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Republican primaries: Santorum sweeps Kansas caucuses Republican primaries: Santorum sweeps Kansas caucuses
(about 1 hour later)
Rick Santorum has won a convincing victory in Kansas in the latest stage in the primaries race to become the US Republican presidential candidate.Rick Santorum has won a convincing victory in Kansas in the latest stage in the primaries race to become the US Republican presidential candidate.
Mr Santorum was expected to do well in the strongly conservative state which rivals Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich had left off their schedule.Mr Santorum was expected to do well in the strongly conservative state which rivals Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich had left off their schedule.
He needed to do well in Kansas to keep alive his hopes of winning the ticket.He needed to do well in Kansas to keep alive his hopes of winning the ticket.
Meanwhile, Mr Romney's campaign claimed victory in two US overseas territories, Guam and the Northern Marianas.Meanwhile, Mr Romney's campaign claimed victory in two US overseas territories, Guam and the Northern Marianas.
The victories bring him nine delegates each for the Republican convention.The victories bring him nine delegates each for the Republican convention.
There are 40 delegates at stake in Kansas.There are 40 delegates at stake in Kansas.
Mr Santorum was under pressure to catch up on Mr Romney since trailing him on Super Tuesday this week.Mr Santorum was under pressure to catch up on Mr Romney since trailing him on Super Tuesday this week.
Mr Romney won the lion's share of the 10 contests on Tuesday, taking the crucial swing state of Ohio by a narrow margin and racking up five other victories.Mr Romney won the lion's share of the 10 contests on Tuesday, taking the crucial swing state of Ohio by a narrow margin and racking up five other victories.
Mr Gingrich won Georgia on Tuesday but did not achieve the sweep of Southern states that he had hoped for.Mr Gingrich won Georgia on Tuesday but did not achieve the sweep of Southern states that he had hoped for.
The state of Wyoming completes its caucuses on Saturday but there is no formal process for translating the results into delegates for the Republican's national convention.The state of Wyoming completes its caucuses on Saturday but there is no formal process for translating the results into delegates for the Republican's national convention.
Before Saturday's contests, Mr Romney had 441 delegates committed to his nomination while Mr Santorum had 183 out of the 1,144 needed. Mr Gingrich trailed with 107 and Ron Paul, who also campaigned in Kansas, had 46.Before Saturday's contests, Mr Romney had 441 delegates committed to his nomination while Mr Santorum had 183 out of the 1,144 needed. Mr Gingrich trailed with 107 and Ron Paul, who also campaigned in Kansas, had 46.
'Conservative heartland''Conservative heartland'
The returns from 61% of the precincts showed Mr Santorum with 53% support, Mr Romney with 17%, Mr Gingrich with 16% and Mr Paul with 13%The returns from 61% of the precincts showed Mr Santorum with 53% support, Mr Romney with 17%, Mr Gingrich with 16% and Mr Paul with 13%
The Republican governor of Kansas, Sam Brownback, had attended rallies both for Mr Paul and Mr Santorum on Friday, but did not endorse either.The Republican governor of Kansas, Sam Brownback, had attended rallies both for Mr Paul and Mr Santorum on Friday, but did not endorse either.

Delegate totals

0 300 600
  • Mitt Romney
  • Rick Santorum
  • Newt Gingrich
  • Ron Paul
  • 442
  • 214
  • 107
  • 46

Delegate totals

0 300 600
  • Mitt Romney
  • Rick Santorum
  • Newt Gingrich
  • Ron Paul
  • 453
  • 217
  • 107
  • 47
See detail of all states wonSee detail of all states won
A candidate needs 1,144 delegates to winA candidate needs 1,144 delegates to win
"Since Romney and Gingrich have decided not to campaign in Kansas, we feel pretty confident that we're going to do well," Mr Santorum told reporters."Since Romney and Gingrich have decided not to campaign in Kansas, we feel pretty confident that we're going to do well," Mr Santorum told reporters.
Speaking at a rally in Wichita, he sought to liken Mr Romney to President Barack Obama while comparing himself to the late Republican president, Ronald Reagan.Speaking at a rally in Wichita, he sought to liken Mr Romney to President Barack Obama while comparing himself to the late Republican president, Ronald Reagan.
"We already have one president who doesn't tell the truth to the American people - we don't need another," Mr Santorum said to cheers from hundreds of supporters in an aircraft hangar."We already have one president who doesn't tell the truth to the American people - we don't need another," Mr Santorum said to cheers from hundreds of supporters in an aircraft hangar.
"Governor Romney reinvents himself for whatever the political occasion calls for.""Governor Romney reinvents himself for whatever the political occasion calls for."
Mr Romney has been campaigning in Alabama, which holds its contest on Tuesday along with Mississippi.Mr Romney has been campaigning in Alabama, which holds its contest on Tuesday along with Mississippi.
"Washington insider Rick Santorum is lashing out at Mitt Romney because he can't accept the fact that it's nearly impossible for him to win the number of delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination," said Mr Romney's spokeswoman, Andrea Saul."Washington insider Rick Santorum is lashing out at Mitt Romney because he can't accept the fact that it's nearly impossible for him to win the number of delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination," said Mr Romney's spokeswoman, Andrea Saul.
Another overseas territory, the US Virgin Islands, also voted on Saturday.Another overseas territory, the US Virgin Islands, also voted on Saturday.