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The Spectacle Blog
The latest Rasmussen national poll illustrates two key things about the Republican presidential race: Roughly 70 percent of GOP voters are at best reluctant to nominate Mitt Romney; Romney faces a group of challengers to his right who are not in a position to take him down. But the fact that Rick Santorum went from the single digits to a solid 21 percent — second place behind Romney’s 29 percent — based on his Iowa showing demonstrates the former Massachusetts governor’s underlying weakness.
Everytime someone becomes the anti-Romney, they immediately become competitive with Romney, no matter how low their previous name recognition, how lousy their poll numbers were before, or what kind of organization they have in place. The national numbers (Rasmussen still has Newt Gingrich at 16 percent) are less important than the state primary contests, however.
Santorum has moved into the double digits in New Hampshire as well, at least according to the post-Iowa Union Leader poll. But at the moment, he is only in fourth place with 10 percent of the vote, behind Ron Paul at 17 percent and Jon Huntsman at 13 percent. Gingrich is taking 9 percent. Romney is way out in front 47 percent, 30 points ahead of Paul.
The Union Leader, interestingly, quotes a Granite State conservative activist as saying, “If it wasn’t for the Union Leader’s support for Gingrich, Santorum would have a decent shot at coalescing the conservatives, but I expect Newt will be bolstered by the Union Leader.”
UPDATE: Gallup has Santorum in fourth nationally at 11 percent, behind Romney (27 percent), Gingrich (19 percent), and Paul (13 percent). Paul is at 12 percent in the Rasmussen poll.
Wayne| 1.5.12 @ 1:35PM
29 percent is hardly a lead. Pundits like to talk about negatives. I have not seen any GOP candidate with higher negatives than Romney. That makes him unelectable.
randyinrocklin| 1.5.12 @ 1:47PM
Santorum will never win the General period!
Bob Grant| 1.5.12 @ 2:18PM
I disagree. Watch his interview with the douche David Gregory on Meet the Press. Other than the week explanation of his involvement of ear marks (let's face it, they're all guilty. Even Saint Paul), he did not allow Gregory to get the best of him. His attacks on Obama's foreign policy were impressive.
Also, watch his Iowa speech from a few days ago. Very impressive.
The upcoming NH debate will be must-see TV for all political junkies and could be a break-out moment for Santorum.
Don't be so quick to write him off.
Wayne| 1.5.12 @ 2:22PM
He shows passion, something foreign to either Romney or Obama.
Jack in Wi.| 1.6.12 @ 12:10PM
I voted the Republican ticket for president in 12 straight elections from Barry Goldwater on down. I will never vote for a warmonger like Santorum. I have been a pro-life activist for decades. You can be pro-life and shill for endless war for Israel. Or can you call 11 million Palistinians an invented people and less then Human. Sanotorum is a disgrace to us pro-lifers and Catholics. The Palistinians are the nearest cousins of Jesus and the Apostles. They are decended from the first Christians. The only Christian running in this race who understands the Gospels is Ron Paul.
Jim| 1.5.12 @ 2:32PM
Now he has a new problem. He was just endorsed by someone conservatives hate almost as much as they hate Obama, McCain. With help like that he is sure to end up on the ash pile, a place he richly deserves.
Clint| 1.5.12 @ 2:53PM
Who Is This Cat, Mittens Romney ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1wPrsEP2nc
Proud Mormon| 1.5.12 @ 3:59PM
This is pretty simple even for you smorgasboard of right-wing zealots-tea baggers, evangelicals, pro-life catholics, etc. Mitt Romney will be the next President of the United States. I get a bigger charge out of beating the GOP right than I do the Democrats.
somnolence| 1.5.12 @ 4:22PM
Gingrich got 13% in Iowa. That tells me 87% wanted someone else. This isn't a disingenuous argument. It is the same nonsense I hear about Romney, that he can't get above 25%. B.S.
kingsmill| 1.5.12 @ 4:47PM
There are plenty of Massholes (Democrats, RINOS, and "proud mormon" type moonbats) in NH to propel Mittens past 25%!
martin j smith| 1.6.12 @ 8:16AM
Mitt lost Iowa. And he has very tepid--at best support nationally--some of which is from Obama himself. There lies the problem.