Ron Paul Winning Delegates With Santorum Support Coalition

With the suspension of Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign, mainline Republicans immediately began reporting that the race was over, and that Mitt Romney was the GOP nominee for the presidency. But Romney supporters may have started celebrating prematurely. If recent events are any indication, Ron Paul is a dangerous competitor.

First, Rick Santorum’s supporters have begun uniting with Paulistas on an anti-Romney slate at state conventions. Bolstered by this arrangement, Ron Paul is gathering large numbers of delegates even in states where he performed poorly in the initial voting. In Colorado, a state where Paul came in last place, a Paul/Santorum “Conservative Unity Slate” has captured the plurality of delegates, with Ron Paul leading the coalition. In addition, the Paul/Santorum alliance removed Romney supporter Ryan Call, Colorado State Party Chairman, from his seat as Delegation Chairman, as well as placed two of its own members on the state’s Rules Committee.

Similarly, in Minnesota, three district conventions were held, with Ron Paul winning every delegate. Much is also suspected in Missouri. And in states where Paul performed well, the effects are predicted to be even more dramatic.

Second, Ron Paul has the best chance to win over Evangelicals and even more Santorum supporters, as seen in events past and present. Remember that it was Ron Paul who won the Evangelical Values Voters Summit straw poll back in October of 2011. And recently, Paul declared his willingness to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, symbolizing the city’s status as de facto capitol of the Jewish state. Moves like these help Ron Paul grab the support of Evangelicals reluctant to vote for Romney, a “Massachusetts moderate” and Mormon.

Finally, a recent poll by Rasmussen shows Ron Paul as the only candidate capable of beating Barack Obama. Republicans focused on removing Obama from office would be wise to support the candidate who stands out as truly different from the president. Unlike Romney, Ron Paul is not a “moderate” but rather a refreshingly sincere figure whose third-party style rhetoric is something so many Americans have been waiting for.

Onwards to Tampa!