Rick Santorum Sweeps Deep South; Wins Alabama and Mississippi Primaries

After a victory on Saturday in Kansas Rick Santorum sweeps both the Alabama and Mississippi GOP primaries.  In Alabama, Santorum had a good turnout from evangelicals in that state to help give him the boost.  In Mississippi, it was a close three-way race with Santorum edging out Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.  Ron Paul finished last in both states.

The count is still going on in both states, but Santorum is widening his lead in both states.  I will update when the vote tally is complete.

Some thoughts…

• Rick Santorum is now poised to sweep the remaining Southern states and Midwest building further momentum.  He looks good for the Missouri Caucus on Saturday after having won the nonbinding Missouri Primary.  Illinois will probably be the toughest state for him to win, but it isn’t impossible.  Tonight he just made a very convincing case that he is the alternative to Romney.
• Which brings me to Newt Gingrich, what case could he possibly make to stay in?  He’s irrelevant at this point.
• Ron Paul who?  He’s left to playing games in Iowa which could end up hurting not only the Iowa Caucuses, but I would say his son’s political future as well if he keeps it up.  When your candidate can’t do any better than 2nd in just a couple of states that isn’t a mandate to have a voice at the convention – sorry, not happening.

Update: They aren’t quite finished counting yet, but enough where I don’t think the percentages will change much.

Alabama Primary Results (98.3% Reporting)

1. Rick Santorum – 34.5% (211,422) – 16 delegates
2. Newt Gingrich – 29.3% (179,252) – 12 delegates
3. Mitt Romney – 29.0% (177,485) – 10 delegates
4. Ron Paul – 5.0% (30,372) – 0 delegates

Mississippi Primary Results (99.3% Reporting)

1. Santorum – 32.9% (93,182) – 13 delegates
2. Gingrich – 31.3% (88,676) – 12 delegates
3. Romney – 30.3% (85,922) – 12 delegates
4. Paul – 4.4% (12,498) – 0 delegates

And for the Hawaii Caucus which ended at 1:00am (CST) right now…

With 33.3% reporting we have with 20 delegates up for grabs.

1. Romney – 32.6%
2. Santorum – 28.3%
3. Paul – 23.4%
4. Gingrich – 15.7%

Romney won the American Samoa contest which is awards 9 delegates.  Really?

Update 2:  Speeches, we have speeches…

Rick Santorum’s:

And Newt Gingrich’s:

I’d share Mitt Romney’s with you, but he didn’t speak. I guess I wouldn’t be too excited about third place finishes either.

HT: Unedited Politics for both videos.