(CNN) – Rick Santorum participated in two meetings with conservative leaders on Thursday which focused on his candidacy, but not on whether rival Newt Gingrich should end his, sources with knowledge of the meetings told CNN.
"There was some frustration about the fact that Gingrich wasn't in Wisconsin, and if his vote had gone to Santorum then Santorum would have won, but I would not in any way say that meeting focused on getting Gingrich out," one participant said. This source and others spoke to CNN on the condition of anonymity because of the non-public nature of the meeting.
– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
Another told CNN "the opinion of many in that room was that Santorum has a definite vision and positive message that he should stick to." The participant added, "he doesn't serve himself by getting into a pissing contest. He should present his vision," the source said.
Although it was not the focus of the meeting, participants did discuss how to sway Gingrich supporters to back Santorum. One participant said "time is too valuable to waste" on pushing out a candidate who has said he is determined to continue.
Santorum met in person with approximately a half-dozen others in Northern Virginia, then held a phone conversation with out of town supporters. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, participated in the call; participants at the Virginia meeting included veteran conservative activists Gary Bauer and Richard Viguerie, as well as conservative commentator Rebecca Hagelin and Brent Bozell, chairman of the ForAmerica organization.
Viguerie, a supporter of Santorum, said he and others urged the candidate to revamp the campaign strategy. He said the candidate is "prepared to make big, bold decisions."
"To a large extent we have lost control of the narrative of the campaign," he said. "We want to change the narrative - get it on small government, constitutional issues."
Bozell said the meeting was focused on the primary and general elections alike. He considers himself a friend of Santorum but has not endorsed in the race.
"The consensus was that the Santorum message is absolutely critical to the success of the Republicans this year," Bozell said. "No, no Republican candidate can win without Santorum's message which is not say that it is the only message that a Republican candidate needs to have."
Another characterized it as a brainstorming and mind-melding session.
"It was a realistic meeting. Everybody knows what's happened. What races lie ahead. Again, it wasn't any other big agenda other than to brainstorm ideas," the participant said.
Team Santorum has pushed back over the past few days against any talk the candidate would drop his increasingly long shot bid for the GOP nomination prior to the April 24 primary in Santorum's home state of Pennsylvania.
When asked if they discussed what would happen if Santorum loses his native state, the participant characterized the conversations as "more general than that."
"It was, if delegate gap doesn't obviously close, what do you do? If Romney keeps getting endorsements, how much impact does that have?" they said.
However, the meetings – attended by Santorum supporters – had nothing to do with Santorum ending his White House bid, according to a source, despite his trailing delegate total and trio of losses on Tuesday.
– CNN's Candy Crowley, Dana Bash, Kevin Bohn, and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Also see:
Romney makes general election pitch in Pennsylvania, but can't ignore Santorum
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Santorum will lose Texas. The fat-cats in the "Orill Biddness" have already bought and paid for Mitt Romney. Texas is home to some of the major players in the dishonest and dishonorable "swift boat" club and they are poised to attack with whatever lies required.
Sen. Santorum, please stay in the race unit Tampa! The people of this nation need you and Spkr. Gingrich as reminders of just how deplorable the GOP/TP has become. Sure Gov. Romney is a great example, but you two really help drive home the message that only white Christian men matter.
Obama 2012 – Because he is for ALL Americans
It depends on how much money they are willing to pay Santorum to give up.
Nothing will derail the Mormon messiah. Our diapers are full. My wives are in the car. The dog is on the roof. Planet Kolob, here we come!!
"The source stresses that the meeting "does not have anything to do about Rick getting out of the race.""
Yeah...it has everything to do with him trying to stay in it by attempting to broker a VP nod for himself.
I hope they talk some sense into Santorun and get him to understand NOW is the time to close ranks and start working on the real election, the election to get Romney into the Whitehouse and Obama back to Chicago.
Rick, time to get out of the race. The math of delegates is not in your favor. Accept it and move on.
Just be Mitt's running-mate Rick!
Based on his OK win, Santorum WILL take Texas as he appeals to the religious redneck right down there.
best path moving forward in terms of getting conservatives to join together to stop Mitt Romney and eventually beat President Barack Obama in November."
First get a real candidate that is not being controlled by the tea party and one that has ideas for the middle class. otherwise its Obama 2012
America can't afford Obama. Its that simple....
Republicans are just silly since President Obama won. Just silly and out of control.
@ anagram_kid: Obama is not for me.
Please...please remain in the race!!! Been a deomcrat since i was able to vote when i came to this country from Itlay,but now i believe that the ideas and integrity are what this country needs now!!!
Of COURSE Rick Santorum thinks he should keep running even though he has ZERO chance of getting nominated. He also thinks invisible people in the sky talk to him in his head. His grip on reality is loose at best.
And on that day, the Legion of Doom was formed.
The GOP has already caused enough damage to themselves. Santorum quitting now will show how bad the GOP really is, especially because of their hateful right wing rhetoric
Well, I'm sure Rich will go with his heart on this matter. Ahem...I mean create a fictious story.
Santorum is willing for the R's to lose for the sake of his unfounded ego trip.
Looks like Rich Willard (Mitt) is going to take the White House in storm. He does not worry about the poor, they do not vote anyway, even if you give them a free ride. Just leave them behind for not voting. His dream cabinet will be Santorum, Gingrich, Palin, and that other person from Wisconsin with the new budget. Oh, and do not forget the Hispanic from Florida. What a lovely team! We need these guys!
I'd vote for Ron Paul way before I'd vote for Rick Santorum ... and that says something.
Let the fools keep it up and keep Romney from taking his campaign to the president, the dems are loving Santorum, Paul and Newt right now.
Conservatives have been trying to undermine the President since he took office, so it's not shocking to see they are trying to undermine Romney. If Romney brings him on as a running mate, after all of this, it's 100% apparent Mittens will say and do anything to win the election.
Don't trust him for one second. Have seen his real colors showing and they ain't pretty. Actually kinda scary. Someone please get him a taxi ride home. Quicker the better !
Time to get out, Rick