The Republicans standing in a circular firing squad had now devolved into a Mexican standoff.

The Romney folks. led by State Treasurer and gubernatorial aspirant Dan Rutherford has people challenging Delegate slates of Rick Santorum pretty much all over Illinois.

A challenge from a Robinson supporter of Newt Gingrich has now seen fit to withdraw his separate objections to Santorum petitions.

Now it is the Santorum forces playing a game of chicken with those led by Rutherford.

Santorum supporters have challenged Mitt Romey’s right to appear in the beauty contest in Illinois.  No Delegates are at stake, but it would be severely embarrassing if Romeny’s name didn’t appear on TV screens as the popular vote is counted on the night of March 20th.

Think of the negative publicity that Gingrich and Santorum got when they did not make the Virginia GOP primary ballot.

The ammunition that Santorum has ready to fire to keep Romney off the ballot is unpublicized.

Rutherford’s Romney objections are based on there being too few signatures on the petitions challenged.

This post from Santorum State Coordinator Jon Zahm appeared today on the Rick Santorum Illinois web site:

Gingrich Illinois With Newt Team is for Republican Unity and Fair Play

“I have just reached agreement with Illinois With Newt that their supporter in Robinson Illinois will release his challenges to the Santorum petitions in exchange for me releasing my challenge to Newt’s.

“This is an example of the type of unity and class that is possible to achieve.

“Will Dan Rutherford and the Romney team do likewise for the betterment of Illinois?

“I hope so.

“It is not too late.

“Yet.”

Delegate candidate and Pro-Life leader Penny Pullen commented:

“I guess we know who the gentleman is and isn’t.

“Thanks, Jon and all those who helped, for securing this victory.

“Pray now for the Romney team to see how deeply they are wounding their own candidate and for their state chairman to see how he is jeopardizing his own future.”