Posted on 01/21/2012 7:29:34 PM PST by Steelfish
JANUARY 21, 2012 Challenges Mount for Rick Santorum
By PATRICK O'CONNOR and BRODY MULLINS
CHARLESTON, S.C.—Republican White House hopeful Rick Santorum burst out of Iowa earlier this month on a wave of unexpected momentum.
But after a third-place finish in South Carolina, the former Pennsylvania senator finds himself limping into Florida without a clear path to victory and an unforgiving landscape for an under-funded candidate.
With 95% of the precincts reporting, Mr. Santorum was the top pick of 17% of Republican primary voters in South Carolina, well behind former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's 41% and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's 27%. That result came a day after Iowa Republicans named him the official winner of their first-in-the-nation caucuses.
Mr. Santorum drew large crowds this week when he campaigned in the socially conservative regions of South Carolina. But he wasn't able to translate that into a strong showing on primary night. Now, as the race shifts to Florida, Mr. Santorum must figure out how to magnify his up-close appeal to an expansive and expensive state where money typically plays a large role in determining the winner.
On Saturday night, as he has all week, Mr. Santorum pledged to fight on.
"Three states, three winners. What a great country," he told his supporters at an election-night rally at the Citadel in Charleston. "It's a wide open race. Join the fight."
Mr. Santorum often cites his Iowa win as evidence he should remain in the race and has hinted that he expects Mr. Gingrich to flame out at some point. On Saturday, his campaign announced Mr. Santorum would immediately travel to Florida to start campaigning in the Sunshine State. His first event is a campaign rally Sunday at a chicken wing restaurant outside Fort Lauderdale.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Rick, I love you, but GET OUT NOW!! You are not going to be the nominee but you can insure Romney is by staying in.
it doesn’t matter who wins if it isn’t someone like Santorum, so let him stay in. The country (and the world) must witness the clear distinction between life and death that is Santorum vs. Obama.
I would like to see how he does in Florida. I mean the debates are already down to 4 people and he is not taking any votes from Newt as proof of tonight. I think he brings ideas to the table that need to be discussed right now. If it comes to the point where he is taking votes from Newt, he will drop out.
I have supported Rick. But it’s time for him to get out.
If hes doesn’t, it will be because the GOP establishment want Rick in there to help Romney.
Santorum? Big government RINO? Please.
People should stop giving him pledges.
Seriously.
Rick, I luv you man but, you need to throw your support to Newt and be done with it.
Your message is more aligned with Newt than that other guy.
Do the right thing.
Rick lost the primary within a primary to be the Anti-Romney. He should endorse Newt before FL.
“I would like to see how he does in Florida.”
Me too!
Santorum won Iowa; Romney won liberal NH; Newt won SC. They each won one - it’s a three-man race!
Santorum, unabashedly and undeniably pro-life.
that is the issue.
The presidency is meaningless. America's best days are long behind us. It's the culture of life vs. the culture of death.
Geeze, tune the hell in or you'll miss the real show.
Florida is the first CLOSED primary where only Republicans can vote. Rick should stay in because this is the first test with only conservative voters.
I fully support Santorum in 2020... quit now Rick.. agree to be VP in Gingrich administration...keep your voice out there and gear up for 2020... Conservatism must be preserved !!
Since he’s working on a shoestring anyhow, the lack of money won’t force him out quite yet. But he’ll be ineffective at drawing new money into his coffers after tonight, and the inevitable will happen. It would be a tribute to his character if he realizes that in time to help Newt make a difference in Florida.
If he hasn’t suspended by midweek, I’ll be disappointed because I think he’s a good man who is not driven by ego to stay in til the bitter end.
Rick needs to seriously get out next week. He has no chance to win the nomination. From here on out its a vanity run.
Not taking votes from Newt? Where do you think that 17/18% would have gone? It's time to WIN! Not "see how he does in Florida." Rick is a good guy but his run is toast. Romney is going to be in for the long haul and Newt needs the 10+ percentage points in EVERY state to put him away! It's a very risky game to keep playing "split the vote."
it’s reasonable that RICk wants to stay in. He ought to go somewhere that NEWT is not mounting a challenge and start fresh taking on MITT. Not sure where that would be. MINN? MICH?
Florida makes no sense.
Santorum lost because the establishment cheated. Allowing them to get away with it will mean conservatives have no voice in the primary.
Santorum needs to set aside his ego, put his country before himself and drop out.
I love you Rick but GET OUT!
No you are so wrong. Three people have won 3 states. All of them can compete. Let’s see. Santorum has lost two states, Newt has lost two states and Romney has lost two states. There is ZERO reason for any of them to drop out at this time. Sure I am for Newt winning the nomination but I refuse to force a candidate out of a primary that is even with the others.
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