On to the news of the morning: Rick Santorum's big night Tuesday.
Despite what happened in Minnesota, Missouri and, most importantly, Colorado last night, Mitt Romney is still the front-runner in the Republican race for president. He still has the organization, the money, and the Washington army that will fan out beginning this morning to tell pundits and voters why Rick Santorum should scare them.
As for Romney, it's easy to explain away Minnesota and Missouri as Santorum flexing his Midwest muscles, as candidates often do regionally in primaries. Colorado is another thing altogether, and what's most notable is that in the counties where Romney did well in 2008, people didn't turn out to vote this time around.
That's an enthusiasm problem, not just a Santorum problem. Yes, conservatives will come to Romney if he wins the nomination, but their enthusiasm about it should worry all of the GOP heading into November.
The Post's Chris Cillizza says Santorum must prove he can beat a "fully engaged Romney machine." Romney has to address how a presumptive nominee could have such a poor showing in Minnesota. Cillizza, in his winners and losers column, says Ron Paul had a much-needed strong finish in Minnesota after a disappointing showing in Nevada.
Time.com's Mark Halperin says Santorum's victories will give him two weeks in the sun - and two weeks to get attacked by the Romney machine.
Politico's Maggie Haberman says that Tuesday was a strong rebuke to Romney, who no longer can argue that the press is overhyping his problems with conservatives. Also, Haberman notes that Newt Gingrich is out of money and momentum. What happens next?
RedState's Leon Wolf says the race is a long way from over.
The Weekly Standard's William Kristol says Tuesday was probably all about RomneyCare and conservatives' concern with it.
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4 comments:
The result confirms what most of us already know. We already have our President in place until the year 2016, Barack Obama. And try as they may, the GOP musical chairs pool of candidates pale in comparison to the President.
Once the Republican nominee is in place (and he will be WELL vetted), liberals will be astonished at the ABO (anyone but Obama) majority.
Sorry but the 4th branch of government will never permit the Chosen One to be defeated. Get ready for another year of "Thrill up my leg" coverage.
Santorum vs. Obama would at least be a more interesting contest before his highness is crowned for another four years.
I think TexGirl has a point. I still think Herman Cain is the best man for the job. The accusations against him, even if all were true, paled in comparison to Bill Clinton in the cheating department. And while he is too blissfully ignorant on foreign policy issues, he would have been fine as long as he had very strong secretaries of state and defense. My issue with Romney is that I'm afraid he's going to be another George W. Bush - in other words, a RINO that will do little to stem the tide of the ever-expanding government. But with Obama, we KNOW the government will continue to expand and more liberties will be taken from us.
So even though most conservatives do not like Romney, he beats the alternative and they will vote for him. What he needs to do is convince the independent voters that they will be better off in 2016 if they vote for him. Here's hoping he takes that route over bloviating rhetoric and mud-slinging.
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