(Image Source: CQ Roll Call Group)
BY BLAKE HANSON
Missouri, Missouri, Missouri. GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum is skipping the Sunshine State in favor of the Show-Me-State. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more...
“Eight days before the Missouri presidential primary, Rick Santorum brought his campaign Monday to Republican-dominated St. Charles County,[Missouri,] emphasizing his proposals to improve the competitiveness of American manufacturers.”
The change in strategy came just days before the Tuesday night Florida primary. So, why is Santorum changing tactics now? Politico’s James Hohmann offers some insight, writing...
“...the ex-senator is expected to focus on smaller, cheaper states that hold caucuses … He is focusing particular attention on Missouri because Newt Gingrich is not on the ballot and it offers Santorum a coveted chance to go head to head with Mitt Romney.”
Missouri’s primary is set for February 7th BUT many analysts call it little more than a “public opinion poll.” That’s because it’s non-binding, meaning delegates won’t actually be dealt until Missouri’s GOP caucus, which is set for March 17. Editor-in-Chief of the National Journal’s Hotline, Reid Wilson, finds Santorum’s tactics odd.
“Their primary next week doesn’t actually allocate any delegates. So, it’s sort of like competing in a contest that doesn’t matter, none of the other candidates are competing there, it’s curious why Santorum has decided to move there. Hard to see where his next big win comes.”
KTVI spoke with a pollster who says Santorum could nab votes from at least one group.
"Santorum wants to campaign to make a showing in order to influence the party elite in Missouri who will vote in the caucus. Gingrich just ignored it …”
But before Missouri -- there’s Nevada and Maine’s caucuses -- set to start on Saturday.
