Super Tuesday: Romney increases lead but Santorum grows stronger

Underscoring the divide that runs deep in the Republican party, Mitt Romney pulled a narrow win in Ohio and has failed to score a badly needed decisive victory over rival Rick Santorum.  Romney was still the night's overall winner and has managed to increase his delegate lead. 

COLUMBUS , OH (Catholic Online) - Romney did well in his home state of Massachusetts, and also won Ohio, Idaho, Vermont, Virginia, and Alaska. Meanwhile, Santorum took North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Gingrich won his home state of Georgia. Ron Paul did not win any delegates. 

The ongoing struggle within the party is of great concern to many who want to see a Republican in the oval office next year. For those concerned, every day the Republican race continues without a clear winner drains money from the war chests and sucks time from the direct campaign against Obama. For others, it only makes the candidates stronger and shows that the Republican race is robust and not simply under the control of Party elites.

However, Republicans remain divided. For many, Romney appears to lack charisma and has been branded as too moderate, Despite this, where Romney remains popular it is because voters feel he stands the best chance of winning moderates and independents and defeating Obama. Meanwhile a strong base has coalesced behind Santorum, who is viewed as more conservative than Romney. 

Ceteris paribus, Romney stands a good chance against Obama in November, should he win the nomination. The very thing that makes him unattractive to the more conservative base also makes him more attractive to the larger swathe of moderate voters across the country. These moderates may decide the outcome of the 2012 election.

Still, Santorum has become the darling of the conservative wing of the Party. His poll numbers and popularity have continued to grow. All this despite the fact his campaign has less funding and was initially less well organized in comparison Romney's campaign. In fact, many analysts speculated that it was this initial shortfall that may have cost Santorum a victory in Ohio - Santorum did not appear on some ballots in Ohio and in other states because his campaign wasn't prepared to meet filing deadlines. 

And it is that fact that has many wondering if Santorum has enough time to woo enough Republican voters to his banner? 

Santorum is stepping up his efforts. His campaign recently announced they would spend $1 million on ads for Kansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. 

Santorum told crowds in Ohio, "It looks like we're going to get at least a couple gold medals, and a whole passel full of silver medals." Those "silver medals" and close finishes are increasing Santorum's momentum against Romney. In any case, even if Romney wins the Republican nomination, the relatively young and charismatic Santorum will be positioned to perform strongly in future presidential races, should he choose.

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Meanwhile, the primary races of Gingrich and Paul are almost certainly over, although neither candidate has signaled they are preparing to quit. Gingrich told supporters "I'm the tortoise" in a reference to the proverbial race between the tortoise and the hare. Still, Gingrich is polling poorly overall and is unlikely to win any states outside of the South. He notably lost Tennessee to Santorum on Tuesday. 

Paul, whose presence appears to be more about principle than a serious contention for the nomination, has pledged to stay in the race to the end. His budget campaign is designed to do just that although it is unlikely he will win any states.

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