MANKATO — Blue Earth County Republicans were passionate about Rick Santorum and Ron Paul -- especially Paul -- at Tuesday night's precinct caucuses, but they were practical about the choice they might be facing in November.

Santorum looked to be a big winner statewide, and Paul dominated the caucuses held at Mankato East High School and the Maple River School in Mapleton. With 268 votes, Paul more than doubled the totals of the other three contenders -- former Pennsylvania Sen. Santorum (157), former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (65) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (32).

Despite Romney¹s weak support locally, backers of the top two vote-getters didn't hesitate when asked if they could support the GOP presidential nomination front-runner in a general election match-up against President Barack Obama.

The big contingent of Santorum and Paul supporters, though, were hoping for results Tuesday that would begin to change the perception of inevitability Romney is attempting to convey.

"Folks, we do not need compromise," said Taylor Fast, a Minnesota State University student speaking on behalf of Santorum. "We need a warrior."

Fast emphasized Santorum¹s steadfast commitment to conservative social issues such as opposition to abortion and support of traditional family values.

"We don't have to settle," Fast said. "We have the duty to lead."

Martin Langhorst, an Iraq war veteran, generated the strongest cheers and applause of the night when he spoke on behalf of Paul -- mentioning that the 76-year-old Texas congressman had never voted for a tax increase, an unbalanced budget or an increase in the debt ceiling.

College-age voters made up a big percentage of the Paul contingent, but they weren't alone in the dozens of caucus meetings held in the high school.

"I've never been to one of these before," said Paul supporter Anita Beckman of Pemberton. "Fifty years old, and it's my first."

Her husband, Ron Beckman, said Paul's commitment to limiting the scope and power of the federal government would make him the best choice of Republicans.

"I'll cast my vote for Ron Paul since he's the one candidate running who can read the Constitution the way it's written," he said.

Anita Beckman's top goal is electing a president who would repeal the health care reform pushed  by Obama.

While Romney's opponents have suggested that Obama's national health care reform is strikingly similar to a plan passed by Massachusetts and signed into law when Romney was governor,  Beckman said she wouldn't hesitate to choose Romney over Obama if that's her choice on Nov. 6.

"I'm comfortable with that," she said, hoping that Paul's positions on issues will influence the ultimate Republican nominee. "His ideas and voice will get out there and get people to start thinking more about their future and their children's future."

Dr. Thomas Drake of Mankato said making Obama a one-term president was the primary factor in his decision to support Romney.

"I'm very practical and pragmatic," the retired eye surgeon said. "I want to get somebody who can win."

Drake said he supports about three-quarters of what Paul says, but the libertarian-leaning Texas congressman has some opinions that the majority of Americans would balk at.

"Some stuff is just so far out, I just don¹t think he's electable," he said.

Gingrich's admitted marital infidelities will hurt him with many voters, particularly women, Drake said. And he isn't convinced that Santorum has enough experience to win the presidency.

Christina Cox of Mankato said she could support Romney if Drake proves correct. But she admires Santorum¹s long-standing and unbending opposition to abortion and gay marriage, and she joined the plurality of Minnesota Republicans who gave him her vote on Tuesday.

"I like that he's pro-life, pro-traditional-marriage," Cox said.

Other Republican candidates may take the same position on those issues, but she trusts Santorum.

"I don't think he's wishy-washy. He's firm in it," she said.

Gingrich appeared to be largely an after-thought at East High with no visible supporters. The Gingrich campaign had not even arranged to have someone speak on his behalf to the crowd of about 400 people.