Do I need to explain this to you?
Each vote Santorum gets is, probably, 0.60 of a vote Newt could have had, because though not everybody voting for Santorum would vote for Newt, but a majority of them probably would vote for Newt as a viable second. So, if Santorum wasn’t a factor, Newt could get 3 votes of every 5 of the Santorum votes.
Santorum will likely not win another state. But enough people will cast their votes for him, state by state, Romney will walk up the middle because Newt and Santorum will split enough votes between themselves that neither will have enough votes to win.
Now, I know you might suggest that Newt drop out, so that many of those voting can then vote for Santorum. But in simply raw politics, I see nothing that suggests that if Santorum were the only alternative to Romney, that he could take the vote. Romney would still win.
Of all those running, Newt is the only one that has a chance to beat Romney. But it’s unlikely that Newt will win if Santorum keeps playing spoiler.
My criticism is the same with Ron Paul, but Ron Paul is running for Ron Paul and no other reason.
I think people should have choices. They should vote for the candidate closest to their views.
Yep, Ron Paul is a stinker. But he's a "Crazy Uncle" idealist stinker, a type much easier to like than a sanctimonious religion-on-his-sleeve altar boy like Santorum.
You Santorum fans are overlooking a huge factor here: Santorum has so far been given a pass on any kind of serious vetting in the MSM as well as by his GOP rivals. Doesn't that raise any red flags for you?
To make matters worse, it's likely Gingrich actually does have the kind of honor Santorum pretends to have, and Gingrich would probably be loath to fire both barrells at Santorum, whereas Santorum -- well, we'll see how far he goes in his negative attacks against Gingrich in Nevada. So far they appear to be honest and sticking to policy, which is fair enough. But how much will Santorum deliberately misrepresent the truth in order to miscast his former ally? And how does it compare to Gingrich -- where has he willfully misrepresented truth in accusing his opponents of bad policy, let alone bad "values"?
How are you going to feel when you find out that Santorum is as tarnished in the ethics and honor department as Gingrich? With a MUCH shallower record than Newt's?
There are no perfect candidates -- Santorum included. The guy is a SET UP for being steamrolled -- he is a babe in the woods whose support base seems to be top-heavy with Pollyannas emotionally invested in a religious "righteousness" that is as fragile and fallible as a cheap dinner plate. Gingrich is not stuff for Pollyannas. He's ugly, battle-scarred, and tough. And has a list of solid accomplishments behind him that make Santorum look like the puppy he is.
Santorum is a set-up, folks.
(By the way, Jonty, I agree with your post, and think you do a great job of helping Santorum fans see the bigger picture.)
Each vote Gingrich gets is probably .98 of a vote Santorum could get. Who did the establishment cheat to win against in Iowa. Who does the Occupy movement try to destroy, while they are okay with the other 3 candidates?