Apples and Oranges

It really is difficult and nonetheless interesting to compare the 2008 GOP Primary election to the 2012 campaign. We haven't yet reached a point similar to 2008 after “super Tuesday.”

We have however, finally reached the point this year where there have been as many states contested as in 2008 after "super Tuesday", a full 6 weeks later in the season this time around. We are still behind schedule as far as available delegates and total popular vote. So, I am trying to compare apples and oranges a little bit here. Like I said before, this year's contest seems designed to be drawn out. In 2008 there were several big state contests conducted on “super Tuesday” 5 February. So, the contest literally was over by then.

With that caveat, here's what I have to say today: As a percentage, Romney has won more of the popular vote (40%) to date in 2012 than McCain had by 6 February 2008 (39%). Santorum has a lot lower percentage (26%) of the popular vote than Romney had when he dropped out in 2008 (32%).