THE LONG RUN

Romney Preps for Long Primary

Amid calls for party to unite behind one candidate.

The GOP race is not even close to over. A member of Romney’s finance team said that the primary will probably go on much longer than originally expected, but promised the campaign was prepared to continue however long it drags on. “We’re just going to have to work a little harder, and this team will do it … We’re all on the telephone again, and we’re getting it done. It’s just going to take a bit longer,” he said. Meanwhile, Rick Santorum also indicated he is ready for a long fight. Santorum said, “This race is going to go a long time,” but he promised to “fight fire with fire.” The statements came as some Republicans are encouraging voters to rally behind one candidate. One Republican official said, “We do need to decide on our nominee. Some of these primaries are dragging out months and months and months, which leaves little time to raise money, unite, and go out and defeat Democrats.”