This morning Rick Santorum proved that he is far from mastering it when he confidently told reporters, "I'll absolutely win Pennsylvania."
Um...I think Mr. Santorum just might need an intervention. Hasn't someone told him about the most recent poll numbers for his home state?
Although the Pennsylvania primary is not until April 24th, a poll conducted by Franklin & Marshall College shows that Santorum's support in Pennsylvania is waning. He now holds a mere lead over Mitt Romney by only 2 points 30% - 28%. What is most fascinating however, is that just one month ago, Santorum led 45% - 16%. This is a 29 point slide in just one month.
Support for Santorum in Pennsylvania is evaporating and he seems to be the only person who isn't paying attention.
Yesterday on Fox News Sunday, Santorum defiantly charged Franklin & Marshall College Poll director Terry Madonna as distorting these results and referred to Madonna as a "Democratic Hack." He also blamed the media and the "Romney Establishment" for mounting the pressure for his concession.
Cringe. This is getting hard to watch.
Is Santorum really surprised by this poll? Has he forgotten that in 2006 he lost his Senate re-election bid for his third term to Democrat Bob Casey by an unprecedented 18 percentage points? In that election, he was blatantly rejected by the voters in his home state. It should not come as a surprise that these same voters are not ready to fully embrace him as their future president.
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Despite drops in poll numbers, endless endorsements for his rival and growing national support for Mitt Romney among registered Republicans, Santorum has vowed to keep fighting. He is determined to press forward until the convention in August.
But at what cost?
If the polls are accurate and Romney does well tomorrow in Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington DC, Santorum's drive for a brokered convention will be more unlikely than ever. And with Pennsylvania just a few weeks away, can he really afford another loss in his home state?
Santorum's arguments are becoming irrelevant. Quite honestly, Santorum is very close to becoming a distraction.
The media is bored. Republican leadership is ready to rally and the country seems eager to look towards November. Mitt Romney is poised and ready to take on President Obama. Why isn't Santorum listening?
It is always a dangerous line when a politician stops listening and instead asserts their will on the people.
We saw this happen with President Obama and his fixation on health care reform. Despite lack of support for his monumental and astronomically expensive legislation, President Obama pressed forward. He stopped listening. People protested. People asked him to slow down. He didn't listen. Instead, he used any means necessary to get the needed votes and crammed the legislation through the House and Senate. He boldly asserted that he knew what was best for us. He was wrong and I hope he pays for it this November.
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As I said, politics is much more of an art than a science. It appears that Santorum doesn't get it. He is missing the mark.
If he continues to fight and assert himself in this Primary election, voters will undoubtedly begin to cringe when they see his spots on the evening news. It will be like watching someone crash a wedding. Although this premise was charming in the 2005 movie, politics is a different beast entirely.
Mr. Santorum, it is becoming more and more obvious that you don't' have an invitation to this "wedding." Everyone knows it except you. We are beginning to cringe at your confidence. Please reevaluate and concede while your head is still high.
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| Steven Senne/Associated Press |
It is time to join hands with your colleagues and rally behind Mitt Romney--the candidate who most Americans feel is better suited to restore conservative principles to the White House. I agree. He is.
Go Mitt!
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