What a night for former Pa. Senator Rick Santorum. He swept all three of Tuesday’s GOP primary contests in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri.

Though the Missouri primary did not affect that state’s delegates, Santorum’s wins in CO and MN will move into second place in delegate vote total ahead of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

In both CO and MN – and nationally – Santorum benefited from the fact that Gingrich and front runner Mitt Romney have focused their fire mostly on each other. Santorum has consistently focused on Romney, and in recent days, Romney pivoted to him.

The final totals were:
Colorado: Santorum 40.2 percent; Romney 34.9 percent; Gingrich 12.8 percent; Ron Paul 11.8 percent.

Minnesota: Santorum 44.9 percent; Paul 27.2 percent; Romney 16.9 percent; Gingrich 10.7 percent.

Missouri: Santorum 55.2 percent; Romney 25.3 percent; Paul 12.2 percent. Gingrich was not on the ballot.

The Missouri results demonstrate what Santorum has been arguing in recent weeks: that in a race absent Gingrich, he stands to wallop Romney.

Wednesday is going to a good press day for the Santorum team, and will likely provide a much-needed boost in fundraising – a key if Santorum is to be competitive in the 11 Super Tuesday states on March 6.

The down side? Santorum won’t get to put his momentum to immediate use. The next contests aren’t until February 28 – in Arizona, and the Romney family’s home base in Michigan.