Santorum wins in three state caucuses, breaks Romney's winning streak

India Gazette Wednesday 8th February, 2012

DENVER, Colorado - In a stunning upset, Republican hopeful Rick Santorum won in three major state caucuses, reviving his chances in the US presidential race and clouding front-runner Mitt Romney's winning streak.

Former Pennsylvania senator Santorum swept the Republican presidential contests Tuesday in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado, winning the conservative votes and reshaping the race.

In Colorado, Santorum won 40% of the votes to Romney's 35%, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich got 13%, and 12% went to Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

In the crucial swing state of Missouri, Santorum trounced former Massachusetts governor Romney by 30 percentage points. Though the vote is a non-binding primary, it has major value as it shows Santorum's support base in a big Midwestern state.

In Minnesota's caucuses, Santorum won with 45 per cent vote, while Ron Paul came in second with 27 per cent, Romney was a distant third with 17 per cent.

With the three states that went to vote Tuesday, so far eight contests have been held in the Republican race. Santorum has won in four states, Romney in three and former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich in one.

"Wow. Conservatism is alive and well in Missouri and Minnesota," Santorum said after his win in the two states. His victory result from Colorado was yet to come in.

"I don't stand here to claim to be the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, I stand here to be the conservative alternative to Barack Obama," said Santorum to cheers from the crowd.

He criticized Romney as a moderate who would be unable to defeat Barack Obama in the November elections.

A devout Catholic, Santorum has been in a contest with Gingrich to win the conservative votes, while Romney is more moderate.

Santorum's victory was largely due to backing from social conservatives who are fighting battles of abortion, gay marriage and contraception.

Santorum is hopeful his strong opposition to gay marriage and abortion will help win over conservative votes. Romney's moderate stand on the issues has not found favour with conservatives.

The next major Republican contests are primaries in Arizona and Michigan on February 28, while in Maine the caucuses will be held Saturday.

Super Tuesday comes on March 6 when 11 critical states will vote.