Romney & Santorum: Take this CNN Debate and Shove It

It was scheduled in one Super Tuesday state, too close to Super Tuesday itself. So, it’s not happening.

CNN canceled its March 1 Republican presidential debate on Thursday after three of four candidates declined to participate, citing busy campaign schedules leading to Super Tuesday on March 6.

“Mitt Romney and Ron Paul told the Georgia Republican Party, Ohio Republican Party, and CNN Thursday that they will not participate in the March 1 Republican presidential primary debate,” CNN said in a statement. “Without full participation of all four candidates, CNN will not move forward with the Super Tuesday debate.”

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum also said he would not participate, leaving only former House Speaker Newt Gingrich committed to attending.

CNN cites Paul in its statement, but from what I’ve heard it was Romney’s and Santorum’s decision that really drove the cancellation. Canceling this debate may wreck Gingrich’s last chance at the Lazarus act. If he doesn’t do well on Super Tuesday and can’t count on anything happening in Texas until at least the end of May, it’s hard to see how he topples the sanctum Santorum.