It has been increasingly obvious to most observers that Mitt Romney has amassed a big enough lead in the Republican primary that catching him is just short of impossible. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum surprised many in getting as far as he did, but he has now announced the suspension of his campaign.
Santorum himself acknowledged that he has gotten farther than seemed possible. He said his success was the result of a series of miracles.
According to reports, he phoned Romney to concede the Republican nomination, but did not mention him in remarks announcing his decision. The decision was made, he said, over the past weekend.
Santorum’s fading hopes rested on a strong performance in his home state – Pennsylvania’s primary is looming – but RBR-TVBR has noted reports on polling indication his support there may be weakening.
Other reports suggested Santorum was hoping to change the Texas primary into a winner-take-all contest, rather than one in which delegates are awarded proportionately to participating candidates, a prospect most thought unlikely to out of the question at this late date in the primary schedule.
RBR-TVBR observation: States like to be in the front of the primary line so the votes of their citizens will have impact on the race. Broadcasters like it for a different reason – candidates in early states are motivated to spend lots of money on advertising.
Santorum’s fund-raising improved with his standing in the race, but for the most part his campaign has been running on a budget.
The biggest impact his concession will have is in shifting Republican focus on the general presidential election. And although we have no doubt that some of the political action committees will be active between now and the campaign high-water mark after the conventions, it means as far was the race for the White House goes, there will likely be a major lull in spending until September.
