Posted on 12/04/2011 12:32:18 PM PST by Joe 6-pack
Verona, PA – Friday evening, during an appearance on Fox News Channel's "On the Record" with Greta Van Susteren, Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum challenged former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to a “Lincoln-Douglas” style debate in Iowa. The debate challenge was issued after former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney refused to debate Gingrich in a Human Events/RedState debate in Washington, DC.
Senator Santorum said: “Newt’s been campaigning on doing Lincoln-Douglas style debates and I think it’s a great idea - Count me in. The voters deserve more than 60 second sound bites, they deserve substance and real solutions to the problems facing our nation. This will be a great opportunity for the people of Iowa to learn more about us, our records, and our vision for America. Newt and I have been friends for 20 years, so this will be fun. Game on.”
Mike Biundo, Santorum Campaign Manager, said: “Speaker Gingrich is an ideas politician, but that doesn’t mean all his ideas are good – an individual mandate for health care, amnesty for illegal immigrants, and Wall Street bailouts align closely with Barack Obama. Senator Santorum is a conviction candidate who has a record of consistent conservative successes, and he will put that record and his vision for a brighter America up against anyone.”
Actually, I'm not sure the voters deserve that, but I certainly think Sen. Santorum does....
A common virtue among America's Founders was a passion for liberty, and the understanding that individual liberty is a gift from the Creator, not a grant from other human beings, whether a slave master, a king, a dictator, or an elected president, congressmen, or even a judiciary in a government.
The Year 2012 may determine whether America's founding truths--as "encapsulated" (Lincoln) in her Declaration of Independence and structured into a form of self-government by her Constitution--will survive for future generations.
The only real antidote to lies is truth.
Lies about the legitimate role of government must be countered with the "self-evident" truth embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the structure of government provided by the Founders' Constitution.
That is why any candidate who aspires to become the anti-Obama candidate must arm himself/herself with the weapon of truth, as revealed in those two documents.
Ronald Reagan's real strength and authenticity lay in his deep understanding of the principles and ideas of America's Founders. This meant that somewhere along the line he had studied the writings and underlying documents by which liberty was obtained.
His easily-delivered cautions about limited government were not "talking points" or platform-based recitations. Those cautions came out of a mind and heart that were in sync with Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and the other geniuses who structured the limited government of the U. S. Constitution to protect liberty, and to bar tyrants from oppressing the people.
Reagan's eloquent speeches about a "shining city" were not mere high-sounding rhetoric, they were about deeply-held beliefs, founded in understanding of and devotion to ideas.
The 2012 candidate cannot go to combat with charisma, with popularity, with attractiveness, with rhetoric, or with popular semantic trickery. Liberty is too important to be entrusted to such a candidate.
That candidate cannot go to combat with only a shallow, second-hand knowledge of Ronald Reagan's words and ideas.
That candidate, in order to counteract the Left's attack on the Republic, must care enough to seclude himself/herself for whatever period it takes to immerse himself/herself in the ideas, writings, and speeches of the Founders of America.
Such a candidate will be able to knock down, one by one, the false and counterfeit ideas of his/her opponents.
The threats to liberty are too great, and rescue from the certain demise of the Republic rests on an "enlightened" citizenry, one that can distinguish between truth and error, between individual freedom and slavery to government, and between liberty and tyranny.
Any candidate up to the task of leading America back to the path to liberty (see Jefferson's First Inaugural) should be willing to do what it takes to arm himself/herself for that task.
Obama, with his clever political pandering, his shallow understanding of our Constitution's underlying premises, and his devotion to coercive "redistributionist" ideas will not be a successful combatant with such a well-informed candidate. He can, however, prevail over a person who only understands 20th and 21st Century talking points about cutting spending and limiting the size of government.
Who will come forth to do battle for liberty?
This should be good. Santorum should ask Newt why he decided to join the Catholic Church and then break with traditional Church doctrine by claiming that life does not begin at conception.
Gingrich has one coming up Dec. 12 with Huntsman.
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2011-2012-primary-debate-schedule/
Good. That will make him look even more petty when he declines to debate Santorum.
SANTORUM CHALLENGES GINGRICH TO “LINCOLN-DOUGLAS” STYLE DEBATE - Awaiting Reply
“Awaiting reply.”
I’m sure they are trying to stop laughing. It might be a while.
“Newt allied himself with Ronald Reagan to build the Reagan Coalition, the Religious Right, and the Republican majority (together the Reagan Revolution) which directly led the downfall of the Soviet Union, the Contract with America, government reforms, less government, tax cuts, a balanced budget, and the great, long-standing Reagan economy.” - Jim Robinson
How many candidates we got that have done this?
They aren’t talking about the weather…
Either that or the staff is out lining up Newt's next wife.
Thanks for the threadbumps. I’m sure the MSM won’t report on Santorum’s challenge because it will make Newt look bad when he declines. I appreciate your help in keeping the matter visible :-)
Santorum does have one quality that John McCain also had in the last election...he’s dull, very dull.
“Actually, I’m not sure the voters deserve that, but I certainly think Sen. Santorum does....”
I agree. I’d also like to see Senator Santorum ask Speaker Gingrich three questions:
1. Why do you choose implantation instead of conception as the beginning of life?
2. Why would you approve abortion for incest/rape if this means killing a human being?
3. Do you accept the Teaching Magisterium of the Catholic Church? Those who want to have authority must understand its importance, right?
Then the fresh and dynamic Newt should have no problem trouncing him in a debate, right?
This turns things around on Newt. What will he do?
He’ll do the smart political thing and not bother with Santorum at this time.
Thread bumps? You suffer delusions of adequacy.
LOL...thanks again!
I keep saying a need a candidate who is bold and brave. This is a good move by Santorum. I could cast a vote for him. I’d like to see him challenge Newt in this marvelous style of debate.
I don't think that works if Newt wants to make any hay out of Romney's refusal to debate.
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