Posted on 03/29/2005 6:40:35 AM PST by Conservative Goddess
Some very smart people believe that U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is poised to become ex- Senator Santorum, a casualty of his scheduled re-election contest next year with State Treasurer Bob Casey.
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In fact, a close look at the record suggests that his confrontational style and conservative rhetoric conceals more than it reveals. Too much attention has been spent on Santorum the cultural ideologue and not enough on his pragmatism and political opportunism; inside this raging bull of a conservative is a pragmatist for whom getting re-elected always trumps ideology, which may not make him any different than other politicians.
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The independent and much respected National Journal’s rating system cited here is probably the most highly regarded measure of its kind. What its analysis reveals is that Pennsylvania’s junior senator consistently shifts toward the center in those years just before his reelection. Santorum may continue to talk like a conservative, but he’s voting like a pragmatist. Last year, for example, according to the Journal, Santorum was actually narrowly left of the Republican center, with his votes placing him closer to Arlen Specter than to his more conservative colleagues.
Last year was not the only year he moved left. He did the same in the run up to his 2000 re-election. The year before the election, he supported a decidedly un-conservative sales tax hike in 11 western Pennsylvania counties to build new sport stadiums in Pittsburgh, campaigned for pro choice Christy Todd Whitman, and supported increasing the minimum wage. In 2000, he supported federal funding for several Pennsylvania projects, including money for aquatic habitat. He also fought to save the health care benefits of 560, 000 Pennsylvanians who participated in the Medicare+Choice program. Most revealing of all, he backed off his commitment for the 1997-balanced budget act.
Similarly, this election cycle, Santorum is showing renewed interest in transportation and other Pennsylvania pork barrel appropriations. Indeed, he has now become a key player in bringing the bacon back home. He has also held high profile press conferences with John Kerry promoting a measure that would accommodate workers’ religious practices and with Hillary Clinton for money to study the effects of TV viewing, Internet and other media on children. And he is now rethinking his position in favor of capital punishment.
Santorum even now supports Clinton’s Americorps program that he once ridiculed as a colossal waste of taxpayer’s money for kids to sit around campfires singing kum ba yah.
His conservative talk and moderate walk were on display recently in key congressional budget votes. Initially, the “conservative” Santorum voted against a variety of Senate initiatives to restore budget cuts by the House--from Medicaid to Homeland Security grants, to education, and even Amtrak funding. But then on cue, the “moderate” Santorum, voted with the majority, 51 to 49, on final passage to restore the cuts to education, Medicaid, and the other domestic programs he had previously not supported.
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But this focus on Santorum’s high profile rhetoric has been myopic, causing his adversaries to miss much that is important. In particular, insufficient attention has been paid to Santorum’s unflagging work at his party’s grass roots; how he’s established comprehensive constituency services; how he’s worked tirelessly for Republicans--ask Arlen Specter about this--and how he has joined Specter in the Pennsylvania pork brigade. And far too little notice has been given to how he has blended his conservative zealotry with political pragmatism.
Maybe Democrats will learn the lesson taught here. Maybe they will learn not to underestimate Santorum. Maybe they will learn to watch what he does more closely than what he says. Maybe they will learn to take him less seriously as an ideologue and more seriously as a politician. And maybe they will finally defeat him next year. Maybe!
If, according to the article, SAINTorum is voting for more and more leftist ideas, how do you know that he won't 'reach out' to the Dems by voting for the Fairness Doctrine?
Since you bring them up, how is that drug bill and education bill conservative? Why did he vote to restore the spending that was being cut? Where do you see conservatism in these votes?
The point is that he cannot be trusted to do what he says. He's already proven it in more ways than one. At what point will you save 'enough'?
(Tiny nitpick, the tactic doesn't seem all that new.)
No, it means I can tell the difference between one of 100 senators, and 1 of 1 Presidents. Perhaps you've failed to notice, there is a striking difference.
I voted against Kerry, not necessarily for Bush.
I thought I was asking you a question. Twice in fact. If it will help, I'll highlight it. Can't you answer it?
Now, do you really think it is a viable position for a senator to disresepect the senior senator from his own state and party and the President of the US as well?
If we continue to rubber stamp our ballots, because so called Republicans are the lesser of the evils, we'll simply elect those who have no allegiance to the electorate.
Again, you confuse "the electorate" with your own views. You and the rest of "the base" are not enough to win, especially in a state like PA.
Now, be kind enough to explain to me how disrespecting your own senior senator (who helped you get elected in the first place) and your president is not a "suicidal" position. How does that dynamic work? How does Santorum get anything done if he has alienated all these members of his party? How does he get re-elected with only his base and no help from the rest of his party?
Please try to answert these questions and not just kneejerk another emotional response.
SD
You're right. He was under pressure. And he caved to the demands of the party rather than hold true to his stated convictions. Do you find that admirable? I don't.
They want reelected. When reelection is more important than the principles that they ran on, it's time to replace them. They're infected with Potomac Fever and the only cure is to get them out of DC.
No, I don't, and I said so at the time.
The problem is: the alternative to re-electing Sen. Santorum is almost certainly worse.
So, you just cut off your nose to spite your face (as my grandmother used to say) and go ahead and withhold your vote from Santorum. Why don't you spend some of that negativsm trying to defeat Rendell?
The secret is, as has been stated above and in other threads, leadership which convinces the ignorant "undecided" masses.
Your entire post is arguing against a premise that isn't held, wasn't asserted, and wasn't needed by my arguments.
YUP. I sure do. Edmund Burke, and English philospher and statesman best known for defense of sound constitutional statesmanship against prevailing abuse and misgovernment, said: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Rick did more than nothing. He actively supported Specter, a man known for his rabid pro-choice position. I suppose you could argue that Santorum merely did nothing as Arlen ascended. I will not reward frank malfeasance or misfeasance with my vote.
So be it. "You people are so predictable." Like a whore takes money to do anything, you'll swallow any argument, just for a Pubbie. Sheesh.
Still haven't read the article, I see.
It's not 'one thing' that he did that we disapprove of, the article lists about a dozen. That number is increasing and the nature of those votes is distressing. It shows a mindset other than conservative.
Your talk of "punishing heresy" speaks for itself. It's a shame you are not operating under this illusion, for that would be correctable. As it is, you seem delighted to cut off your nose to spite your face.
SD
I'm not there or I would. You don't want to open the book about my support, financial and footwork, over the last 30 years of Republicans. You would be ashamed of the implications of your post.
You sure do what? I asked you a question, three times. Why can't you answer it?
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
The irony of this is lost on you, as you sit on your thumbs while Casey gets elected and the GOP gets farther away from a fillibuster-proof Senate.
SD
I know that we get in the habit of ignoring the press, but before you comment on a comment, read the damn article. Show me where the article is wrong in the facts. Forget the conclusion. Come to your own, but look at the evidence presented first.
You keep your messiah complex, I'll stay in my stupor.
Nor you.
It's not 'one thing' that he did that we disapprove of, the article lists about a dozen. That number is increasing and the nature of those votes is distressing. It shows a mindset other than conservative.
From the article:
What its analysis reveals is that Pennsylvania’s junior senator consistently shifts toward the center in those years just before his reelection.
What about this quote, from the article, do you find hard to understand?
Hillary Clinton is "shifting toward the center" as well. But none of us believe her. Why do you believe Santorum's electioneering and posturing is more indicative of his true self than his solid, over-time conservative ACU record?
SD
Exactly. . . .we must get REVENGE!!!! Even if that means shooting ourselves to do it. Quick grab the matches and gasoline!!!
Here, let me spell it out for you. I'll type real slow so that maybe you'll catch my drift.
YES, RICK SANTORUM SHOULD HAVE DEFIED THE PARTY ESTABLISHMENT.
Clear enough for you?
Good, now we're getting somewhere. Now, to continue:
Now, be kind enough to explain to me how disrespecting your own senior senator (who helped you get elected in the first place) and your president is not a "suicidal" position. How does that dynamic work? How does Santorum get anything done if he has alienated all these members of his party? How does he get re-elected with only his base and no help from the rest of his party?
SD
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