From POLITICO’s Arena:
Question:
On the last full day of campaigning before Iowa’s GOP caucuses, Mitt Romney is working to hold on to his narrow advantage as he faces a surging Rick Santorum. A Des Moines Register poll released Saturday showed Romney and Ron Paul locked in a close race, with Santorum rising swiftly to challenge them.
Will Santorum’s surge last? How much of a threat does the former Pennsylvania senator pose to Romney’s lead?
Rodell Mollineau, President, American Bridge 21st Century
Is everyone familiar with the phrase ‘save the best for last’? This is pretty much the opposite of that.
Right now, Santorum is the reaping the benefits of being the worst candidate in the field. Republican primary voters are so desperate to nominate anyone but Mitt Romney, that they’ve literally gone through everyone else. This started with Donald Trump last spring, and since the summer has rapidly cycled through Bachmann, Perry, Cain, Gingrich, and Paul. Each of them proved to be a fatally flawed candidate once they got their moment in the spotlight.
Fortunately for Santorum, his turn just happens to coincide with the Iowa caucuses. He is also benefiting from having his surge occur in the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Assuming that the latest polling accurately reflects Santorum as the anti-Romney vote du jour, the increased scrutiny he’ll receive this week will help Republican voters realize that since losing his last election by 17 points, Santorum has been working as a corporate lobbyist.
Everyone should be ready for next week’s question: What happened to Rick Santorum? Is Huntsman’s surge for real?
Published: Jan 2, 2012