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Romney Santorum

February 28, 2012 by · Comments Off on Romney Santorum 

Romney Santorum, Rick Santorum has admitted authorising robocalls to encourage Democrats to participate in the Michigan Republican primary and to vote against rival Mitt Romney.

Romney had accused Santorum of resorting to dirty tricks on the eve of Tuesday’s primary. Speaking to Fox News, Romney said Santorum’s tactic, which is legitimate but could be regarded as underhand, marked a new low in the campaign.

“Senator Santorum did something today which I think is deceptive and a dirty trick,” Romney said.

An influx of Democratic votes could make the difference in a tight contest. Polls show Romney and Santorum neck-and-neck, with Santorum enjoying a late surge.

After the long slog of primaries and caucuses since Iowa on 3 January, Michigan could be make or break for both campaigns, with Romney either confirming his frontrunner status or handing it over to Santorum before next week’s Super Tuesday contests, when 10 states hold elections to choose delegates who go on to nominate the presidential candidate.

Although the Michigan primary is a Republican one, America’s quirky election system allows Democrats and independents to turn up at polling booths, declare themselves to be temporarily Republicans and to vote. In other states where there are similar open contests, Democrats tend not to abuse the system.

But Democratic activists in Michigan have been encouraging Democrats to vote in the Republican race against Romney, a piece of mischief aimed at throwing the Republican presidential process into disarray.

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