Chris Carlson / AP Photo
Rick Santorum, riding high off projected victories in the Minnesota caucuses and Missouri primary and a strong early showing in Colorado (he would later win), rallied supporters Tuesday night. “Mitt Romney has the same positions as Barack Obama,” Santorum said flanked by his top super-PAC donor Foster Friess. “I stand here to be the conservative alternative to Barack Obama.” That wasn’t all: Santorum said Obama “thinks he’s smarter than you.” He went on to say that he cares about the rich, the poor, and 100 percent of America. Take that, Mitt. It was an all-star evening for Santorum as he locked up Minnesota, Missouri, and Colorado. Romney, who struggled in all three contests, downplayed the importance of the Missouri caucus, saying Tuesday morning that it is “strictly a beauty contest.” Speaking from his campaign headquarters in Denver as Colorado's results came in, Romney stressed his experience in the private sector and said the Republican party will unite in November to defeat President Obama.