Santorum Sweeps Three States, Moves to Second Place in Delegate Count

By Douglas V. Gibbs

My favorite candidate of the remaining four GOP presidential hopefuls, Rick Santorum, won last night Minnesota, Colorado, and a nonbinding Missouri primary that will offer up its delegates next month. Though Newt Gingrich has had his moments articulating conservatism very well, his history of being an establishment hack has turned off conservatives. Romney is seen as not much different from Obama, especially when you consider the similarities between Romneycare and Obamacare. Ron Paul is just plain nuts.

Santorum's conservatism has put him in this position. He is the only candidate that has honestly and consistently embraced conservative principles throughout his career.

I expect Santorum to do well in the central rural states, and if Gingrich continues to fall off to the wayside, it could get real interesting.

We also must remember that the winner not only must get the most delegates, but a majority. If none of the candidates reach a majority, we will have a brokered convention, of which we have not had since 1976.

Mitt Romney's chances with the Republican Party's conservative base is not only being questioned by the press, but Santorum's rise without a great amount of funding, or without a history of holding an executive position in government, has made this for an interesting situation.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Jubilant Santorum Wins Minnesota and Colorado - NewsTimes