Posted on 08/18/2009 8:19:53 PM PDT by kingattax
He says he isn't considering a presidential run in near future ---
Former Sen. Rick Santorum said Monday he has no problem being marked as a "dangerous" man politically, despite being out of office since 2006.
The most recent attack comes from former Bush and McCain political strategist Mark McKinnon, who said Mr. Santorum's upcoming speaking engagements in Iowa point to a potential 2012 presidential run that would be "very, very dangerous for America."
"Mark is [now] a Democrat, and I respect that," said Mr. Santorum, Pennsylvania Republican. "I'm sure the folks on the left see me as dangerous. They've always seen me as dangerous, and I take a little pride in that. People cannot see you as dangerous unless you're effective."
Mr. Santorum -- known for his conservative views on such issues as abortion, marriage and foreign policy -- told The Washington Times "America's Morning News" radio show that he is not considering a presidential candidacy in the near future.
He also said he knows such issues stir pubic debate, but he is proud of his accomplishments during his 16 years in Congress.
"I understand the passions are high when my name gets mentioned," Mr. Santorum said.
Mr. McKinnon ranks Mr. Santorum as No. 8 in the "Daily Beast" political blog site's Top 10 list of likely GOP presidential contenders. Mitt Romney is at the top with Sarah Palin at No. 5 and Newt Gingrich at No. 6.
"Unfortunately, he's thinking about it," writes Mr. McKinnon, now vice chairman of Public Strategies, a political strategies firm, and president of Maverick Media, a public relations firm. "No matter what they say, assume that any politician who steps inside the borders of Iowa or New Hampshire has got the presidential itch. ..."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
well, well, well...what a surprise
If Mark McKinnon is against Santorum then I would automatically support him because McKinnon left McCain to support ZERO.
That’s good...we’re flusing out the RINO’s this year....FAST!
Santorum rocks.
I will stand by him.
Is this the same Santorum who personally got involved in Arlen Specter re-election as a republican...before Arlen switched to the dark side...
Santorum first supported the leftist twit Specter and then he supported the Socialist fraud Slick Willard for President. That’s two epic fails.
Mark McKinnon blasted the town hall protests. He has morphed into an Obama shill.
Santorum has made a mistake or two but overall I would rate him about a 95% conservative senator.
As Pennsylvania resident I wish that Santorum would take on Snarlin’ Arlen next year.
The only other GOP candidate with a high enough profile to win would be Attorney General Tom Corbett but we need him for Governor!
Spector got his clock cleaned by Sestak at the Nutroots Nation debate.
He’s toast.
Pat Toomey is ahead by 12 points in the most recent polls...I trully think that Benedict Arlen will be defeated by Mr. Toomey.
I am surprised Santorum is still being referred to as a Pennsylvanian...thought he relocated the family permanently to the VA burbs of DC.
Rick got burned by jumping on the Republican bus (driven by one GWBush) to help Specter ‘retain’ his seat. Then, first chance he got, The Snarlin One turned on Bush and Santorum (who had thrown his ideological twin, Pat Toomey under that bus). Alot of conservatives got pi$$ed at Rick (myself included...though I did hold my nose and vote for him that last time). THAT is how we came to have Bobby Casey, Jr. as a Senator. And, in a roundabout way, Obama as President.
Casey, Jr., was the first and only statewide supporter of The Messiah (Obama returns the ‘bromance’ because Bobby makes Barry sound ‘smart.’) All other PA Dems, from Fast Eddie on down, ALL were solidly in the Hillary Clinton Camp (remember, PA went for Hillary in the primaries by about 10 points)...so, if Santorum had won, alot of things I think would have turned out differently.
Santorum and Palin are the two political figures at the top of MY list.
Everyone makes mistakes! :) Bet he would never do that again.
Bump that. Same here.
Of course he is dangerous! He represents a threat to the ‘RATS absolute power.
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