Daily Santorum: Game on
It looks like it's going to be a looooong night in Michigan (early/absentee voting should make Romney lead out of the gate, but don't be fooled, says Nate Silver), so you're going to be hearing a lot about two things: Democratic voters and whether Mitt Romney is weakened.
If Romney wins big despite Rick Santorum's leading in the state just two weeks ago, it's game over for the ex Pa senator. Santorum will have lost sorely needed delegates and proved his record and culture war calls won't hack it in the big leagues. But if Romney squeaks out a win (as John Brabender said yesterday) or Santorum takes his foe's home state, look out. From another great story by Molly Ball at The Atlantic:
With Super Tuesday just a week later -- 10 states vote on March 6 -- anything less than a show of strength for Romney in his native state could trigger a tsunami of fresh support for Santorum.
"If Santorum wins Michigan, oh my goodness, it's Katie bar the door," said Chuck Yob, a Grand Rapids-based longtime Republican operative who supports Santorum. "I think he's going to do well in Michigan, and it wouldn't surprise me if he won."
So, Democrats. Expect the talking heads tonight (and maybe tomorrow) to be all over the Santorum camp doing a robocall urging Democrats to vote for him tonight (as Mich has an open primary). Romney called that a "dirty trick" on Fox this morning, but Santorum responded minutes later by saying, A, it's all within the rules and, B, it helps his argument that he'll be a better general election candidate than Romney. Santorum via GOP12 (source of the video above):
"It's interesting that he criticized me for attracting Democrats, because one of the things that Gov. Romney's people say is 'Oh, he can't attract Democrats.' Well, guess what: we'll wait and see."
Santorum's argument is aided by new WashPost polling showing he's doing well (and Romney poorly) with white working class voters. But expect Romney supporters to keep hammering Santorum for the robocalls, saying he's siding with Obama. And they've got a point: ultra-liberals Daily Kos have been calling on Dems to support Santorum too, as part of a so-called "Operation Hilarity." (UPDATE: Michael Moore too.)
And Santorum's own call isn't so much about appealign to Democrats as it's a red meat play for union workers, saying Romney's opposition to the auto bailout was "a slap in the face to Michigan workers." Santorum of course opposed the bailout too.
Public schedule below:
Tuesday, February 28:
8:45am ET: Senator Santorum will greet patrons of the Rainbow Grille in Grandville, MI.
Location:
Rainbow Grille
4158 Chicago Drive, SW
Grandville, MI
9:15am ET: Senator Santorum will greet patrons at the New Beginnings Restaurant in Kentwood, MI.
Location:
New Beginnings Restaurant
4415 Broadmoor Avenue, SE
Kentwood, MI
9:30am ET: Senator Santorum will appear on the nationally syndicated "Laura Ingraham Show"
11:05am ET: Senator Santorum will appear on the nationally syndicated "Glenn Beck" Radio Show.
11:30am ET: Senator Santorum will hold a "Rally for Rick" in Perrysburg, OH.
Location:
Holiday Inn French Quarter
10630 Fremont Pike
Perrysburg, OH
3:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will stop by the Rick Santorum for President field office in Grand Rapids, MI.
Location:
Rick Santorum for President
1188 East Paris Avenue, SE
Grand Rapids, MI
8:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will hold his Michigan Election Night Party in Grand Rapids, MI.All press must RSVP to Alicia Collins at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentials.
Location:
Amway Grand Hotel
187 Monroe Avenue, NW
Grand Rapids, MI
Senator Santorum will also appear on Michael Medved's nationally syndicated radio show. Time to be determined.
Wednesday, February 29:
12:00pm ET: Senator Santorum will hold a "Rally for Rick" in Knoxville, TN.
Location:
Crown College
1700 West Beaver Creek Drive
Powell, TN