[TBBT]

Santorum couldn't win a national election. All he can do is clear a path to the nomination for Mitt. Santorum has spent his entire campaign in Iowa he has no ground game in any other state, will not be able to capitalize on any expected benefit from a top three finish in any other state, is taking votes from the only two conservatives with a chance of winning the nomination Gingrich and Perry. Santorum is in it for himself.

That is a fact. But why let facts get in the way?

You'll not convince the second tier hopefuls. They will cling on to any ray of hope no matter how dubious.

History is about to repeat itself (re. 2008). The conservatives will continue to remain split - holding out for one non-viable candidate or another - and Romney will walk away with it.

There will be crying and recriminations galore. But, they won't be able to say that they were not told...

[Hoodat]

History is about to repeat itself (re. 2008). The conservatives will continue to remain split - holding out for one non-viable candidate or another - and Romney will walk away with it.

Romney walked away with it in 2008? Gee, the things you learn here on Free Republic.

[mamelukesabre]

I don’t see any similarities between this election and the last republican primary. You are full of it.

[napscoordinator]

Unbelievable. You are supposed to be a conservative yourself and you keep saying “they” “they” “they”. What the heck are you?????

[County Agent Hank Kimball]

Hey, I’m a Newt guy and have been from the beginning. But of the others, Santorum is the only one I could enthusiastically support in the general election. Well, I could support Perry pretty happily too, but I’d be constantly worried that he might identify Montreal as the capital of France or something....but I digress.

If Santorum should somehow win Iowa, he’d have as good a chance as anybody to get the not and as good a chance as anybody to beat Filth in the general election. Why do you think he wouldn’t?

Hank

[Yaelle]

And what else is there? We need to vote for somebody. Who? Not Romney. Newt is not conservative and definitely not trustworthy. Paul, the nuts anti-Semite??

Santorum could be our guy. With a clear vision for a free America, strong abroad, strong economically, and a vow to fight for the freedoms of all Americans gay and straight, while not supporting a gay agenda, Santorum could beat Obama.

[Crichton]

You'll not convince the second tier hopefuls. They will cling on to any ray of hope no matter how dubious.

So are you supporting Ron Paul? or Mitt Romney?

Or if you are supporting Newt, why should conservatives rally around YOUR second tier candidate instead of stronger conservative?

First tier
Mitt Romney 21.8
Ron Paul 20.8

Second tier
Newt Gingrich 15.3
Rick Santorum 12.3
Rick Perry 10.5
Michele Bachmann 9.5