Santorum Ends Campaign “Family Decision” He Says

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, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rick Santorum ended his campaign today from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  In a long, sometimes tearful speech, Santorum said that “it’s over for me.”  He said the decision was a “family decision” made “over the kitchen table.”  Santorum was expected to return to the campaign trail today in plenty of time for the Pennsylvania primary on the 24th.  Instead, he used the Gettysburg event for a press conference to end his presidential campaign.

Santorum had taken several days off to tend to his three-year-old daughter who was hospitalized because of a genetic condition.  This has been the second time this year Santorum left the trail.

Mitt Romney released a statement, according to CNN, “congratulating” Rick Santorum on a well-rum campaign.  Although Gingrich and Paul are still in the race, Mitt Romney will now be the GOP presidential candidate, unless something spectacular happens.

Santorum summed up his campaign using the phrase “against all odds” citing the fact that “we won 11 states.”  The math, however, wasn’t there for Santorum whose chances of winning home state Pennsylvania were iffy at best.

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The Field Narrows

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Jon Huntsman dropped out of the race this morning for the GOP presidential nomination, narrowing the field of contenders just days away for the South Carolina primary.

In leaving the campaign, Mr. Huntsman endorsed front-runner Mitt Romney.  There is no indication whether his endorsement will have any effect on the Republican voters to sway them over to the former governor of Massachusetts.  Conservatives and Tea Party voters are not warming up to Mitt Romney but the fact is that he will most likely be the Republican nominee at the end of the process because he has the money to keep on going as the rest drop off.

The former governor of Utah was low on money and in a tie at the bottom with Texas governor Rick Perry.  Although some people thought that Mr. Huntsman was the only adult among the group, he never caught on with the Republican base.

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Iowa Aftermath: Bachmann Quits, McCain Endorses Romney

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What a mess!  The Republican party is showing how fractured it is between social conservatives and party elites who just want to defeat President Obama.  Last night’s Iowa Caucus – the first election of the political season – wound up in a virtual tie between social conservative Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney, leaving all the others, except for perhaps Ron Paul, in the dust.

This morning, Michele Bachmann announced her decision to quit the race, effectively allowing the anybody-but-Romney religious right to throw their support behind Mr. Santorum, thereby increasing his numbers.  Meanwhile, former presidential candidate Senator John McCain formally endorsed Mitt Romney.

Senator McCain – in his usual headline-stealing style – chose to announce his support for Romney during a televised speech by President Obama this morning, probably hoping the networks would leave the president to cover him (they didn’t, they instead just split the screen).  This move may not play well for Mr. Romney in the general election.

One thing for sure, the G.O.P. race this year is entertaining – like a clown car sort of entertaining, that is.

The Associated Press: Bachmann quits race, says she’ll fight for issues.

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