Romney suspends attacks on Santorum in PA

It's a rare thing in politics today to see one candidate forfeiting an opportunity to capitalize in respect of their opponent.  But that's what seems to be taking place in Pennsylvania today.  GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum's daughter is ill and has been admitted to the hospital.  But instead of using the time Santorum is off the campaign trail to his advantage, Mitt Romney has decided on a temporary cease fire:

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign told stations across Pennsylvania to pull until further notice a television ad targeting fellow Republican candidate Rick Santorum because Santorum's daughter is ill. The ad was slated to begin airing this morning.

The $2.9 million ad buy, slated to run in Philadelphia, Erie, Scranton and Altoona, was set to begin today with a spot focusing on Santorum's record as a senator from Pennsylvania and his loss in 2006.

"We have done this out of deference to Sen. Santorum's decision to suspend his campaign for personal family reasons," said Andrea Saul, Romney spokesperson. "We have instructed stations this morning to pull the current ad ASAP and until further notice. "

The Santorum camp announced suspension of its campaign Friday.  Santorum's daughter, Bella, suffers from a condition known as Trisomy 18, a rare genetic disorder.  The former Pennsylvania senator stepped away from his presidential campaign to spend time with her today and is scheduled to pick things back up tomorrow.