Sunday morning political rewind

LIN TV News

John Perry, Digital Media Political Producer

Updated: Feb 19, 2012 5:49 PM

(LIN) – Election 2012 continues towards the next two prizes, Arizona and Michigan.

While the four hopefuls will be in Arizona for a debate Wednesday night, Michigan has the makings to be the center of the storm.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., is enjoying a meteoric rise in the polls stemming from his three-state sweep in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota. He is going head-to-head with former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., whose father governed the state from 1963-1969.

If Santorum could steal Michigan from Romney, pundits argue it would be quite a blow to the Romney campaign.

On the other hand, if Romney wins Michigan, it could be the ticket for him to get back on track.

As the two men prepare to collide, fellow GOP presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., provided some insight Sunday as to what to expect. In the early campaign cycle, Gingrich and Romney have a history of going against each other.

In Iowa, Gingrich was met with about $4 million in advertising from a Romney Super PAC which slowed down his momentum. In South Carolina, helped by some strong debates, Gingrich was able turn the tables on Romney and emerge victorious. In Florida, Gingrich again fell victim to the Romney machine and was outspent heavily.

 “There were millions of dollars of Romney ads,” Gingrich said of his matchup with Romney in the Sunshine State. “In Florida, we were outspent five to one… I assume they’re going to throw the kitchen sink at Santorum.”

Gingrich plans to ignore Michigan and focus his campaign towards Arizona as well as the Southern states. He has the benefit of former presidential candidate and businessman Herman Cain at his side, a conservative favorite who endorsed him recently.

As the three candidates compete for support, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, could be the wildcard. Though he’s yet to officially win a state contest, don’t count him out yet. He can compete financially and can claim an ardent following.

“The bottom line is who can get the delegates,” he said Sunday."I am shocked at our turnouts. Something very special is going on."

Paul also leveled some criticism at Santorum.  “He wants to control people’s social lives…at the same time he voted for Planned Parenthood. He’s got an atrocious voting record."

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