It's over

The latest Gallup poll has Mitt Romney leading Rick Santorum by fourteen points among Republicans nationally.

Romney may only be halfway to the nomination in terms of the delegate count, but it seems that Republicans are already closing ranks around him. Rick Santorum's predilection for unforced errors seems to be increasing the perception that he's just not quite ready for prime time.

Santorum needs to clean up his bizarre stances, like opposing birth control in general (OK to do this personally, but only orthodox Catholics and a very few Evangelicals can relate when it becomes a political position) and opposing pre-natal testing because it might lead to abortion. Even thoughtful conservatives roll their eyes at stuff like that. But remember: Republicans tend to nominate the guy who's next in line. This year, it's Romney. Last time, it was McCain. If Romney loses, next time it can be Santorum- if he can develop a bit more polish and scare people who agree with him a little less.

HT: Drudge