Reaction to Santorum's Campaign Suspension
By: Ben Manning
Updated: April 11, 2012
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Local republican leaders are reacting to Santorum suspending his campaign.
Blair County Republican Chairman AC Stickel, Terry Tomasetti, and Senator John Eichelberger all stood with Rick Santorum last week when he came to Blair County. They realized then his campaign was slowing down. They say Santorum needed to focus on his family and his daughter's illness, that he was going to be outspent in advertising here in Pennsylvania, and there was a real chance that he might not win his home state.
Meanwhile, National Republican Party leaders were starting to endorse his major competitor Mitt Romney. And Tuesday Santorum announced he was suspending his campaign. Now local republican leaders think its time for the party to move on and get behind Romney and focus on the General Election.
The Republican leaders that talked with WTAJ think Romney needs to name a more conservative running mate to balance out his moderate image in the party. Some suggested Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, and even Santorum himself.
The Pennsylvania Primary is just two weeks away.
Blair County Republican Chairman AC Stickel, Terry Tomasetti, and Senator John Eichelberger all stood with Rick Santorum last week when he came to Blair County. They realized then his campaign was slowing down. They say Santorum needed to focus on his family and his daughter's illness, that he was going to be outspent in advertising here in Pennsylvania, and there was a real chance that he might not win his home state.
Meanwhile, National Republican Party leaders were starting to endorse his major competitor Mitt Romney. And Tuesday Santorum announced he was suspending his campaign. Now local republican leaders think its time for the party to move on and get behind Romney and focus on the General Election.
The Republican leaders that talked with WTAJ think Romney needs to name a more conservative running mate to balance out his moderate image in the party. Some suggested Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, and even Santorum himself.
The Pennsylvania Primary is just two weeks away.
