Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum dropped out of the presidential race Tuesday, paving the way for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to take the Republican nomination in August.
Cracking jokes about his sweater vest and lauding his campaign’s effort to fight for downtrodden Americans, Santorum vowed in his departure speech to keep fighting for the values outlined in the campaign. Santorum proved to be a serious contender for Romney earlier in the race, stealing 11 state primaries and waging a close battle for Michigan in February.
Student reactions:
“I’m so glad,” psychology and criminal justice sophomore Raghavi Ravi said of Santorum’s departure. Ravi said she is opposed to Santorum’s strict anti-abortion stance, which she felt was an unfair attack on women. During his campaign, Santorum called for an end to abortion and condemned the use of contraceptives.
“I was a little surprised more than anything,” criminal justice senior Jarrod Deitrich said.
Deitrich said he was wavering between supporting Santorum and Romney before Tuesday. He said Santorum appeared more down-to-earth and straightforward, but was “a little too conservative” on social issues such as abortion.
“I was going to vote for Obama, so I’m not too torn up,” English freshman Anna Stirling said.
Now with Santorum gone, she said Romney seems like a major threat to Obama as the election looms.
“He has a chance because America is in such a bad state,” Stirling said.
Graduate student Esme Murdock said she disagrees with nearly all of Santorum’s positions, but seeing him exit the race is bittersweet. “I was happy, but not super happy because it makes the Republican ticket a little bit better,” Murdock said. In addition to his policy positions, Murdock said she found Santorum’s style off-putting.
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