I don’t understand Santorum supporters’ strategy/rationale.
By all accounts, Newt dropping out does NOT ensure Santorum can garner enough delegates to win the nomination.
However, Newt dropping out DOES make it more possible for Romney to get enough delegates.
If the number one objective is to make sure Romney doesn’t become the nominee, why then do Santorum supporters continue to insist that Newt drop out?
Let them fight it out at the convention. Or is that what Santorum is afraid of, that his support isn’t really that deep and he’ll loose there.
I think you are exactly correct with that, but if you want the federal government in your house, in your computer, in your bedroom, and in your toilet, then the Ayatollah Santorum is your federal regulations boy.
Not all Santorum supporters are urging Gingrich to drop out.
The “second choice” issue has been my concern for a long time and this poll verifies my fears. CharlesWayneCT has said similar things in the past and seems to concur in his analysis of New York Times reviews of current campaign data.
Here's my view: It's not so much that Santorum’s support isn't that deep, but rather than there are numerous “values voters” who do not realize just how bad Mitt Romney's positions have been on abortion, gay marriage, etc., and are objecting to Gingrich's past without realizing what they're getting in the bargain from the “family values” Romney. A lot of people simply cannot conceive that there is such a thing as a pro-choice and pro-gay-marriage Mormon, and the only way to convince them is to show them Romney's actual words on video in the governor's race.
Most FReepers understand how bad Romney is. Many in the Republican electorate do not.
At this point, based on current poll data, I think the only way to avoid Romney winning is for the three-way race to continue with a gentleman's agreement between Gingrich and Santorum 1) to focus on attacking Romney and 2) to avoid states and congressional districts where the other candidate has a better shot of beating Romney in winner-take-all races.
That could change, but right now it looks like the only path to defeating Romney.