Gingrich was 4th tonight in a lot of races, 4th, not second, not third, but fourth, behind even Ron Paul.
Clearly, if either Santorum or Gingrich drop out, the ballgame changes dramatically, and Romney will be severely threatened. Plus, the conservative left standing will get more money to counter Romney’s despicable attack ads.
If Gingrich’s and Santorum’s positions were reversed, there would be a loud clamoring for Santorum to drop out, and everyone reading this knows that would be the case. Gingrich needs to realize that his staying in is only helping Romney from this point on. If he’d have won TN, and ND, and if it had been a 3-man race for OH tonight, that would be different, but Santorum won TN and ND and OK, and is in a 2-man race for OH.
Gingrich has no chance; he knows it, and only his massive ego will keep him in this race from this point on. He needs to thank Georgians for supporting him and exit gracefully.
March 10th - Kansas (Caucus, 40 delegates)
March 13th - Alabama (Primary, 50 delegates)
March 13th - Mississippi (Primary, 40 delegates)
March 17th - Missouri (Caucus, 52 delegates)
March 24th - Louisiana (Primary, 46 delegates)
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I don't give a rip. When Newt was ahead, I was not one of those calling for Santorum to get out. Newt's strength is the South, as long as he wants to stay in, it is OK in my book.
The only one that maybe should drop out is Romney.
Newt is the one bringing out good ideas, noting history, and constitutional foundations for his policies. Rick and Mitt have both been improving their speeches by co-opting things Newt has said. So Newt is improving the discourse.
Basically each candidate should and will decide on their own when it is time to exit. Santorum didn't drop out when everyone said he was finished, so I see no reason why Newt should do so when the shoe is on the other foot.
The more delegates Newt gets, the more exposure his ideas have, the better for America-win, lose, or draw.