(Image Source: Inquisitr)
 

BY CODY LAGROW

A Santorum Sweep of Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado left Republican front-runner Mitt Romney defeated last night. At least for now.  PBS has the GOP presidential candidate’s reaction.

“This was a good night for Rick Santorum. I want to congratulate Senator Santorum. Wish him the very best. We’ll keep on campaigning down the road, but I expect to become our nominee with your help.”

Now analysts are asking the question -- are Romney’s expectations too high after losing a state he won in 2008? CNN reports.

“Despite the best efforts of Romney-world to downplay the importance of Minnesota, the campaign played to win there.”

Romney tried to improve his conservative image on social issues. He recently spoke out against an Obama rule that forces religious employers to include birth control in health plans. MSNBC said if it’s not his stance on social issues, it could be independent voters’ view of the former Massachusetts governor.

“What’s his problem right now? Independents viewing him more negatively. And even Republicans viewing him more wounded over Bain and other of these wealth issues. That’s what he has to consolidate and he’s got time to that."

Santorum showed strength in middle America last night. But the New York Times says Romney’s triple defeat exposed a disconnect to the Midwest.

“As the campaign moves to the Midwest and the Rust Belt, Mr. Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, might find more strength and where polls suggest that Mr. Romney might have trouble connecting with voters.”

The Washington Post weighs in and compares Romney’s Minnesota defeat to other historic elections in the ‘Land of ten-thousand lakes’.

“The rebuke of Romney on Tuesday night was right up there with being the only state to vote democratic in the 1984 presidential election, electing former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura as its governor and electing former Saturday Night Live star Al Franken to the senate. Minnesota is the new low point for Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.”

But while Colorado’s vote bound delegates to Santorum, Missouri and Minnesota’s did not. Because of that, the Romney campaign tells Yahoo! News that it won’t sweat the small stuff.

“Of course, there is no way to win first place in every single contest. But unlike the other candidates, our campaign has the resources and organization to keep winning over the long run.”

Mitt Romney will now turn his focus to Arizona and Michigan, where 59 delegates are up for grabs on February 28.  Super Tuesday follows a week later.