Romney sweeps, turns his attention on Obama. Wither Newt?
FOX News:
Mitt Romney swept Tuesday’s five Republican primaries, all but eliminating any remaining doubt that he will be the Republican candidate to face President Obama in November — though closest rival Newt Gingrich remains in the race for now.
Romney, who for weeks has been turning his campaign’s focus toward the general election, continued to refine his pitch for ending Obama’s presidency after one term.
“Everywhere I go, Americans are tired of being tired, and many of those who are fortunate enough to have a job are working harder for less,” Romney said from Manchester, N.H., near where he started his campaign in June. “To all of you, I have a simple message: Hold on a little longer. A better America begins tonight.”
Some analysis were speculating that Gingrich might have a shot to come in a close second in Delaware, but it was not close at all (see the
results below). Others fretted that Romney might be damaged if he didn’t do well in Pennsylvania or one of the other states. He did well in all of them.
Where does Gingrich go from here? He would have made an excellent president and a fascinating candidate, but he does not have a chance now. Is his best play really to stick it out? He still has a career ahead of him, but he may have done himself some damage by staying in this as long as he has. He has great value to add to the movement; hopefully his next moves will maximize that value and that potential.
| Candidates |
Votes |
Percent |
| Romney |
39,763 |
67.4 |
| Paul |
7,940 |
13.5 |
| Gingrich |
6,054 |
10.3 |
| Santorum |
4,046 |
6.9 |
| Candidates |
Votes |
Percent |
| Romney |
16,143 |
56.5 |
| Gingrich |
7,741 |
27.1 |
| Paul |
3,017 |
10.6 |
| Santorum |
1,690 |
5.9 |
| Candidates |
Votes |
Percent |
| Romney |
95,838 |
62.4 |
| Paul |
24,054 |
15.7 |
| Gingrich |
19,841 |
12.9 |
| Santorum |
13,749 |
9.0 |
| Candidates |
Votes |
Percent |
| Romney |
463,960 |
58.0 |
| Santorum |
146,723 |
18.3 |
| Paul |
105,340 |
13.2 |
| Gingrich |
83,781 |
10.5 |
| Candidates |
Votes |
Percent |
| Romney |
9,157 |
63.2 |
| Paul |
3,462 |
23.9 |
| Gingrich |
878 |
6.1 |
| Santorum |
823 |
5.7 |
| Candidates |
Votes |
Delegates |
| Romney |
5,216,795 |
838 |
| Santorum |
3,375,788 |
267 |
| Gingrich |
2,402,278 |
141 |
| Paul |
1,334,178 |
88 |
