With Super Tuesday just around the corner, we’re beginning to see some interest in Georgia’s presidential preference primary. Why? Well, Newt Gingrich’s campaign is starting to come apart at the seems and Rick Santorum, a former Senator that lost his bid for re-election in 2006 by 18 points, is picking up momentum.
Conservatives have, throughout the primary, shifted from whichever candidate deemed to be the most “pure”; which is why you’ve heard the term “Flavor of the Month” so much during this election season. They started with Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, who has largely been a backbencher during her time in Congress. But when Texas Gov. Rick Perry got in the race, he picked up much of her support. After a series of gaffes and poor debate performances, Perry lost his support to Herman Cain.
Cain’s rise was strange. He had a way with words that captured conservatives, but his campaign was based on gimmicks and parlor tricks and his lack of experience in politics or even basic understanding of foreign policy were too much. But in the end, that wasn’t what made his candidacy toxic.
Despite being the conservative alternative to John McCain in 2008, Mitt Romney has largely been shunned during this cycle by many of the same people that previously backed him. This can best be attributed to RomneyCare, which would serve as the blueprint for ObamaCare; though that’s puzzling since RomneyCare was a well-known part of Romney’s record four years ago. But that’s a post for another day.
Gingrich is now the frontrunner in his home state; however, it’s clear that Santorum (seriously, GOP?) is gaining support in the state. Here is a look at the polls in the Peach State via Real Clear Politics:
| Poll | Gingrich | Santorum | Romney | Paul | Cain |
| Landmark (2/9) | 35% | 26% | 16% | 5% | – |
| SurveyUSA (2/1-2) | 45% | 9% | 32% | 8% | – |
| Mason-Dixon (12/12-14) | 43% | 1% | 21% | 4% | – |
| Insider Advantage (12/8) | 54% | 2% | 12% | 6% | – |
| SurveyUSA (12/6-7) | 65% | 1% | 12% | 5% | – |
| Insider Advantage (10/3) | 17% | – | 10% | 5% | 41% |
I’d still put my money on Gingrich winning Georgia, but it’s clear that he’s in trouble, even in his home state. Super Tuesday was supposed to be when his campaign regained its footing. If he’s struggling here, you know it’s worse elsewhere.
