Newt Gingrich's campaign is trying to spin Rick Santorum's departure from the race as an opportunity for a Gingrich to pick up the former Pennsylvania senator's supporters and challenge Romney once again, according to talking points distributed to campaign allies and obtained by BuzzFeed.
Gingrich communications director Joe DeSantis repeats that his candidate will remain in the race through Tampa, despite Gingrich's own statements that he would step aside if Romney clinches the nomination beforehand. With Santorum out of the way, Gingrich will undoubtedly see more supporters come his way, but the same has been even truer for Romney, who has picked up a host of high-profile endorsements since Santorum's announcement.
Talking Points - Santorum's Departure from the Race
Rick Santorum waged a remarkable campaign. His success is a testament to his tenacity and the power of conservative principles.
Though the field in this race has narrowed, the big choice facing the Republican party has not. Newt is the last conservative standing, and he’s committed to staying in the race all the way to Tampa to make sure conservatives have a real choice.
We will be working hard to convince many of Rick Santorum’s supporters that Newt is the best, most conservative candidate to beat Barack Obama.
Newt is in the race because he believes that to get America back on track, we’re going to need more than minor changes to Obama’s government. We’ll need revolutionary reforms—and Newt’s the only candidate who can achieve that level of change. He will advocate a platform of bold breakthroughs for a second American Revolution of hope and opportunity.
The eagerness of the Romney campaign to demand Newt exit the race reflects their desire to shake up the ‘etch-a-sketch’ and make conservative principles go away. But that’s a reason for Newt to stay in, not a reason for him to get out.
As voters adjust to the new dynamics of the race in the next few weeks, the big choice in this election will be very clear. There are many states left to vote and almost half the delegates left to be awarded. We look forward to continuing to fight for the conservative cause.
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