Santorum: "May looks very, very good"

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Updated at 6:45 p.m. ET

(CBS News) CARNEGIE, Pa. -- Rick Santorum on Wednesday doubled down on his determination to stay in the GOP race even as calls grew among Republicans for his exit, saying he still thinks front-runner Mitt Romney can be toppled if he can beat him in Pennsylvania and Texas.

"The people of Pennsylvania know me," Santorum said while meeting voters at a diner here. "All of the negative attacks I think are going to fall on a lot of deaf ears. We've got a strong base of support here and we're going to work very, very hard. Then we're going to get into May. May looks very, very good."

One state where voters go to the polls next month is Texas, which holds a primary on May 29. Most of its 155 delegates are being awarded proportionally, though Santorum held out hope it could still switch to a winner-take-all contest.

If that occurs, he said, "This race becomes a very different race." However, Texas's State Republican Executive Committee decided in February not to move to a winner-take-all primary.

Other states voting in May where Santorum is expecting to do well include West Virginia (May 8) and Arkansas and Kentucky (May 22).

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called on Santorum on to make "a graceful exit" after Romney's wins on Tuesday in Maryland, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Asked if he could endure three more weeks of such talk before Pennsylvania's Apr. 24 primary, Santorum said: "I think I've endured about eight months of people saying that. Everyone has been asking me, from the days I was driving around ... in Iowa to get out of the race. I've never been the establishment's candidate, and that holds true to today."

Santorum also brushed aside the sentiments of conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer, who expressed concerns on Tuesday night that a protracted primary battle has hurt the GOP brand and damage its chances against President Obama.

"All I can say is that we've worked very very hard to get a strong, principled message out and to show the American public who's the best candidate to take on Barack Obama," Santorum said. "And, you know, I think we've done a remarkable job and have shown to a lot of conservatives that, really, that is our path."

And the former Pennsylvania senator scoffed at the notion that his showing thus far could enhance his chances for a race in 2016, telling reporters: "You haven't talked to my wife, obviously. The last thing we're thinking about is next time."

At a subsequent event in Hollidaysburg, Pa., Santorum played up his home-state connection with voters -- "I'm asking you to help out a person who has some roots in this neck of the woods" -- as well as his affinity for their culture.

"Barack Obama four years ago referred to this place as a place that holds on, clings to their guns and Bibles," he said. "You're damn right we do."

[JV1970]

I think McCain is wrong. I think the only ones who should drop out are Gingrich and Paul. Santorum still has a chance if he wins Pennsylvania and Texas and I think he has a very good chance of winning them.

[TJphoto]

Rick, I've been rooting for you all along. A religious fruitcake verses a wall street raider, I choose you. Good Luck! The outcome will be the same.

[stupidrules3]

Santorum lost the last time he ran in Pennsylvania and this one will be the same. The last great hope of the ultra right is done and he will not admit it, just like the ultra right will not admit that they are a minority.

[nearl451]

I fully expect Santorum to lose in PA. Just because the more bloodthirsty of the GOP are bored with Mitt....still nobody really likes a Cromwellian.

[elliesamericana]

We certainly hope that the also-rans continue to run. The longer they stay in the race, the more they talk and the more they expose the repuglithug party. My wife and I actually voted for Ron Paul here in Wisconsin hoping to keep him in the race, possibly even trying a 3rd party bid. That would ensure an Obama win by tipping even more states into the democratic column. Obama is on track to victory anyway, but it never hurts to stack the deck a bit. Respectfully, retired US Army Medical Officer.

[Obama4more]

Every day is like a good episode of "Laugh-In."

[nirak2-2009]

Stick a fork into Santorum, he is done!

[Jhihmoac]

Is he talking about the month itself, or his role in it?

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

Let me see:
"The people of Pennsylvania know me," that's why they voted you out and you made them pay $100K to homeschool your kids.
"Most of its 155 delegates are being awarded proportionally, though Santorum held out hope it could still switch to a winner-take-all contest" but then you do know "Texas' State Republican Executive Committee decided in February not to move to a winner-take-all primary."
When will someone tell him to just to go home and stay there for a few years!

[vsmit]

This guy reminds me of the Iraq information minister at the start of the war.

[cbsnews_viewer]

Arizona Sen. John McCain called on Santorum on to make "a graceful exit"says CBS news. We all know how well McCain did against Mr Obama.