Local Political Analyst Weighs in on Santorum's Decision
By: Julie Melf
Updated: April 12, 2012
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County - Republican Rick Santorum dropped out of the Presidential race Tuesday. This comes just two weeks before his home state, Pennsylvania, is scheduled to hold their primary election.
Rick Santorum made that announcement Tuesday from Gettysburg and now we can almost guarantee going into the general election in November it will be Mitt Romney up against President Barack Obama. But this most likely won't be the end of Santorum's political career.
At a press conference, Santorum told supporters he would be suspending his campaign for presidency. Santorum has been dealing with his three year old daughter Bella's genetic illness. He says that situation made him and his wife re-think their roles as parents.
Professor of Political Science at Kings College, Dr. David Sosar says he believes Santorum, that family came first. But he also adds Santorum's political career is far from over and depending on what happens in November, Santorum dropping out of the race could have been the right move for a future presidential nomination.
"He will be three years younger than Mitt Romney. 8 years from now if he still wants to make a run having done what he's done now to free up the nominations for Romney the party may very well owe him something come 8 years from now," explains Dr. Sosar.
Dr. Sosar says this move frees up the race for Mitt Romney and now Romney can start campaigning full force against President Obama rather than wasting time running against other republican candidates.
As for Newt Gingrich, Dr. Sosar believes he will continue in the race to the white house for the time being so he too can maintain political power going into the Republican Convention.
