Mitt Romney's mouth says it's over, but his schedule disagrees (Darren Hauck/Reuters)
Last night, Mitt Romney won three contests, virtually all the delegates, didn't mention any of his primary opponents in his Wisconsin victory speech, and had his campaign essentially
declare victory in the Republican primary.
"Mitt is well on his way to the nomination. And given the sudden increase in excuses and blame from President Obama, it's apparent President Obama's team is aware of that as well," Romney's press secretary Andrea Saul wrote in a mass email with the subject heading "It's on."
An anonymous aide put it
more bluntly, saying Rick Santorum's campaign is dead.
One Romney adviser on Tuesday said the night’s results “reinforces the current narrative as to any rational chance of changing the ultimate outcome” and will further dilute Santorum’s remaining support.
It's basically impossible to argue with that conclusion—Romney doesn't yet have the delegates he needs, but nothing short of a major scandal could stop him at this point. But given that reality, check out where Romney is campaigning today and tomorrow:
Romney is not conceding Santorum his home state. The campaign has stops planned in the Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Scranton areas on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Subsequent states and voters can figure out for themselves where this is headed,” the adviser said. “We will have a very good day on April 24. No matter what the Pennsylvania results are, we will win significant shares of delegates, including some from Pennsylvania.”
If you're scratching your head, you're not alone. Based on what the numbers look like and what Romney's aides are saying, it doesn't matter whether or not Romney wins Pennsylvania—he's got the nomination locked down. Making a big deal about it doesn't make sense. If Romney loses, having contested it will recreate false suspense and encourage Santorum to continue in May, when he could deal Romney a series of setbacks (albeit not nomination threatening ones). If Romney wins, he'll have needlessly humiliated Santorum in his home state. Either way, it doesn't seem smart. But it does make for some marvelous entertainment.