Decision 2012: Romney's Competitors Not Deterred By Super Tuesday Results
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Mitt Romney's allies are trying to push his rivals out of the presidential race, but with the former Massachusetts governor's less than overwhelming hold on the delegate count after Super Tuesday, his competitors say they are staying in the fight, no matter the consequences. NY1's Josh Robin filed the following report. Mitt Romney is resting up in Massachusetts. He needs it, as the quick win for the nomination he hoped for is morphing into a long slog. Even his endorsements are coming with big caveats.
"It's hard for blue collar families like mine to identify with him. It's hard for economic conservatives to identify with him. He needs to do more to reach out to Latinos," said former Governor George Pataki on Fox News. "But I think he has to focus on that and on defeating President [Barack] Obama as opposed to winning the next primary."
The former Massachusetts governor tried to appear calm, calling himself the eventual nominee, whenever that may be.
"Obviously we have a very strong lead in delegates, a very strong lead in terms of the number of people who've actually voted for our campaign," Romney said on CNBC.
His supporters are clearer, saying Romney's lead of about 200 delegates over former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is basically insurmountable.
Not surprisingly, Santorum disagreed with Romney as he campaigned in Kansas.
"That person here in Kansas is probably the better of the two to make that case," said Santorum. "We have to do well here in Kansas. No, we have to win here in Kansas and win big."
Santorum very well might when Kansans caucuses on Saturday, but his problem has been splitting the conservative vote with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who also says he is not bowing out.
Stumping ahead of Alabama's primary on Tuesday, Gingrich poked at what he calls Santorum's "go along, get along" style when he represented Pennsylvania in Washington.
"And I would say with all respect to my friend from Pennsylvania, Senator Santorum, there is a big difference between being a good team member and changing the game," said Gingrich. "I'm not going to Washington to be a good team member. I'm going to Washington to change Washington."
The numbers suggest it will actually be Romney who gets the nomination. But in the Republican race, one can never be too sure.