Gingrich, Santorum campaign officials in CT open to Romney

They don’t have kind things to say about Mitt Romney, but they’ll take him over President Barack Obama.

Following ex-Massachusetts Governor Romney’s anticipated victories in today’s primaries, including Connecticut’s, officials with conservative opponents’ campaigns offered hope to those concerned the GOP will be unable to unite by November.

Chris O’Brien with former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum’s now-suspended campaign a few weeks ago stood outside of Romney’s campaign stop in Hartford with a sign, “Convince Me.”

O’Brien of Wolcott tonight told me he voted for Santorum but afterward called Romney’s campaign to discuss a future meeting with the state coordinator.

“Our goal is still to beat Barack Obama and there will be plenty of time to talk about that going forward,” said O’Brien, sounding a bit less critical than when we spoke outside that aforementioned Romney campaign event.

Chadwick Ciocci, Trumbull Town Council’s majority leader and the Gingrich campaign’s Connecticut chairman, said there’s a reason voter turnout was poor today.

“Show me an enthusiastic Mitt Romney supporter. I don’t think they really exist,” Ciocci said.

But, he added, “Quite frankly, beating Barack Obama is more important than anything. Do I wish (Romney) was the nominee? No. But if he is I will gladly embrace him.”

Brian Lockhart