Santorum campaign suggests Mitt Romney may have done deal to make Ron Paul his running mate

Daily Mail U.K. Online ^ | Thursday, February 23, 2012 | Toby Harnden

[DestroyLiberalism]

After tonight's debate, in which Ron Paul and Mitt Romney repeatedly attacked Rick Santorum over his 16-year record in Congress, the former US Senator for Pennsylvania hinted that something nefarious was going on.

"You have to ask Congressman Paul and Governor Romney what they've got going together," Santorum told reporters in the spin room in Mesa, Arizona. "Their commercials look a lot alike and so do their attacks."

Santorum's top strategist John Brabender went even further, charging that the two men had "joined forces" and were coordinating attacks against his man

"Clearly there's a tag team strategy between Ron Paul and Mitt Romney. For all I know, Mitt Romney might be considering Ron Paul as his running mate. Clearly there is now an alliance between those two and you saw that certainly in the debate."

The was also coordination in their attack ads, he charged. "Ron Paul for all practical purposes has pulled out of Michigan. Correct? Where's he running negative ads against Rick Santorum? Michigan.

"It was interesting to me that if you watch Ron Paul when he came into the debate, he wrote negative things about Rick Santorum down because when he started to get questions he would immediately pick up his paper and start mentioning Santorum stuff."

[Happy Rain]

The Daily Caller has Rand Paul lobbying for Mitt's VP and the Romney/Paul alliance against Rick has long since been established.

The GOP establishment and RINOs gave the debate to Mitt of course and the Newt People gave it to Newt of course—Paul is a nut and Santorum, as the frontrunner, took the most heat of course.
I'm for Rick and so I thought he did as well as he could being attacked from both his left and Right but he still is going to win because Newt is too far back, Mitt's obvious mendacity shines through whenever he appears before conservatives and Paul's a nut.
The Newt, Mitt and Paul people can whine and be as mean-spirited as they wish but the polls will not change because conservative Americans have already seen and then saw again last night a virtuous Christian Conservative being persecuted—and they don't like it cause they like Rick.
If anything, after last nights performance, I believe Rick may be on his way to wrapping this thing up.
But we are all biased partisans by now so only time will tell if I'm wrong and not the heated opinion of some bent out of shape opponent of Rick Santorum’s.

[caww]

Conservative Americans have already seen and then saw again last night a virtuous Christian Conservative being persecuted.

Where on earth are you getting the idea Santorum was 'persecuted' in a debate? It's a primary , politics, candidates, and a run for Presidential office....it's a race against opponets...sheesh!

I'm a Conservative and a Christian...Santorum has no discernment capability when it comes to framing his judgemental religious comments...while pointing his one finger at others while he has three pointing back at him. He does not reflect the statesmanship we need...rather comes off like a circut riding preacher blathering fire and brimstone........the place for that is not an election.

[Happy Rain]

As I said, time will tell and not biased partisan opinion.

But you don't think there is religious persecution against Christianity in America and that CNN is not part of it?
Using the law (with threats of fines and/or imprisonment) in defiance of the constitution to force faiths to conform to a government agenda is not persecution to you?

Thank God we have a solid CONSISTANT Christian Conservative American like Santorum to not only take the heat but send it right back in their faces.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Obama is taking our country into a moral cesspool. On the fast track.

Somebody has to stand up and say it and take a stance.

Heck, the Israelites grumbled at Moses for bring some law down to them, for their own good.

The reasons libs and libertines don't like Santorum is that by his personal example, and words (warnings, more than anything else), in their darkness and wrong, they know they are convicted. And it makes them downright uncomfortable.

If people in the White House, in MSM, on Broadway, in Music/Billboard Magazine, in Ghetto Chic/Rap/Hip-Hop World, on cable reality shows, in Hollywood, get a little "uptight", then so be it. As it is, they are taking us over a moral Niagara Falls in a barrel and I for one find the social conservative element to it not only refreshing, but what our country needs.

[SueRae]

Becoming crystal clear now. THanks.

[CharlesWayneCT]

No, that was just people here. Just like people here were non-stop whining about how Santorum was just playing for the VP slot.

It’s called political posturing. I think you are familiar with it.

[CharlesWayneCT]

It’s just funny seeing a Gingrich supporter attack Rick Santorum for whining when he has a bad debate.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Are you sure they care anymore if it elevates Gingrich?

[Reagan69]

That would be pretty stupid on Mitt’s part.

[Def Conservative]

Rick needs to grow up. He whines A LOT.

[Fresh Wind]

Oh sure I recall the Arlen Sphincter fiasco...

Then surely you must remember Romney's endorsement of Toomey in 2004. You don't? Does anyone?

Perhaps Governor Romney was supporting Spectre at the time over Toomey. In any event, less than a year after the 2004 election, Romney was there on his knees working Spectre for a handout of federal money. From the link:

"Yesterday (Oct. 6, 2005), Romney met with Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of a key Senate Appropriations subcommittee, to lobby for the additional funding."

[parksstp]

Hey, I wonder who actually brought this up in a a few weeks ago in terms of the brokered convention?

Oh yeah, that’s right, me.

If Romney/Paul combined equals 1,144 delegates, Romney wins by putting Rand on the VP slot. It’s that simple.

It’s now not about denying Romney 1,144, but also Paul.

[parksstp]

Here it is, February 8th

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844715/posts

It took them a few weeks later to figure it out, but looks like I was right.

[helpfulresearcher]

Mitt is the big guy descended from the planet Kolob, and Ron Paul is his little friend from some asteroid.

What next? Moonies running for President? Heaven’s Gate cults?

[Eleutheria5]

Weirdos running for President is nothing new. Look at Lyndon Larouche and David Duke. Weirdos of their ilk running on the ticket of one of the two major parties, however, is something else. If this is his plan, it’s as if Romney were deliberately sabotaging his own candidacy so you can have four more years of you-know-who and the GOP can be a laughing stock well into the 2020s. If he is, then Mitt must be denied the candidacy at all costs, and kept off the ticket of whoever is nominated, and out of the cabinet. He’s got to be retired to private life forever. Let him go make money doing some damn thing or other with corporations, like he was before.

[1010RD]

I think you’ve got it.

[BobL]

“Cry baby Ricky isn’t sounding very presidential. LMAO”

I think it’s important to point this stuff out. CLEARLY, there’s something going on. Newt said he would stay positive, and he did. Paul seems to ONLY be able to go after Rick, but not Romney. For Paul that makes no sense, since Romney was a BANKER, and is a GLOBALIST. Lots of red meat for Paul...but he ignores it all. Romney/Paul are definitely a team at this point.

If getting Romney for nomination means that the crackpot Paul, or his half-crackpot kid, end up in a VP slot, it’s certainly better to know it now, would you not agree.

[marygam]

That’s my thinking too. Ron Paul is laying groundwork for Rand. I like Rand but don’t you just hate the dirty politics that has been apart of this election. Makes my stomach turn. Guess that’s why average folks tend to ignore what we political junkies observe.

[Ozymandias Ghost]

“The personal, vile, nasty and uncalled-for attacks on Rick Santorum were NEVER vicious like this, that I can ever recall in my 11 years on Free Republic.”
_________________

Hi AIT-

You're usually objective; however, in this case I have to point out that the “slams” and “nasty” “ad hominem” attacks have been from both sides and I have noted that on more than this thread.

For instance, one poster who posts things favorable to Newt and detrimental to Rick apparently lives in France and was repeatedly “slammed” just for living in there; (called “Frenchie,” and other disparaging remarks that had NOTHING to do w/this election or w/Rick's or Newts positions); yet, I can't recall anyone “calling you out” just because you live in Tokyo (which is as it should be; as where you live has nothing to do w/either your right to express; or, the validity of your political opinions).

I'm not picking on you; as I don't think you have done that type of vicious posting; but, there are several on both side that do that; and, there is one poster who posts on virtually every Newt thread a series of mean, “snarky” comments; but, NEVER posts anything that is meaningful, useful or constructive. (There are probably some who do this from Newt's side as well.)

That said; what I am hearing recounted on FOX and NBC this morning indicates they watched an entirely different debate than I did. The media narrative is that Romney won, Rick “missed the mark;” Newt didn't say much; and, Paul made relevant comments which pointed out Rick's shortcoomings as a conservative.

What I saw was Romney came across as his usual mendacious faux conservative self w/an extra measure of meanness thrown in for good measure; Rick had a good debate and certainly didn't lose any ground to Romney; Newt had a very good night and was the only one who was effective at turning the “trick questions” back against the media and Obama; and Ron Paul was his usual loony self w/a little extra effort in his attempts to "tagteam" w/Mitt against Rick.

I had noticed the collusion between Mitt and Paul several weeks ago and had speculated w/friends (not on FR) that there might be some sort of “deal” between Romney and Dr Paul to have Rand Paul selected as VeeP if Romney wins the nomination; so, I don't consider Rick's speculation to be unfounded; although, I am not sure it was wise of him to voice that opinion; as that sort of criticism is best left to surrogates.

Full disclosure: For those who are not aware, I started out supporting Cain and stayed w/him until he suspended his campaign. I have been w/Newt since that time; but, have stated (except for one emotional “rant”) that I will vote for Rick if he wins the nomination; which I remain committed to. I would only vote for Romney if I was convinced my vote was desperately needed to stop Obama ...and I'm still not convinced I can do that even then!!!

‘Take care,

-Geoff

[CAluvdubya]

I don't get some of these people for NG that have to be so nasty to RS in order to gain the golden cup, their targeting is entirely off base.

You know, I keep reading about how terrible the attacks are against Santorum by the Newt folks here on FR. I see one or two posters that are pretty ugly but I also recall one or two posters being pretty ugly towards Newt and Newt supporters here, as well.

Remember the vile comments here towards Sarah Palin and her supporters?

I don't think it's any worse towards Santorum than any other candidate on FR. The claim is made against everyone, all the time.