Santorum exit crystalizes Romney vs Obama in 2012

US: Rick Santorum's exit from the White House race Tuesday marked a symbolic starter shot for the general election campaign, allowing all-but-certain Republican nominee Mitt Romney to turn his full attention to President Barack Obama.

Several analysts and experts told AFP it was game on in what is shaping up as a monumental battle between a challenger with the best ground game in the Republican field and the deep-pocketed, well-organized machinery of a fiery incumbent seeking another four years in the White House.

There are still nominating contests in 19 states including delegate-rich New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and California, and two other candidates stubbornly refuse to go away.

But experts agree that the Republican race has run its course, with a Romney nomination a foregone conclusion. “Romney can focus on uniting the Republican Party and running against Obama now,” said Alan Abramowitz, professor of political science at Emory University.

Steffen Schmidt of Iowa State University agrees that Santorum's departure “clears the field for Mitt Romney. At this point nothing else matters.” While he no longer needs to campaign for the Republican nomination, Romney can not rest on his laurels.

“He does need to stay active, if only to keep President Obama from completely dominating the political news,” said professor John Pitney of Claremont McKenna College.

“In 1996, Bob Dole stopped campaigning after he secured the nomination, and President (Bill) Clinton was able to increase his advantage in the polls. Romney does not want to face such a problem.”

AFP