PPP: Santorum takes the lead nationally

[Eraserhead]

Whitney Houston's death totally overshadowed whatever news coverage CPAC and Maine were going to get. No effect, Eraserman.

Hmm, let's hope so.

[Lincoln Republican]

One thing everyone seems to fail to realize is that Santorum has not been under the intense scrutiny that comes with being a front runner.

Once his controversial positions become  more widely known, he will begin to fade.

When it comes right down to it, I doubt very much the electorate will really see Santorum as Presidentially capable.  

[CLARENCE 2015!]

I agree- but if Romney follows thru what the meeting was about at CPAC he will not be going as negatvie on Santorum as on Newt

[Averroës Nix]

I agree- but if Romney follows thru what the meeting was about at CPAC he will not be going as negatvie on Santorum as on Newt

I wouldn't bet on it. Romney will focus on disassociating himself from the negativity, but if Santorum continues to do well, the attacks will not go away.

[Beet]

I agree- but if Romney follows thru what the meeting was about at CPAC he will not be going as negatvie on Santorum as on Newt

I wouldn't bet on it. Romney will focus on disassociating himself from the negativity, but if Santorum continues to do well, the attacks will not go away.

Romney's problem is that if he goes negative, it gets blown right back at him. Though it seems strange now, Newt could conceivably recover again if Romney and Santorum destroy each other. Plus, it leaves them badly wounded for the General. They're better of reaching a tacit agreement to limit the negativity. If they don't, its likely due to the Prisoner's dilemma.

[TomC]

Why are conservatives turning to Santorum? He is such an advocate of big government it's not even funny. If he is the nominee, then we will be seeing a coronation, rather than a reelection for Obama.

Well both Romney and Santorum want to lower taxes while keeping our massive/inflated defense budget, so...........

Right, because we are so unable to process two news stories in the same 24 hour period.

[Nation]

I agree- but if Romney follows thru what the meeting was about at CPAC he will not be going as negatvie on Santorum as on Newt

I wouldn't bet on it. Romney will focus on disassociating himself from the negativity, but if Santorum continues to do well, the attacks will not go away.

Romney's problem is that if he goes negative, it gets blown right back at him. ,

I disagree. The Republican primary electorate is not suddenly going to start disapproving of negative Super PAC ads. They work They will continue to work. It's possible that the conservative establishment starts rallying around Santorum -- like early Hillary superdelegates who switched to Obama later on. Santorum may win more states, but if he does, I don't think it's because voters think Mitt isn't playing nice.