Monday was a somber day for Republicans.

America’s beloved bumbling backwoods bureaucrat from Pennsylvania lost the good fight.

Yes, Senator Rick Santorum officially dropped out of the 2012 GOP Presidential nomination race. To quote John 19:30, as I’m sure Mr. Santorum would approve of scripture in his presidential campaign obituary, “It is finished.”

Thank God.

Let’s just say that while I appreciate Santorum’s ability to give a rousing speech without a teleprompter, I don’t agree with most of his off-the-cuff remarks.

Come to think of it, the only thing I really agree on with the man is the importance of fiscal responsibility in government spending. Besides that, I wouldn’t throw any support behind him due to his other more “radical” views.

My apologies — radical doesn’t even begin to describe Rick’s beliefs.

How about intolerant?

No, still too weak.

I guess I’d say Draconian is more like it.

Yeah, Draconian sounds about right.

Anyway, Rick is done and I say good riddance.

Now that he’s done, that will increase the probability of my dark horse winning the Republican race (Hint: Ron Paul), right?

So does anyone know what happens to Santorum’s delegates at this point? I want them to magically transfer to my candidate.

According to the Washington Post, his approximately 84 delegates from non-binding states (Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, Washington and North Dakota) are free to vote for whomever they please this summer at the RNC. However, his other 197 delegates from binding states (their ballots must be cast for state primary and caucus victors) are still required to vote Santorum.

Even though Ricky suspended his campaign, he hasn’t released his bound delegates just yet.

So what does that mean?

It means one of a few things.

For one, unfortunately, they don’t actually transfer to another candidate by Santorum’s choice, so my hope for Paul to get them can’t happen.

Additionally, that means, though, the campaign trail for the remaining three candidates is still technically alive.

About 1,151 delegates remain up for grabs and Mitt Romney has 656 delegates. If Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul stay in the race and are able to secure at least 664 of the remaining delegates between the two of them, Romney will not have the required 1,144 delegates to nab the crown of GOP nominee. If that happens, there will be a brokered convention in Tampa and every single delegate at the convention could vote for anyone.

I know — it sounds like we’re talking about the ifs and buts it would take for the Browns to make it to the playoffs this year — but just humor me.

So if GOP delegates could vote for anyone that means that everyone who started out in this nomination mess has a fresh chance to make a bid for the presidency.

Herman Cain could come back. Rick Perry could come back. Heck, even the recently deceased Santorum bid would rise from the dead.

But alas, the odds of Newt and Paul grabbing those 664 delegates are a long shot.

Which leads me to the unfortunate conclusion that — whoo — it’s difficult to say this.

Forgive me for what I’m about to say.

I wish Rick Santorum were still in the race.

Ugh, that felt dirty.

If Rick Santorum were still on the campaign trail, there might have been a chance for him to secure more delegates, thus taking away from the possible delegates that would go to Mitt Romney.

Mr. Romney, they might as well crown you GOP homecoming king now.

There go my dreams of Republican Party excitement.

There go my aspirations of not having to write in a candidate or vote third-party this fall.

Oh well, there’s always a shot of a brokered convention in 2016, right?