Romney, Santorum Battle for Front-Runner Status

Posted February 22nd, 2012 at 7:15 pm (UTC-5)
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The four remaining Republican contenders for the U.S. presidential nomination are facing off for the first time since January in a nationally televised debate.

The debate in Arizona Wednesday comes at a crucial phase in the nomination process, with former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in a close race for first place.

Both candidates have placed first in several statewide contests, but a nationwide poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University shows Santorum surging ahead, leading Romney by 9 percentage points.

On the other hand, polls find Santorum would lose to Democratic President Barack Obama in the general election, while an Obama-Romney race would be too close to call.

Political analysts say Wednesday night's debate – which will also feature former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Representative Ron Paul – could leave a strong impression on voters in Arizona and Michigan, which hold primaries next week.

On March 6, voters in 10 states head to the polls to choose a challenger to take on President Obama in November's general election. The day is known as “Super Tuesday.”

Romney went on the attack Wednesday, saying Santorum's voting record in Congress is not that of a fiscal conservative.

Romney's comments come as his campaign is paying millions of dollars for ads trying to depict Santorum as a big spender.

Santorum says that is not true, saying he took on the tough issues, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.