Posted on 12/07/2006 6:12:52 AM PST by FreedomNeocon
[snip]
Overall, 52 Republicans, 42 Democrats and one independent voted for Gates. Three lawmakers _ Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C. _ did not vote.
Two Bush allies, Sens. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Jim Bunning, R-Ky., voted against Gates, citing his criticism of the war and his view that the U.S. should engage Iran as part of a solution.
"Mr. Gates has repeatedly criticized our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan without providing any viable solutions to the problems our troops currently face," Bunning said. "We need a secretary of defense to think forward with solutions and not backward on history we cannot change."
Santorum, who lost his re-election bid last month, mocked the idea of engaging dictators and talked at length of the evils of "radical Islamic fascism." When it comes to reaching out to Iran to discuss the security of Iraq, Santorum said of Gates, "I think he is in error."
[/snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Well done, Senator, well done!
Regards, Ivan
Perhaps they misunderstood Gates ... when SecDef says "engage Iran" it might have a different meaning than when SecState says it. My follow up to Gates' statement might be "with how many divisions?" /wishful thinking, reality resumes
He surely did, and maybe there is some life in ol' Jim Bunning after all. But they are minor voices crying in the wilderness of despair. The whole country seems on a death wish to me.
Regards, Ivan
The difference between Ohio and Pennsylvania: We voted out a weak kneed RINO. They voted out a good senator.
If only PA could just give Philly to New Jersey...
I actually imagined him looking at Gates during a hearing and stating...
If you're so stupid that you don't realize your statements today will be used as enemy propaganda, and get our soldiers killed, you have no qualifications to be Sec.
it wasnt just phila that voted rick out - his numbers were down all over the state, even in deep red areas.
But, I sure won't be sorry to see him go.
And voted in a flaming liberal with a voting record to the left of Dennis Kucinich. Good trade, that, real smart...
One man with the decency to be true to his convictions. No wonder he doesn't fit in with "the new tone."
Anyone have an email address for Santorum? I went to his site and it refers to Casey. What a horrible mistake to vote Santorum out.
It is virtually impossible now to see America's leadership as being anything other than divided and with certain exceptions, defeatist.
This is ammunition for the Islamists and the Far Left.
Regards, Ivan
Well done Senators,Well done.
Two real strong decision makers there--and these two clown wanna be PRESIDENT??
Rick Santorum is one of the very few politcians I really like and respect. Too bad he lost the Senante in PA. He would make a great President.
I sure wish he would move to Texas and run. We could use a good Senator.
I'm keeping this good man and great Senator in my prayers. I want so much for us to "...see more of Rick coming up to 2008... ;)"
Nancee
You can thank the "conservative Christian" base who didn't vote out of sheer spite.
I'd prefer we won, thanks.
What was the deep red's problem w/Santorum?
Rick is probably out of cash and bruised from his senate defeat, but, he offers the country the only real choice among a group of "Hillary Lites".
I wish there was a way for him to enter the primaries so his message could be compared to the other candidates.
Some "true" conservatives were upset at him over his endorsement of Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in the 2004? Senate primary election.
I'd prefer we won, thanks.
What would we win if we elect a Republican "Hillary Lite"?
By your logic? Less Hillary.
I'd prefer we won, thanks.
Win with who? McCain? Is that winning? What will we have won? Granted he's hawkish on the war on terror now, but other than than, he's a total RINO. And if he's a total RINO everywhere else, it won't be long before the wheels of the machine start to turn and he cuts and runs on the war too.
I recall hearing that as well. I believe the phrase used was, "pro-lifers demand perfection."
Follow the money
OK, I remember that now.
Regards, Ivan
Excellent!
Santorum is the man.
See my tagline.
I have no idea, since it's a little early.
But Rick Santorum, regardless of his conservative credentials, has made enough politically suicidal statements that he would be toast in a national campaign.
Sorry guys.
A proud "Goldwater Republican" would never settle for less Hillary.
It was your premise, not mine.
If he's still around, he's been quiet.
I doubt if Rick could act as a puppet for a money man. He's really driven by his convictions and beliefs.
During the primary debates, everyone else will be speaking in cliches and platitudes and Rick would be expressing a conservative vision for America and the free world.
My brother who calls himself a conservative and who has always acted and voted as one, voted for Casey. He tried to explain it to me but I won't talk to him about it. I am still in shock.
Thanks, I just emailed that address, we'll see what happens. I heard Rick's speech re Gates last night and I was so impressed. He called a spade a spade. That is a man who needs to go further i.e to President. Those idiots voted out a really good man.
Scaife still publishes the Tribune-Review, but for all the good it does in many other areas, it has never been a pro-life voice. Scaife is pro-choice. Also, the Trib never supported the reasons for going to war in Iraq and was among those praising Murtha for declaring it time to cut and run.
To say, briefly, that Scaife isn't going to be bankrolling Santorum anytime soon.
Another try; all the expressed Republican hopefuls (Rudy, McCain, Romney, etc.)are in my opinion nothing more than Hillary Lite.
What would we win if we elected any of these candidates?
IMO, even if we won, we'd loose by moving the entire country to the left.
So you'd settle for more hillary.
Why are Biden, Dole, etc termed "lawmakers" and Santorum and Bunning characterized as "Bush allies"? They are all "senators" the last time I looked.
Bias, anyone?
Santorum for President is the only candidate that could excite me right now. Others have sugested Santorum as Ambassador to the UN. That's not a bad plan either.
agreed.
he lost Pennsylvania in a landslide. I don't see him winning anything other than the deep south, utah, wyoming and Idaho in a national election.
the chances of his confirmation are slim to none.
Please...we have enough problems....don't want Philly for any reason....and I don't like their cheese steaks, either!!!!!!!
ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.