Latest CNN News: Mitt Romney has survived Super Tuesday – and even took control of the Republican race for the White House.
The favorite time-and-future GOP landed at least five victories, including a Nailbiter sweat-it-out on Rick Santorum in the biggest prize of the day: Ohio.
The 10 day coast-to-coast contests, stretching from Georgia to Alaska, awarded more than 400 delegates, but all eyes turned to the Buckeye State as the hour grew late.
Romney and Santorum ran so close to Ohio a winner could not be declared for hours – but the former Massachusetts governor squeaked out a victory.
Multiple information networks called the race for Ohio Romney around 12:30
- Romney delightful after victory in Ohio
pm on Wednesday, allowing it to escape a defeat that could have shaken faith in him as the party’s nominee.
With 99% of the vote, Romney led Santorum 38% to 37%. Her margin of victory came from cities and suburbs near Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati – regions, Blitzed with ads in the last days of the campaign.
The status of Romney as the Republican front-runner has survived largely intact despite some stumbles along the way – and he built his already substantial delegate lead. His speech in Boston little mention of his Republican rivals – and aimed squarely at President Obama.
“This president is running out of ideas,” Romney said. ”He is running out of excuses. And, in 2012, it will be out of office.”
Romney grabbed easy victories in his home state of Massachusetts and Vermont to close, and hung a huge score of Delegates of Virginia – where neither Santorum nor Newt Gingrich made the ballot. He also pocketed a victory in Idaho.
Despite triumphs Romney, the Republican race long does not seem to end Tuesday night.
Santorum according to Oklahoma, Tennessee and North Dakota while Gingrich docked to an easy victory in Georgia. These victories allowed rivals Romney do it again if the former Massachusetts governor struggled to appeal to conservative party – and often the South – the voters.
Latest CNN News:“We went against all odds,” Santorum told a cheering crowd in Steubenville, Ohio.
Gingrich and Santorum has promised to fight, in preparation for next week’s primary in Alabama and Mississippi, where Romney can not do well.
“There are lots of rabbits running around,” said Gingrich in Georgia. ”I’m the tortoise. I take it one step at a time. ”
Romney, however, seems to be in control in the slog to the Republican convention. Previously, he received well wishes – sort of – from the current occupant of the White House.
When President Obama was asked by reporters on the slate Super Tuesday, Romney, and in particular, he joked with a smile: “Good luck tonight. . . . No, really. Really. ”
Romney responded sarcastically after voting in Belmont, Mass. “Do you think this was an approval?” He asked. ”I hope so, but I think not. I appreciate the good wishes, and we wish him the best.”
Romney is the candidate who marshaled resources in all competitions for Tuesday, covering the ground with volunteers and the airwaves with ads.
Romney outspent Gingrich and his supporters and benefactors by a factor of 3 to 1 – and Santorum and his allies by 4-1.
The victory in Ohio, no matter how thin the margin appears to be worth the price for Romney. A candidate who captures the Republican nomination without winning Ohio would probably not inspire much confidence in the general election match with Obama.
