[Mariner]

This is Romney betting that all of Newt's support will flow to him. He might be right.

I believe Santorum's support in the GOP electorate tops out at about 50% and his core constituency of Values Voters First is closer to the 30-40% range.

If it comes down to Romney and Santorum only I believe Romney will win the nomination.

The wild card is Ron Paul...he may make it a 33% race all around. I believe 1/2 of Newts' supporters will go to Paul.

Either way we're likely looking at a brokered convention and a M A D race to find a unifying candidate.

Under that scenario I can see only Palin and Gingrich being able to win a majority of free delegates...maybe not even Gingrich.

[cookcounty]

"This is Romney betting that all of Newt's support will flow to him. He might be right."

Nope. Dead wrong. I don't know a single Newt supporter that has Romney as #2 choice. And I know a LOT of Newt supporters.