If the Gingrich supporters really wanted to force a brokered convention, they would have gotten behind Santorum.
Simple as that. Their strategy here was to take up as many conservatives as they could and prevent them from consolidating to a candidate that could defeat Romney, and throw critical states to Romney.
And that’s exactly what they accomplished.
Newt has only defeated Romney in 2 states, GA and SC, that’s it. States that he might have a chance on the ballot are AR, TX, KY, WV, and NC. That’s 5 states. Even if he wins all the delegates in all 5 states, that still doesn’t get the combined total of Gingrich/Santorum/Paul to stop Romney.
And it’s a big if that he will top Romney in any of those 5 states, given his showing elsewhere.
I wondered about that too at the time, but the polling data was saying that if Gingrich had pulled out his supporters would not necessarily have gone to Santorum. If they went to Mitt instead, then Mitt would have gained votes that would otherwise have gone to Newt.
There are people who just don’t like Santorum.
There are people who just don’t like Newt.
Partly because of the cult of personalities. Partly because of bad blood between the supporters of each guy. Partly because of the personal histories/stands of each candidate.
If any of those things weighs more than principle in the minds of voters, we’ll be stuck with Romney. Because of the priorities of the voters.