What’s at stake in Tuesday’s GOP contests
(CNN) - Tuesday is the first multiple-state contest in the Republican presidential race, and there's more at stake than just delegates. A combined 70 delegates are up for grabs in Colorado and Minnesota, while none will be awarded in Missouri's non-binding primary.
But more important than the delegate count is the momentum candidates could gain or lose.
Colorado and Minnesota hold caucuses, meetings organized by the state or a political party at a certain time and place where delegates are present. Speakers pitch their candidates' virtues and voters are allowed to openly show their support for candidates.
A primary more closely resembles the general election process in which voters statewide directly cast secret ballots for candidates. Missouri's primary is non-binding, so its 52 delegates (chosen or elected officials who vote for the nominee at the national convention) will not be determined by Tuesday's winner but will be allocated through a process beginning March 17.
Colorado
Only registered Republicans may vote in the Colorado caucuses that convene at 9 p.m. ET. There are 33 delegates at stake.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won Colorado in 2008 and has campaigned heavily there. The candidate has a solid organization in the state. Another win after taking New Hampshire, Florida, and Nevada will help solidify his frontrunner position.
For former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a good performance in Colorado could hand them a few delegates and bring attention back to their campaigns.
Evangelicals are a big factor in Colorado, where Romney delivered a religious rights speech Monday, but it is Santorum - not Romney - who is known as the "evangelical candidate." Focus On The Family founder James Dobson hails from Colorado Springs, an evangelical stronghold, and he is firmly in Santorum's camp.
The closed primary could work against Ron Paul, who tends to bring independents and younger voters into the process.
The picture in Colorado looks similar to Nevada, with Romney relying on his professional campaign organization and residual goodwill from 2008, when he cruised to an easy win there over John McCain.
If Romney meets expectations and takes Colorado, it might give an idea of how much his Mormon religion will or will not play a part in his electability.
Minnesota
There are 37 delegates at stake in Minnesota's open caucuses, which begin at 8 p.m. ET. Any registered voter is allowed to participate and voters don't register by party.
Santorum has an opportunity to shine in the North Star State. If Santorum wins there it could give him a leg up against former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Santorum told CNN's John King Monday, "We feel very comfortable that we can run ahead of him in one and maybe both of the other states, even potentially win one of those states."
Santorum's first win in Iowa was also his last, and a victory Tuesday could help nudge him past Gingrich as the leading challenger to front-runner Romney.
Missouri
Polls open in the non-binding primary in Missouri at 7 a.m. ET and close at 8 p.m. ET. It's an open primary where any registered voter is allowed to participate. There are zero delegates at stake.
Newt Gingrich isn't on the ballot. No one will win any delegates. Missouri shouldn't hurt any candidate, but whoever wins will have bragging rights at the next debate despite their delegate count.
Romney hasn't campaigned in Missouri since the start of the election cycle, which gives the other candidates a chance to steal a win in this socially conservative state. Some speculate that Romney's campaign might have intentionally left Missouri open for Santorum to claim a free win over Gingrich to shift attention away from his main opponent.
The Missouri Republican establishment is firmly aligned with Romney, but social conservatives are a force in the state's politics. Those are Santorum's kind of voters, and he knows it: He bailed on Nevada last week to campaign instead in Missouri.
- CNN's Peter Hamby, Alyssa McLendon and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
- Biden eyes big win that will send checks to millions of Americans March 8, 2021 03:24 pm
- GOP Sen. Roy Blunt announces he will not run for reelection March 8, 2021 03:23 pm
- New York state senate majority leader joins growing Democratic calls for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign March 8, 2021 03:22 pm
- What's next with the Covid relief bill March 8, 2021 03:04 pm
- Georgia Senate considers repealing no excuse absentee voting in sweeping election bill March 8, 2021 01:05 pm
- Biden to sign executive orders establishing Gender Policy Council and addressing sexual violence in education March 8, 2021 10:07 am
Hilarious Picture! Thank you CNN for my comic relief today.
P.S. Thanks to Rudy, dominican mama, and others who are giving truth a reality check today. Props to all of you.
That photo put me off my lunch.
Thanks, CNN. Jeesh.
I read the article first, then happen to look at the picture... still laughing at it.
Yes, the picture indeed is really funny! Santorum look real cute in that crown.
Loved the picture. Hum wonder which will get asked to prom??? Not just clowns but sissy clowns . Love it. Whats at stake is this country vote all these clowns out. Obama /Biden 2012
Since MN is an open caucus, I think the Democrats should turn out and caucus for Ron Paul. A Ron Paul win would upset the apple cart and keep things interesting. Plus, Paul has no chance of winning a general election.
I have a picture of Obama but unfortunately I can post it here and I know CNN won't do it. It has traveled around the internet about 10 times though.
RoMONEY is the best thing that has happened to the Democrats
The fact that RoMONEY is all about MONEY and represents THE ".3"% makes him A TARGET
Thanks RoMOMEY for all the jobs you created in Canada and China through your "blind trust" at the expense of Amercians
Wait until you get the REAL facts!!!
RoMONEY is dead in the water in 2012 – but he can run for president again in 2016 – he has MONEY
love
Canada
Easy answer to "what's at stake?"
The GOBP deathcult will emerge as a mere irrelevancy to average Americans or it will be overshadowed by this year's American Idol competition.
Ron Paul is the ugliest.
Ooooohhhh! What a pretty line-up!
Picture is disgusting & crude. Would CNN even consider posting such a picture of any Democrat, let alone Obama? Didn't think so.
I had really hoped that Ron Paul would consider a third-party bid.
But the fact that he continuously aligns himself with this bunch of GOP clowns is unreal. A third-party is what is needed. A third-party candidate could very easily gain support from the left, righ and moderates. The same moderates and Independents that probably won't vote for flip-flopper Romney, or the other 2 candidates.
I have been a big Ron Paul supporter in the past – but I may not be for too much longer. Ron Paul has made a big, BIG mistake in going with the money, and trying to gain media attention through the GOP.
Apparently RP isn't running according to CNN...
",,,,,,,how much his mormonism will or will not play in,,,,,," Wake up; Nevada's population is more than 50%
mormon, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho are HEAVily mormon populated. They've been practicing, training, this voting
for years on Dancing w stars, amer idol, etc.
Why does Romney look so natural with those ear rings?
Ah, Mr. 1% has finally achieved his life's ambition, wearing a crown.
P.S. CNN, the photo is funny but kinda creepy, especially Paul.
Repubs won't even come close in a national election – They are fractured BADLY
love
Canada
America is great and it is beginning to recover from the devastating Bush years.......do we really want to let a Republican back in the oval office? Obama 2012!!!!!
American Taliban Sweeps Three States !!!