It's late and I have tomorrow off so I think I'll play Political Pundit and cogitate, pontificate and prognosticate on tonight's results using pithy, poetic and sometimes pointed prose.
Rick Santorum wins all three races. Pretty impressive for a wildly underfunded candidate. So what does it all mean? Does it mean anything? well for one it means that Rick Santorum is a very good campaigner and for now should not be under rated or taken lightly.
Of equal note in particular are the two wins in MN and CO. These states would not seem to be Christian Conservative friendly.MO, to me at least is no surprise as it is essentially a southern state where you'd expect him to do well. However he didn't just do well, he kicked butt in all three states. Missouri he carried EVERY county including the Metro Areas which you would think would skew towards Mitt Romney.
Why did he win? After Ron Paul he has the most consistent message of the three Crony Conservative running. It's a message that clearly is NOT crafted or tailored. Good, Bad or Indifferent he is all Santorum, all the time. You want to debate his positions? Fine and Dandy, however he knows what he believes and he doesn't bend much if at all. In my opinion voters are voting for Rick Santorum the person not the policies he advocates He resonates because people like him as a person. If you're a person who doesn't follow politics closely he is a young good looking and very earnest man. Silly as this sounds his Sweater Vests have in a way become the Nike Swoosh of Politics. Right now he's the only one with brand identity.
Sorry but image sells. I'd go so far as to say if your had Ron Paul's views coming out of Rick Santorum, the poll numbers would be through the roof IMO. I love the guy but let's be candid, Ron Paul is a curmudgeon. I listen to him and sometimes it's like being scolded by your Grandpa. Rick Santorum looks like America sees itself. The nice guy next door with a the cute wife and a house full of Yard Apes. Newt looks like the Uncle that everybody in the family can't stand but has tons for friends. Then there is Mitt Romney, Copier Salesman, the kind you count your fingers after you shake hands. Mitt is to slick and polished for his own good.
I think this is the first election cycle in a while where the displeasure voters have is real.