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Rick Santorum’s nice-guy persona is turning a bit testy lately
Washington Post ^ | March 26The Washington Post | Sandhya Somashekhar

Posted on 03/27/2012 9:07:22 AM PDT by PSYCHO-FREEP

For a while, it had seemed that Rick Santorum’s crabby days were behind him. Gone were the sarcastic potshots at reporters and peevish outbursts aimed at his political opponents. He had transformed into the Mr. Rogers of the presidential race: good-natured, self-deprecating and downright likable.

But that nice-guy image has gone down the drain lately, with a series of provocative remarks and testy exchanges that have coincided with his slipping presidential fortunes. He may have hit a low point Sunday, when he uttered an expletive in response to a question from a New York Times reporter.

Asked what he meant when he said in a speech that rival Mitt Romney was the “worst Republican in the country” to go up against President Obama, Santorum lashed back at reporter Jeff Zeleny in an exchange that was captured by CBS.

“Stop lying!” he responded. “I said he was the worst Republican to run on the issue of Obamacare. And that’s what I was talking about!” In case there was any doubt that he meant it, he suggested that if he saw such a statement in print, it would amount to “bull----.”

For a candidate seeking to be the conservative standard-bearer in the election, it is perhaps not the worst thing to be caught on tape cursing out a reporter from a mainstream newspaper. Santorum’s campaign attempted Monday to capi­tal­ize on the incident, sending out a fundraising letter accusing the Times of being a liberal bully.

But for people who have followed Santorum’s decades-long career in politics, it was the latest sign that Santorum is reverting back to a prickly persona that predated his rise in the polls.(snip)

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: santorum2012
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

Here’s the reality PF, a Romney nomination equals four more years of Obama.


21 posted on 03/27/2012 9:41:48 AM PDT by Rational Thought
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To: Rational Thought
[Most voters in PA actually liked Santorum and recognized him for his ability to represent the State.]

Right,.........Which is why Santo was voted out of office in a record loss of 18%. Talk about being run out of town of a rail! And even today, they still talk about how terrible a job Santo did as Senator for the State. His support for Specter in 2004, is where it all started.

22 posted on 03/27/2012 9:43:51 AM PDT by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
“Santorum simply came across as whiny, petty and seriously lacking in self control.”

Santorum looked a lying reporter straight in the eye and told him directly to his face that he was a liar. That is not whiny, petty or lacking in self-control. That is the right thing to do. The media have been contantly lying about Santorum everyday for months now.

I agree that Newt is more articulate when he confronts reporters. Newt does it better. But that doesn't mean Santorum wasn't 100% right to stand up for himself against people who are deliberately lying about him.

On whether it was good politically, I'm not sure. But I tend to agree with Sarah Palin’s analysis that the American people are tired of the lies from the media and want conservatives to stand up and confront the dishonesty.

23 posted on 03/27/2012 9:45:03 AM PDT by detective
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To: Rational Thought
So, show me RT, exactly what data do you have to prove that? And, while you are at it, show me the data that shows how Santorum can win, or even beat Romney for that matter.
24 posted on 03/27/2012 9:47:21 AM PDT by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: txrangerette

His reaction to the Zimmerman shooting of Martin is the most concerning of all to me.

His comments really turned me off him, I guess he’s to stupid to know what to say and will just jump on the bandwagon.

This election, i’ll vote AGAINEST obozo but there is no one for me to support on the repub side. The same as it’s been since 1984, sure would be nice to actually LIKE the person I’m voting for.


25 posted on 03/27/2012 9:47:53 AM PDT by Chainsawj
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To: Rational Thought
Seemingly, you look to be a closet Romney supporter as you sure like to post anything bashing his main opponent.

that seems to be the new meme amongst santorum's dwindling supporters, you don't support Saint Rick, you support romney. Well, I definitely do NOT support Saint Rick, and I definitely do not support romeny, I support Newton Leroy Gingrich, the next President of the United States. Please try to find a more cogent and convincing defense of your candydate, and stop casting aspersions on people who don't support Santorum, or have what it takes to call them a liar straight on. Geez, the hypocrisy of santorum and his supporters is almost too much to bear sometimes.

26 posted on 03/27/2012 9:52:22 AM PDT by true believer forever (If Newt is good enough for Sarah, he's good enough for me!)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
"Juvenile outbursts", I didn't know this guy until this primary, yet that is exactly how I see him. Tempremental, juvenile.

It showed in all the debates, with his nodding his head, red faced and grinning like a two year old,(who just discovered something), while others spoke. The "ME TOO" or "Pick Me" syndrome.

I DON'T like him one bit, but I will vote for him IF I HAVE TO. SO SAD for me to contemplate that, when we have the best with NEWT GINGRICH.

The same NEWT GINGRICH for whom RICK owes all his good fortune to in this primary. Newt took the fall and Ricky benefited, not on his own merits, but because Mitt took Newt (the best) out first.

YOUR TURN RICK, you want Newts support as well as his supporters? You don't deserve it, but by default you may get it. just damn, you lucky dog.

27 posted on 03/27/2012 9:52:47 AM PDT by annieokie
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
Funny how Santorum won the Republican primary in 2006 even after supporting Specter? But, according to you, the Specter endorsement is the reason for Santorum’s general election loss in 2006. Sorry FRiend, that wasn't the reality and all you're doing is parroting Etch campaign spin.

Odd how you never post how Etch also lost an election in MA, one of his 27 home States.

28 posted on 03/27/2012 9:55:16 AM PDT by Rational Thought
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To: detective
Among strong Conservatives, yes, you are correct. The MSM deserves every thing we can throw at them. Sarah's comments were directed at us.

But in the cruel Liberal world of the Press, they mold all the thoughts that come from the ignorant public. (The 54% who voted for Obama.)

The general consensus from this in the last 2 days, among the public, is exactly as the article described. Santorum is being reestablished as the hot head he was formerly known to be in PA.

And this is no longer a small electorate isolated to PA. This is a National Election for the highest office on the Planet Earth. The Press has successfully labeled Santorum, not only for his past, but amplified the intensity of his true persona, which from here on out is; “He’s visceral, emotional, provocative,”.

It is what it is, and it will be the end of his career. He never learned to control his mouth, and it will get worse because Santo is becoming desperate. (The trigger that sets him off.)

29 posted on 03/27/2012 10:00:56 AM PDT by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
It’s a great big world outside this forum, because you see it that way, does not mean the rest of the World won’t dare to cross you.

It also doesn't mean you have to be a door mat for the MSM. Punching them in the face now and again is a time honored tradition in this party.

30 posted on 03/27/2012 10:01:02 AM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

Go get ‘em, Rick!


31 posted on 03/27/2012 10:03:37 AM PDT by Paperdoll (On the cutting edge)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
If you call temperamental and juvenile outbursts as “backbone”, then there is no point discussing anything further with you.

You don't have to discuss anything with me! I was never discussing anything with you, you have your opinion and I have mine! Or am I not aloud to share my opinion? Juvenile? Really?
32 posted on 03/27/2012 10:07:23 AM PDT by ForAmerica (Conservative Christian Black Man!)
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To: Rational Thought
Well then it must be clear! According to you, Santorum must have won the main 2006 election in PA then, since he won the Primary. Why even have a general election, when the Primary settles everything?

(OK, back to reality now.)

33 posted on 03/27/2012 10:07:44 AM PDT by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: true believer forever
I have posted dozens of times I would vote for either Santorum or Gingrich. You and others seem to believe that it should be Gingrich or Romney. Well, sorry, I view Santorum as a thousand times better than Romney. As for Gingrich, I can't find a way mathematically he can accomplish what he wants as he must win some States. Coming in second now means nothing in keeping delegates from Romney. On the other hand, Santorum still has a shot at winning the delegate count or keeping Romney from 1144.

Sure appears that Gingrich is playing the role of a spoiler.

FYI.....

Via Twitter;

Molly Ball ‏ @mollyesque

In Annapolis, Newt says if Romney has a majority after UT votes on 6/26, "I will support him."

34 posted on 03/27/2012 10:49:11 AM PDT by Rational Thought
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Santorum should have just called the reporter a major league a-hole and be done with it.


35 posted on 03/27/2012 10:55:13 AM PDT by ConservativeTeen (Proud Right Wing Extremist)
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To: Lazlo in PA; PSYCHO-FREEP; jimrob
.


PSYCHO-FREEP ...


Be easy on Lazlo now ... Little Ricky's "ship of politics" has entered the world of uber-hard-ball politics ...

and Laz is simply upset that Ricky ... is as seasoned as a ... glazed doughnut ...



Jim Robinson ... may I copyright that phrase ...

"Rick Santorum is a seasoned as a Glazed Doughnut, compared to "Ol' Blood and Guts" Newt Gingrich " ? .




.

36 posted on 03/27/2012 8:30:56 PM PDT by Patton@Bastogne (Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin in 2012 !)
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