# Santorum has dropped out of the race **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 10, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391 "2012-04-10T18:04:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/21 "2012-04-10T20:08:22Z")
Let’s hope that with Santorum out of the question, it’ll be a much cleaner three-way between the remaining candidates. Romney will come out on top of course, but it remains to be seen if anything will stick to him. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/22 "2012-04-10T20:08:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > He’s not getting nominated in 2016. He came in a very distant second in a terrible primary cycle. If Romney loses, the nominee will be one of the people who sat this year out. Romney came in a very distant 3rd in a terrible primary cycle in 2008 and it was almost universally considered his turn in 2012. It’s likely someone appealing who sat out this year will run in 2016 but it’s far from assured. I mean clearly in 2012 the Republicans were desperate for someone they actually liked the run against Romney, but nobody did. I think in 2008, plenty of Republicans would have speculated/hoped that after 4 years Obama would be in a very weak position but he’s clearly not. It’s hard to say who’ll those reluctant Republicans will be running against in 2016. I think it’s definitely possible that only a guy like Santorum will want to take the run. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/23 "2012-04-10T20:16:54Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](#): > > Romney came in a very distant 3rd in a terrible primary cycle in 2008 and it was almost universally considered his turn in 2012. Which illustrates the fact that the “turn” people tend to make things up as they go along. 😉 > [@](#): > > It’s likely someone appealing who sat out this year will run in 2016 but it’s far from assured. Assuming Romney doesn’t win, it’s pretty well assured. Christie didn’t run this year, Rubio didn’t run, the list goes on. If Obama wins, there’s no incumbent on either side in 2016. That’s much more appealing than running against in incumbent in a divided party. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/24 "2012-04-10T20:18:44Z")
Good riddance. Of course The Daily Show writers are in full rewrite mode at this minute. Thank og Dubyah made a public appearance. Lots of material there. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/25 "2012-04-10T20:21:54Z")
This could be the break the Tirebiter campaign has been looking for! ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/26 "2012-04-10T20:35:23Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > You beat me to it. 🙂 > > By not extending the race any further, Santorum has probably garnered himself a wingnut-welfare sinecure at some right-wing think tank. That’s about as much of a political future as he’s got. I’ll see your right-wing think tank, and raise you a broadcasting spot on Fox, a la Palin. With all the crazy coming out his mouth, he was never really serious about being president, only about securing a lucrative spot on TV as a “conservative” commentator. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/27 "2012-04-10T20:40:23Z")
[The word “nightmarish” is overused these days, but I think this qualifies without reservations:](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/santorum-to-suspend-presidential-campaign/?hp) > [@Southern Baptist leader Richard Land](#): > > I would think he could have a significant role in a Romney administration if he wanted to. _Maybe H.H.S. secretary?_ ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/28 "2012-04-10T20:42:11Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > If Romney loses, which I expect he will, the party’s going to have even more problems explaining why they can’t give the far right what it wants in a nominee. Nobody is going to believe that Romney lost to Obama in November because of a Santorum campaign that ended in April (and was really over even before that). Really, a Romney loss would get us a GOP Base committed to the notion that next time around they need the most really really conservative Real Conservative[sup]TM[/sup] they can possibly find…\* and\* a GOP Establishment with the time and desire for grooming someone who will \*not \*go rogue and scare the country-clubbers but who they \*can \*present to the base as this really really conservative Real Conservative[sup]TM[/sup]. In the best case for the GOP the thirst for a win after 8 years would be enough for the RW to say: \*yknowhat, forget about candidates who run “to make a point”, get me someone who may not score absolute orthodoxy on every single line item but comes close enough and who **means** it. \* That may allow the potential candidates who sat out 2012 to take a chance on running with less risk of being teapartied into unelectability. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/29 "2012-04-10T20:44:18Z")
“Romney Licks Santorum” ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/30 "2012-04-10T20:48:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [The word “nightmarish” is overused these days, but I think this qualifies without reservations:](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/santorum-to-suspend-presidential-campaign/?hp) This is only an issue if Mitt wins, which looking [here](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/2012_elections_electoral_college_map.html), does not appear to be something I am overly worried about. Now that we are down to the single combat phase, campaigner Obama will go to work. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/31 "2012-04-10T20:52:41Z")
> [@howye](#): > > This is only an issue if Mitt wins, which looking [here](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/2012_elections_electoral_college_map.html), does not appear to be something I am overly worried about. Of course. And I realize that speculation is not coming from anybody connected to the Romney campaign. Still, it’s a legitimately horrifying prospect. In the real world - despite what I was saying earlier - I guess it’s true that Santorum did his share in forcing Romney to the right and pushing the GOP primary race in the anti-Latino and anti-woman direction it’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/32 "2012-04-10T21:00:40Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Which illustrates the fact that the “turn” people tend to make things up as they go along. 😉 Its a little hard to say who the “runner up” is in a primary process, since the number of delegates you have is partly a function of when you decide to bail. Romney was a “distant third” in '08 because he dropped out as soon as it became obvious he wasn’t going to win while Huckabee hung around to run up his delegate count even though it was obvious he wasn’t goging to get the nomination. But in anycase, I think its pretty clear the GOP tends to chose someone who won a decent number of delegates in the previous previous primary. I doubt that will be true next cycle though, neither Santorum or Newt are plausible enough candidates even if it is there “turn”. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/33 "2012-04-10T21:04:55Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I doubt that will be true next cycle though, neither Santorum or Newt are plausible enough candidates even if it is there “turn”. You [del]forgot about[/del] suppressed as part of a conspiracy Ron Paul, who’ll be a mere 80 years old. I’ll have you know he has about half as many delegates has Gingrich, who swears he is not going to quit. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/34 "2012-04-10T21:16:34Z")
Just a few moments ago, I saw Santorum’s communications director [Hogan Gidley](http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Video/__NEW/n_janco_gidley_120221.standard.jpg) (who looks a little like Buckwheat) indirectly admit that they expect Romney to lose in the general this year, as he said they’re already discussing Santorum running in 2016, Does anyone know if you can keep Santorum fresh for 4 years? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/35 "2012-04-10T21:18:55Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Does anyone know if you can keep Santorum fresh for 4 years? No, you can’t. The six-years-stale version just lost to a guy nobody likes. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/36 "2012-04-10T21:29:04Z")
Good bye Santorum, and please don’t ever come back. What did he run on anyway? Porn, birth control, and the right of people to control their own bodies. We don’t need that nonsense in this day and age. So, the “champion” will now be Romney and he will lose. He is already being described as a flip flopper, the Richy Rich no one likes, the guy who is out of touch, and the man who doesn’t stand for anything. He can’t even attack “Obamacare” because back in Massachusetts he invented it. He’s already lost. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/37 "2012-04-10T21:31:18Z")
I’m just trying to picture this year’s Republican convention --possibly the most depressed and unenthusiastic crowd of people ever assembled under one roof. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/38 "2012-04-10T21:32:44Z")
Santorum expelled, Gingrich now number two. Santorum dribbles to a halt. Romney no longer needs to smear Santorum. What? It’s quite likely the last chance we’ll have to make these puns. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/39 "2012-04-10T21:35:37Z")
> [@mkecane](#): > > Come on, Newt! Make a late charge! I heard Newt say on the radio yesterday that he knows he won’t be the nominee this year, he’s only keeping his campaign active to “influence the platform.” So now it’s down the Romney vs. Paul. Bets? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391/40 "2012-04-10T21:36:20Z")
Nah, even stale Santorum is still good for jokes. My only disappointment is that Google Chrome spell checker will probably never stop flagging “santorum” as a misspelling. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorum-has-dropped-out-of-the-race/618391.md?page=3)