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Analysis: Upcoming GOP Primaries Are 'Must-Wins' For Santorum

By Larry Kane

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Time is now a critical factor in Campaign 2012.

Illinois was a crushing win for Mitt Romney, and it leaves Rick Santorum still running against the odds.

But the next two election days hold some promise for Santorum.  He should do well in Louisiana on Saturday, and Wisconsin is his for the taking on April 3rd.  But both are now "must wins" for Santorum.

And now, time is on no one's side.  After April 3rd, there is no primary till Pennsylvania and New York on April 24th. This means that Romney needs everyone else to pull out of the race in order for him to win it before June.

A capitulation is unlikely, but if Romney can pull off a win in Pennsylvania against the former Pennsylvania senator, Santorum's dream may fall to pieces.

For now, this election is leaning toward Romney.  But now time is the question mark, and so is Newt Gingrich's plan to win -- which is vague, to say the least.

 

 

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