching negative comments back and forth as Romney and Gingrich have. He knows what America needs and keeps his focus for America's future. People long for their God-given rights to be acknowledged and protected again. Rick Santorum is the right man for the job! Karen from Oregon
Well he has secured at least Vice President. He has the power to swing delegates away from gingrich and broker the second spot on the ticket. He does not have the money to buy the white house like Romney so if he just doesn't let everyone see that the king has no clothes he will be a player.
i endorse obama and i approve of rick's victories
At this point and with the mess the whole thing is now, it means it's Wednesday, February 8th, and that's about all. Years ago Barry Goldwater warned about letting the Religious Right get control of the Republican Party and he was correct. It will be the demise of it. All the "true conservative" talk out of these "church speaks" says they have no clue what real conservatism is. The base has been so muddied, no one is ahead.
It means there is no republician party. Just a bunch of voters with no clear objective, other than to defeat President Obama, after which they will have to complain about whom they elected to replace him.
Radical change Jack, radical .. now instead of choosing a candidate for governor of the moon, the GOP will have to chose if they want a liberal miracle from Massachusetts who had his father baptized against his will after he was dead or a retrograde who wants to move the WH to Jerusalem.
Looks promising ... for Comedy Central's business
It means that more states get a say in who the GOP candidate is. It's been obvious that a majority of Republicans just do not like Romney. Apparently, they've decided on a favorite non-Rom candidate and it is not the abrasive, bombastic, hypocritical serial adulterer Newt. A lot more states will weigh in and it will be Romney's money and machine versus the will of the people who can't stand him. May the best man..... sit home and laugh. cy from arlington, va
I think it means that a few states are much more right wing than others, and that the not-Romney crowd is swinging away from Newt for the same reasons they swung away from everyone else. Only now there's no one else new to swing to, and Ron Paul is still seen as too fringe (scary when you consider the field), and so they swing back to Santorum.
Santorum and Gingrich will likely continue to split the not-Romney vote back-and-forth, leaving Romney to walk away as the overall winner.
Jack, It means the republicans can add dazed and confussed to out of touch with reality! Jack from Nice Ca.
I disagree that recent events are a conservative's dream come true; just the opposite. The Komen backlash and the defeat of the personhood amendment in a state as conservative as Mississippi prove that. Pushing extreme agendas like anti-birth control is only going to rally the liberal base behind Obama not to mention pushing a lot of moderates in his direction as well. And the recent wins for Santorum just prove that the GOP cannot (or will not) rally behind one candidate nationwide. This all bodes ill for the Republicans come November.
Jack, it means that Donald Trump & Sarah Palin are scratching their collective chins !
David, Las Vegas
the race is over!
Myth MorNEY lost!!!
How can anyone back Santorum? Ok if he is fiscally conservative.....but his social stands are bordering on fantasy....he is a gross human being. What is wrong with people? How can anyone support Santorum??????????
It changes nothing. The fact Santorum managed to take three states away from Romney last night means that Romney will simply come back stronger than before, take Michigan and Arizona, possibly Washington state and Maine, and then.....Super Tuesday. The only thing it could possibly change is the electability of Newt Gingrich.
Social conservatives have a problem. Either they won't get their candidate OR they'll lose the White House. If the GOP doesn't purge these guys, they'll become a coalition party.
Most Americans won't accept their narrow mindedness. More and more Americans are secular in deed, if not to pollsters. The majority of Americans just refuse to knife their neighbors.
None of this matters. The top 1% of the top 1% have decreed that Mitt will be the next president. Just like they did for Bush in 1999. They will spend whatever is necessary and do whatever is necessary - legal or not - to get him elected. They sat out the 2008 election because they knew there was nothing they could do to get a Republicn elected. (If die mysteriously in the next few days, you'll all know why.)
Rick Santorum is from the Lord God. Romney is a Mormon and hates the poor and has no understand the little people in the United States. Rick Santorum is a conservative, a true one. Romney is a moderate, and flip flops. Gingrich is basically a big mouthed nobody. Rick Santorum will be our next president because it will take a real Christian true conservative to beat a real weird weak liberal like Obama. Rick's conservative will show down the real left winged liberal in Obama. Peggy from Wyoming -we are yet to vote!
The Santorum sweep doesn't change anything. We all expected a long primary season when we had 3 different winners in 3 primaries back in January, and now we're just more certain of it.
Romney's strategy is beat down his opponents with a huge bag of money. That didnt go as well as planned yesterday. i cannot wait for the GOP convention...one word...DRAMA!
The reason Santorum was able to come out ahead in the three states is because he was back home taking care of his child and not out talking. Seems like these candidates just talk and stick their foot in mouth.
Pennsylvania resident
Santorum's wins last night ensure that the GOP will be helping the economic recovery at least for another month by pumping millions of dollars in advertising revenue by Candidates and SuperPacs
I would say he has a chance, he only needs a sugar daddy like Gingrich has. He comes at the job the same way Obama did, what's wrong with that
Mr. Santorum's hat trick proves that money can't buy elections no matter how hard the top 1% and the SuperPacs try.
Romneys polls show that the more people know about him, 2 to 1 people like him less. Obama, is very easy to like, otherwise he never would have beat the established Hilary Clinton to begin with. I would say what happens is not going to change November, the GOP is going to get thumped. They are not matching Obama's fund raising yet, and they are spending it on just becoming nominated.
It doesn't change the race at all. They just need to change the ballot by adding a "none of the above" slot.
I'd say it is more of a result of the republican party's struggle to find new and creative ways to shoot itself in the foot. 1. Support greedy wall street bankers and corporate executives - check; 2 - dust off the most shady and corrupt former house speaker they could find and promote him to run against Obama - check; 3 - grind your leading candidate into the ground for being 'too rich' while supporting every effort by big business to destroy the US middle class - priceless. It really doesn't matter how dysfunctional the democrats have become when the republicans insist on outdoing them in their awfulness.
Hopefully it will make people pay more attention to Mr. Santorum's platform which is solid, sincere, and substantial.
"It doesn't make any difference! Nobody will be carrying any extra weight going foreward. There were no Delegates??
I really don't understand your politics an yways. But is running alone right the way through so it seems??"
It means that Romney now will have to increase efforts to pander to right wing extremist. This will hurt him in the general election because most americans are moderate and will align themselves with President Obama. The republicans failure to compromise will be their biggest impediment.
I'm a democrat, and I didn't vote for Obama 4 years ago, but if Santorum or gingrich wins the nomination I will vote Obama and try to persuade everyone I meet to vote Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!
Santorum was wise to tell Newt to step back when he suggested Santorum should drop out to clear the way. It was just a matter of time (days) before Gingrich withered under the scrutiny he was able to avoid as a back of the pack candidate and self inflicted wounds. I disagree with Santorum on policy and ideology but I respect his work ethic and getting people to the polls by relentlessly shaking hands and talking to people.
Obama is running alone so there is no change there either??
Not a lot. Ron Paul is the only conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. Ron Paul is surging in national polls and fairs very well with Barack Obama in terms of hypothetical match-ups on a national level and in many battleground states. Rick Santorum does not have the money or the organization to continue on in the race; not to mention his counterfeit conservitism with his huge liberal record on Capitol Hill. Newt Gingrich is a joke who has no shot at the nomination or the Presidency and chances are we are probably going to have a brokered convention.
"President Obama must be watching all this the way NASCAR fans enjoy a multi-car pileup at the race track." I wondered what the attraction was. Do they enjoy it more if someone is killed?
In 2000, Colorado voted for Bush by 51.7%, in 2008 it was Obama by 53.5%. It's fair to say that CO is a swing state. So to see the CO GOP vote for Santorum, someone who would apparently outlaw birth control, who doesn't believe in evolution, global warming, that the world is about 4000 years old... it tells me that CO will go blue in November.
Santorum's sweep only shows that the conservative party is also being tied with the religious party, and that being a fiscal conservative and a social conservative are becoming fundamentally different. Despite what it means for the party, and how I THINK the party will divide as these contrasts become more apparent, politically, or better for this election, it does nothing!!! The economy is our big issue in America, and I don't think a social conservative, will change much in the long term against Barack Obama. BTW you should personally interview me, I want to meet Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, and their white hair.
Santorum is the blue plate special that everyone goes for only on blue plate special days. Any other time anything on the menu is good enough.
Henri S. Kahn
Laredo, Texas
With Romney stating that Santorum is trying to behave like a Democrat, my curiosity is aroused. I am a Democrat very displeased with the Obama administration. Now I would like to know more about Santorum which I had no interest in before. Crossing the political line to vote Republican after being a Democrat my entire voting years was not to be swayed by Romney. Santorum would definitely get a consideration. Rienzi, MS
It changes nothing Jack, because this GOP nominating process has been the flavor of the month since day one:
Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Romney, Santorum have all held the frontrunner flag at some point. So now it's the man who couldn't beat the man who couldn't beat Obama versus the senator who couldn't get re-elected in his home state. What a mess.
I just want this to continue. Anyone of these buffoons would be fun to watch trying to take on President Obama. He wouldn't even have to open his mouth. Just his presence on a debating stage with one of these guys would state the obvious! Those four republicans look like a sad collection of bookies, desperately trying to lure the ignorant in with their promises to turn the clock back.
Love your politics. Very entertaining. We have our share of fools in politics here too of course. But nothing close to this show!
It means conservative Republicans have finally come to terms with what I've known for a long time.....that it is better to vote for something you believe in, than vote for against someone. Santorum is a vote for conservatism, Romney is a vote against Obama, because he's the most electable. I think Santorum's sweep means the conservative base has decided to rather vote their principles. This race will go on until Santorum runs out of money.
it means that religion is back as the #1 issue in conservative politics, with money as #2 and reason and people trailing far begind
Hey Jack, it's like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic – in the short term, it's a distraction but, in the longer term. it won't change the final outcome. Republican's will need a sequence of minor miracles to win the WH in November.
it changes nothing. this gop race is like watching 4 kids from "fat camp" in the 100 yard dash with each other , no matters who wins they still won't have what it takes to run with a faster, sleeker, simply in better shape kid like the president.
Granted that Romney's vote share sucked yesterday. Not fair, though, to compare his 2008 vote share in Colorado with 2012 because in both years, conservatives protest-voted against the perceived moderate. In 2008, the moderate was McCain. In 2012, it was Romney himself.
I don't see anything that could be considered a change. The campaign for a nominee has been short sighted from the start. I think with the party disrespect to each other the people have lost faith in party.. The republicans out of work and have lost homes etc., certainly have had little help from the Republican party the last three years. So far four things have been their platform. Make Obama a one term President, kill the health care (that 67% of the people need or want), Capitalism builds jobs ( sure does in China) and let's bomb Iran. I see no change...same old news...its every body's fault...but the Republicans.
Not surprisingly Santorum's recent wins confirm that the lack of of a true front runner in the GOP race will make for an interesting outcome but not a viable opponent to President Obama. None of the GOP candidates have high caliber solutions to the problems we face and lately all of them except for Ron Paul keep invoking the past when the future is what we the public are interested in taking on. Enough of Reagan, manufacturing glory days and our Apollo program. What about that which lies ahead?
Rick who?.... just a minute let me Google him.... oh my...
... no negative attack ad can come close to the damage this has done and will do especially if he is the nominee.
Romney is starting to look better again.
The answer to this is simple, just like Gingrich is to Romney, Santorum is also to Gingrich and Romney. They are all there own worst republican enemy, and together they are fractionating the GOP. If they don't bring a Pres. the GOP may be done in this country. After this, no one will ever take them seriously again! The President must be beside himself with relief that these guy are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO stupid, and this includes Santorum!
Dr G....
it sure does change the race...it's gone from a pole vault to a biathlon....
No change, really. With under 10 percent of voters in the three states participating, it is hard to say the caucuses were representative of the electorate.
Jack,
The Santorum sweep changes everything for Indepenents and Democrats in States with open primaries. With a weak and unpopular President, it is crucial for us that do not want to live under a religous theocracy or a sociopathic megalomaniac to go to the polls and vote for Romney. If the Republicans do manage to capture the White House, we are much better off with Romney than the insanity that Santorum or Newt would bring to the world.
I already voted for Ron Paul in Arizona's republican primary via absentee ballot, I believe Ron Paul is the only candidate out there telling the truth about whats going on in our country. If Ron Paul is eliminated I will definitely support Santorum, no way I would ever support Romney.
I still see a pathway for Gingrich. In fact this gives Gingrich a chance to get back in. The Romney attack machine will now be pointed at Santorum, or at least be divided between Gingrich, Santorum, and Obama. Santorum and Gingrich can again reverse roles (ie recall Santorum the peacemaker at last debate versus Gingrich in earlier debates) and Gingrich can now clarify the narrative- that he's not vitriolic and spiteful but was forced to go negative to survive Romney's attacks. As we now watch the whole scenario play out with Romney et al. going after Santorum (brace yourself for ads highlighting Santorum's 19 point incumbent senate loss- the worse in history) it will give credence to Lazarus I mean Gingrich's spin... and perhaps alongside a new "positive experiment" a 3rd resurrection may just be possible...Remembering of course Gingrich does best climbing up the hill and that he's a horrible King of the Mountain. Gingrich is now perfectly poised for an uphill climb that should be arriving at the throne just in time for super Tuesday after a month of Romney and Santorum destroying one another.
The only thing this changes is when you Google Santorum, you might get a different first definition. Romney has the money, the organization and the backing of the Republican establishment. He'll will the Republican nomination but he doesn't have the depth, strength of character or policies to go all the way to the White House.
It diminishes the possibility of ANY Republican being elected as President come November. Should Santorum somehow get the nomination, he will be lucky to place third in the General Election. The Repubs need to get their act together if they actually want to beat Obama!!!
Ed in Sacramento
I meant he'll WIN the Republican nomination.
Simple: It doesn't.
Sick of the negative ads, sick of the glitterbombs, sick of it all. Do you really know who's who in this race anymore? Can someone new and fresh step into this race?
What difference will it make? We get Dem's and war and spending. We get Repubs, war and spending. Same ol, same ol.
It doesn't.
1. Romney and Gringrich were focused on Florida. Santorum skipped FL and was focused on these three states. But FL was the bigger prize...witness delegate counts. Romney was smarter.
2. How do we know Romney wasn't taking it easy on Santorum to keep him and Grindrich at each other longer, so Romney can win by attrition?
3. Low turnout WAS caused by severe weather. It affects home sales, auto sales, retails sales, and yes politics.
4.Romney plays nice hoping to avoid giving Obama ammunition, but when push comes to shove he will take it up a notch. He is no dummy.
It changes nothing Jack, Pres. Obama must be sitting in the white house thinking this will be easy to beat
these people. The GOP has no clear leader and no clear direction they want to go in.
Santorum doesn't change anything, Jack. The Royal Republican Party will continue to practice the mantra,
if we continue to tell a lie often enough, people will believe us and turn out and vote. The American
people are simply smarter than greed and money. They don't need a Sanitorium or a Mc Money.
Grant, Ventura, California.
We true conservatives have said all along that Romney is too "moderate" to be electable.
When the GOP nominates conservatives, they win: Reagan and W. Bush.
When the GOP nominates moderates, they lose: Ford, Bush I, Dole and McCain.
Santorum's win means that we will return to the issues...just kidding. It means he is the next target for negative ads.
Do people really believe republicans when they use the word fiscal conservatism? It took a so call tax & spend democratic president to give us a surplus economy. it took a so call fiscal conservative republican prez republican congress & a republican seneate to ruin our country. our country was so far ahead when this idiot & his congress & seneate took office look at the end of his term
Its means Trump endorsement for Mitt is working its Magic. U r fired Mitt.
The GOP options are so ridiculous that It's almost like the 2 parties have some kind of pact with who gets to win each year.
this is not only a sign that santorun can be trusted, but more that obhma can,t this is a loud message to mr obhma that catholics have a big say about who will be voting , in 2012 and were they stand there are 6.8billion or so catholics who wont make the same mistaketwice this is like david taking on gollath all he needs is a rock
It's astonishing that this represents the cream rising to the top in the GOP.
Congrat's Rick....I want 4 more years with our president!!!
It looks like this season's hit soap opera will be run through August now.
It doesn't change a thing. Regardless of how many flawed candidates the Republicans have they won't get the White House. Each and every one of their candidates is seriously flawed. By the way, where in the Constitution does it say that a man, any man, has the right to determine what a woman can or can not do with her body or life. If you do not like a woman taking birth control then throw her out of your church. There are religious factions in America that have a striking resemblance to the extreme Islamist s.
Santorum has dethroned both Romney's sole front-runner status at the same time dethroning Gingrich's claim as the only conservative alternative. To me it would seem obvious to nominate Santorum: he'd get backed by BOTH the establishment and the Tea Party, something the other three cannot do.
Well Jack It should tell Newt Gingrich that It time to get out.
If I was a doctor, I would say that Santorum's sweep clearly shows that the pulse of the repulican party has changed.
Romney's negative campaign approach and most importantly the fact that he does not have a clear message that we can identify with will continue to exclude him as a viable candidate.
It's Rick or Newt...just the way most of us want it!!!
The four candidates truly illustrate the dysfunction of not only their party but of the country overall. It is interesting to see the wide swing of voter preference by region. Could this be attributed to the nauseating excess of network coverage? Maybe. But the scarier thought is Admiral Stockdale in 1992 sounded more coherent than the current white haired nut ball Newt Gingrich. When are voters going to stop playing around and choose a better candidate?
How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race? Simple: It doesn't. The republicans have yet to find an electable candidate, and worse, one that republicans actually like. That's why these primaries continue to be won by different candidates – the majority of republicans don't really like any of them. They're either too extreme, too out of touch, or simply too unethical to be trusted with the highest office. I think most republicans are actually more moderate than the candidates perceive them to be, but the candidates are too busy trying to out-extreme each other to realize it. This will become most apparent once the eventual GOP candidate faces off against Obama and Obama appears to be the only sane person on the stage.
I'm happy that yesterdays 3 state sweep is making it known that just because mitt romney is the likely gop nominee. Ha! What a crock! That the real conservative vote is going to true americans like rick santorum. Anyone running for office should be willing to pay any price for libertys cause and that means even taxes. How can anyone say that romney is the best choice for president when he hides much of his earnings in discreet offshore accounts to avoid paying them? He would've done it even if a republican favored tax law was in place. You can't get more unamerican than mitt romney unless you repeat the same rehearsed boring speeches like mitt romney. Voting for romney is like overdosing on ambien. Santorum 2012!
It assures the rest of us that the race has not been decided yet, and the other candidates still have a chance. By hearing the media every day declaring Romney will get the nomination discourages voter turn out. Now we know people still have the power to choose. So please, lets not declare Romney or any candidate the winner; untill at least most of the states get a chance to vote.
I think in a way people have always like Santorum but felt that he was kind of a long shot. He actually has a reliable record in the senate and seems just as honest as Ron Paul whose foreign policy is crazy. Now that people see he can gain some real momentum, people will have more incentive to support him openly as opposed to supporting the status quo (Mitt Romney)
I am an independent voter, who at this point, is considering sitting this one out. None of the candidates, including the President, have any ideas on how to fix our problems. They just keep talking, but say nothing! I don't care who is a conservative, or liberal. What good are those titles, they fix nothing!
How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race?
No change Jack the man with the money will buy he way into office. It will just cost more.
From Raleigh, NC
Sadly Santorum's win allows only for the circus to roll on. Willard (Mitt) will now apply his carpet bombing techniques to Santorum a la Newt.
The ruinous Supreme Court ruling (Super PACS) refuses election level discourse and introduces the almighty dollar into the equation. Willard has the almighty dollar with not an electionable bone in his body. Mitt will now proceed to figurtively dismember Santorum.
The only impact this is going to have is on romney's commercial money. Now he has to come up with an entire new batch of bash adds just for poor little rick. He just walked straight into romney's money monster.
As my wife says, the Republicans are the new Democrats. For years, decades, the Democrats shot themselves in the foot, nominating un-electable candidates. They were easy pickins for the Republicans. The shoe is on the other foot now, and despite all the naysayers about Obama this and that, if there's no unanimity of purpose, you can't mount an offensive. Kind of like asking the NY Giants to have 4 different plays called simulatenously and hoping one will work out.
Nobody is going to force Romney as the nominee. The voters in primary and caucus races will decide, that is clear. I do hope he is our nominee, and if so the people will have spoken; if not, we should support the man who wins.
it didn't matter. In Minnesota it was non-binding, so who care. only the diehard utra-right wingers voted for the most part.
The contests yesterday really are meaningless for the candidates, but they said a lot about the state of democracy. Less than 2% voted in Minnesota and Colorado, and Missouri was just a glorified straw poll. If there was any enthusiasm for any of the candidates, people would go out and vote. After the conventions we will hear the same old complaint that people (who didn't participate in the primaries) don't want to vote because there is no one they want to vote for on the ballot.
How does Rick Santorum's sweep change the race? It'll simply cost Mittens more to win. He's still inevitable for the GOP. He'll lose to Obama, but Gingrich and Santorum don't have a snowball's chance.
Columbus, OH