Politics: One Race Is Over. Another Begins.

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Politics One Race Is Over. Another Begins. Romney may have beaten Santorum on Tuesday night, but he's already running against Obama. By John Dickerson Posted Wednesday, Apr 04, 2012, at 03:32 AM ET As a young football fan, I learned that my team was doomed once the television announcers started to thank the producers, directors, and cameramen. They could interrupt the play-by-play because nothing was likely to happen on the field to spark the magical comeback I was hoping for. The opposing quarterback, untroubled by madness or sorcery, would take a knee, and the clock would run out.  Tonight, Mitt Romney swept the primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, banking his 25th win out of 37 contests. He picked up 83 delegates to Rick Santorum's nine. (This figure has been updated. An earlier version reflected incomplete results.) This broadcast of the Republican nomination was produced by ...  Technically, there is still time on the clock—19 contests to go—and there are undoubtedly some Santorum fans in their knit caps and team jerseys hoping the game will turn around. But it's over. Mitt Romney's rivals aren't going to catch him. He is hundreds of delegates ahead and gaining more with every contest. In Wisconsin, according to exit polls, 8 out of 10 voters said Romney would be the eventual nominee. Even two-thirds of those who voted for Santorum agreed with that prediction. The only consistent foe Mitt Romney has faced in the GOP primaries has been apathy. Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum have—at one time or another—carried the banner of the vocal minority that is uneasy with Romney, but none ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Why Workers Should Have a Constitutional Right To Organize Is Science Really Moving Faster Than Ever? Maybe Not! The United States Should Follow Canada's Lead and Ditch the Penny	Advertisement
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