Santorum: Gingrich Cuts Prove It's a Two-Person Race - East Idaho News
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Santorum: Gingrich Cuts Prove It’s a Two-Person Race

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139067834?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1332949517737Bill Pugliano/Getty Images(DELAVAN LAKE, Wis.) — Rick Santorum said he understands the financial pressures that led Newt Gingrich to cut a third of his staff and to scale back on his campaign events, and said the news this evening is more evidence that the Republican presidential chase is a two-person race.

“One of the things I was told very early on in presidential politics is that you run for president as long as the money hangs on. Obviously, financially, it’s tough. I can certainly understand that,” Santorum told reporters at the Waterfront Pub & Eatery.

“I don’t know what his plans are,” he said. “As I’ve said before, we’re going to run the race irrespective of who’s in and who’s out. I think what we’re seeing is the race is clearly becoming a two-person race. I’ve seen polls here in Wisconsin showing that. We’re just going to stay focused.

“Newt’s a good man, as you know and a good friend. I just wish him the best with whatever he decides to do,” Santorum added.

Santorum, who has been asked repeatedly over the past week whether he has spoken to Gingrich or his campaign about dropping out of the race, told reporters that he spoke with Gingrich Monday.

“I was in for an interview with a group of reporters. He came in pretty much as I was leaving. He was doing an interview with the same reporters. We exchanged pleasantries and talked a little bit about what he’s up to the next few days, where he was going. He was going to Delaware and doing some things in D.C. I wished him luck in D.C.”

Asked if it’s time for Gingrich to suspend his presidential campaign and throw his support behind Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator responded: “I think it is time for all the Republican candidates to coalesce behind me. You know, let’s just have a conservative nominee to take on Barack Obama. Until that time happens, I’m not going to call on anyone to get out.”

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