Will any of the remaining candidates in the Republican race for the presidency drop out between now and the August GOP convention? Don’t bet on it!
This will be one of the most hotly contested and drawn out races in political history, mostly because of the great dysfunction within the Republican ranks. The race is still incredibly knotted, but why? Why do the remaining 4 men seem hunkered down and not ready to succumb to the perceived nominee? Here’s why:
Mitt Romney is just hanging on and counting down the clock to the convention, hoping he can ride his presumed front runner status all the way to the nomination.
Newt Gingrich is not going anywhere, because he recognizes there is a large contingency of conservative Republicans who simply don’t like or trust Romney (or his Mormon faith). So Newt is counting on them coming over to his side in the 11th hour as a last ditch “Anybody But Romney” move. He could also take a large legion of delegates to the convention with him, which he could then wield to his advantage.
Rick Santorum is sort of the Gingrich “understudy.” Gingrich has a very sordid past, both personally and professionally. Some juicy tidbit from Gingrich’s past could come along any day and completely destroy his chances for the presidency. So it pays for Santorum to hang around, ready to step into the “Anybody But Romney” slot should some Gingrich scandal force him out. Sources say Santorum is also not opposed to becoming the vice-presidential nominee behind Romney or Gingrich, so there’s no need for him to flee.
Ron Paul knows he will never be president and it’s possible he doesn’t really want to be. So expect him to hang around to soak up the attention and trumpet his pet platform ideas. He’s also angling for a prime time speaking slot at the convention.
So there appears to be no real reason for any of the 4 remaining candidates to drop out and make it a 3 man race. They each have a vested interest in staying on, so buckle your seat belts because it looks like we’re in for an extended ride!
"This will be one of the most hotly contested and drawn out races in political history, mostly because of the great dysfunction within the Republican ranks. "Uh-huh. And contrary to the GOP's spin that a protracted drawn out nomination contest will, in the end, be a "good thing" for the eventual winner (meaning Romney), make him "a better candidate to go up against Obama" …..NOTHING could be further from the truth. This whole contest thus far has been nothing short of a disaster for the GOP in general and Mitt Romney in particular. Other losers include evangelical christianists and the so-called "Tea-Party Movement" which has shown itself to be moreso a manufactured bit of political drama than an actual conservative/libertarian grass-roots movement. Btw: As regular readers know, I'm not into polls. But if predictions hold up, it could be a good day for Santorum(?) PPP: "Big Day for Santorum?"Rick Santorum could be headed for a big day in today's contests in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri. Missouri looks… Read more »