Conservative activist and former 2000 GOP presidential candidate Gary Bauer today called on the Republican Party to unite behind Rick Santorum, essentially calling on Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul to drop out of the 2012 presidential race.
Armed with a poll of 200,000 conservatives, Bauer, head of Campaign for Working Families, said, “Now is the time for conservatives to stand with Senator Santorum.”
Highlights from his poll provided to Washington Secrets:
— 74% said conservatives need to unite behind one candidate.
— Of those calling for unity, 82% back Santorum, 16% chose Gingrich, 1% picked Paul.
— 18% of all respondents said it was time to unite behind Romney.
“A strong consensus is emerging at the conservative grass roots to unite behind Senator Santorum,” said Bauer. “There is great admiration for Newt Gingrich’s contributions to conservatism, as well as his debating abilities. But the overwhelming sentiment was that he could most help the conservative cause by standing with Santorum so that voters have a clear choice in the remaining primaries.”
Santorum’s super PAC has also called on Gingrich to drop out the race, essentially giving Santorum a chance to combine his support with Gingrich’s in the upcoming primaries.
Bauer continued, “Having run myself, I know how difficult it can be when you are in the arena and asked to step aside. The Super Tuesday results made it clear that there is a strong conservative majority in the GOP primaries, but that vote is divided. Tuesday’s results also made it clear that Senator Santorum has the advantage. Now is the time for conservatives to stand with Senator Santorum.”
