Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Of the 'Santorum Surge' (and Gingrich Slide) in Iowa...
Reaganite Republican ^ | December 30, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

Posted on 12/30/2011 1:23:47 AM PST by Reaganite Republican

Some on the right have been pumping Rick Santorum relentlessly in the wake of Herman Cain's withdrawal from the GOP primary race. Now lo-and-behold, such new media bloggers can share much of the credit for the Pennsylvania Republican's unlikely rise in the Iowa polls over this last week, particularly those who got behind him early and/or put boots on the ground.

Sure do love his platform... as I do Bachmann's. But the problem is that this 'Santorum surge' is coming purely at Newt's expense- and a direct result of underhanded scumbag Mitt Romney and his ma$$ive war chest, training the heavy guns on Gingrich 24/7 in Iowa. Now it's rumored that Michele Bachmann's surprisingly vicious attacks upon Newt -while largely laying off Romney- means she's angling for a VP slot.

Seems to be going to evil plan for Mittens, with Newt taken down a few pegs by a fullisade of harsh, negative ads, suddenly he's out front in 'conservative' Iowa... with the only worse candidate than him -Ron Paul- right up top there with him... great!

This is precisely why I switched my support from Bachmann to Newt... she and Santorum lack the requisite skill set/political stature to beat Romney and Obama and then run the country, and to me backing such candidates at this point will only hand the nomination to Romney...  maybe the WH back to Obama, too. The 'anybody could beat Obama' argument is pure fantasy, the Dems still enjoy many advantages in the areas of organization and lack of scruples... and there's a large block of barnacles that will vote 'D' no matter what.

We are to pick a race horse here, that's a HUGE part of this- 

I don't think one can afford to be too fickle about the color, esp if you are advocating that we bet the fate of the USA on a lame, uncharismatic candidate like Santorum that got whipped by 20 lengths last time he hit the track... just because he ticks all the boxes.

Sure, I wish there was a bit more conservative candidate who could beat Obama and was qualified to be president... but there isn't, Newt Gingrich is simply as good as it gets for the GOP this round. He's still up 2.4% nationally, and can be expected to sweep the south from SC-on... riding that string of victories on to the nomination, imo.

You could do a lot worse, my fellow conservatives...

Newt in the Wall St Journal:  
'Reagan had the recipe for success, let's follow it'

Ronald Reagan's economic guru Art Laffer has endorsed Newt,  as well... calling him an  'amazing' man with a pure "Reagan-Kemp" economic plan.

He went on to say that none of the other GOP candidates can hold a candle to  Gingrich's record of 'getting things done in Washington' :

Video/more at Reaganite Republican
__________________________________________________________________
Real Clear Politics   Gateway Pundit   The Other McCain  Wikipedia   Santorum2012   Newt.org   Legal Insurrection


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Conspiracy; Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: georgia; gingrich; hermancain; iowa; massachusetts; michelebachmann; minnesota; mittromney; newtgingrich; pennsylvania; ricksantorum; romney; ronpaul; santorum; santorumsurge; texas
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 next last
To: Reaganite Republican
“Charisma” is a funny thing. While it's not a requirement to become President (remember George Bush during the 2000 election?), it's a desirable attribute.

I have never considered Romney, nor Obama, to be charismatic, regardless of what the media tells me. In a debate setting, I have found Gingrich charismatic, but not for years as a political pundit on TV and radio.

As for Santorum, at times during the debates, given his very limited camera time, I found him articulate, intelligent and persuasive. Like Gingrich, I never witnessed charisma when doing his TV work. But, if he indeed carries (or has carried) that same debate posture over to his campaign speeches and town halls (of which I've never seen him in person), I don't believe that the “lack of charisma” criticism will stick. Time will tell.

21 posted on 12/30/2011 3:59:38 AM PST by Rational Thought
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Utmost Certainty

, Obama would be irrefutably exposed as the incompetent pretender president he is.

Anyone with eyes already sees that. Very few votes will be gained by beating Obama in a debate.


22 posted on 12/30/2011 4:26:18 AM PST by freedomfiter2 (Brutal acts of commission and yawning acts of omission both strengthen the hand of the devil.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: nathanbedford
I would feel more at home if you'd occasionally scream "RINO" or "TROLL" at people in your posts.

Kidding - thanks for the perspective. Love reading your posts.

23 posted on 12/30/2011 4:41:58 AM PST by Caipirabob ( Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Utmost Certainty

The purity caucus thinks all it will take is a nice smile and some fairy magic to beat Romney/Obama.

Santorium has no organization past Iowa, no money, and no chance.

But these guys don’t care. They rather toss the thing to Romney and feel “principled”.


24 posted on 12/30/2011 4:42:41 AM PST by VanDeKoik (1 million in stimulus dollars paid for this tagline!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Reaganite Republican
Let's face, the powers that be will not offer a true charismatic conservative for the GOP to pimp for the 2012 election.

I think the election in 2012, like 2008, has already been decided and out of our hands.

My point being that how could with all the lawyers in the DNC, the GOP, the US Congress, the states, the 2008 GOP primary candidates, the MSM, etc never ask the question in 2008 was BO Sr., ever a US citizen? Why not? Cause 'the fix' was in.

They needed an incompetent puppet to occupy the Oval Office and an ignorant electorate to feel good about electing him so the NWO could continue to dismantle the US.

Think about it....look what happened to Palin and Cain (Obummer & the DNC & the LSM couldn't play the class/race card if Cain ever became viable).....some group behind the scenes knew such strong conservatives (either) could not be manipulated easily once in the White House.....so 'they' went after their families. The GOP top brass going to AK for Murky is another example.

Ask this question: Why would the media, Wall Street, Congress, the White House, Freddie/Fannie, etc., etc., pimp an artificial housing boom beginning in 2003 knowing full well growth in the US population and upcoming retirement of the baby boomers did not warrant such expansion?

I pose these few questions in hopes that some may be fully aware of the dog & pony show that continues.

Obama and his ilk have seriously damaged the US economy while Congress continues to kick the can down the road.

The GOP may squeak out a win in 2012, however, they will be left holding the blame as a very sick global economy with too many domestic rules, laws, regulations, etc., are now already in place and not to take effect until after the 2012 election.

I really enjoy reading FReepers' comments about the potential candidates regardless. Forgive my being off-topic to some degree. In the meantime, the Big Goobermint Guard Dog (US Senate) still blocks all sensible legislation to protect the lives of the DC elite.

So, what's the reason now the already approved Keystone Pipeline can't be started? Oh, that's right, the Dems do not want the US nor the middle class to prosper. That would go completely against the grain of forced socialist serfdom. Fast & Furious and the DOJ suing states over Voter ID requirements are 2 ongoing examples of such BS being forced upon us.

25 posted on 12/30/2011 4:48:48 AM PST by RSmithOpt (Liberalism: Highway to Hell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BillyBoy
Santorum, the best of a so-so lot.

Why didn't other conservatives throw their hats into the ring: Demint? Jindal? Others?

26 posted on 12/30/2011 4:53:26 AM PST by Jabba the Nutt (.Are they stupid, malicious or evil?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: nathanbedford

I’m sticking with Newt. The rest of the FRs here can dwell in the man’s past and stick with the weak sister Santorum...(does anyone think this guy can stand up to the media and our enemies...) and of course slimy Romney.


27 posted on 12/30/2011 4:54:24 AM PST by nikos1121
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: BillyBoy

I don’t get this anti Newt behavior on FR. While Romney was against the Reagan platform, Newt was a leader to implement those ideas. Newt politically has delivered more conservative legislation for the conservative movement than any other figure in our lifetimes other than reagan.

He led the sea change bringing us to majority status after our party was relegated to second class minority status in DC for nearly a half century. He produced a balanced budget, and beat Clinton to deliver welfare reform. Yes, newt has flaws, but so does every one, especially in politics. I am not strongly for Gingrich at this stage in the race, but he is among my top contenders. He has made some stances over the past few years I do to like, but he generally is very effective at articulating what I believe and shows ability to implement it.


28 posted on 12/30/2011 5:23:07 AM PST by ilgipper (Everything you get from the government was taken from someone else)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Lazlo in PA

>> He lost 1 race in a terrible year in a deep blue state.

Anyone who pimps for Arlen Specter rather than support a good conservative like Pat Toomey doesn’t have the judgment to be POTUS.

PLUS he’s a loser.

No thank you.


29 posted on 12/30/2011 5:28:41 AM PST by Nervous Tick (Trust in God, but row away from the rocks!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: American Constitutionalist

Keep supporting losers, genius. Vote for Mitt Obama.


30 posted on 12/30/2011 5:30:01 AM PST by Dr. Thorne (Fall on your knees before Christ, your only salvation!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Thorne
Newt is losing steam ....

31 posted on 12/30/2011 5:36:31 AM PST by American Constitutionalist (The fool has said in his heart, " there is no GOD " ..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: ilgipper
I agree. Newt knows how to horse trade for conservative benefiting legislation. Some say Newt can't be Zeewoe, I say BS. Mittens, IMHO, is Obama-Lite when it comes to social policy. One thing I've noticed about Mittens that gives me grave concerns is that he gives a creepy laugh at his own statements especially when he attempts half-jokingly sarcasm. Bachman and Santorum have been offered up to appease the Tea Partiers initially for the GOP dog & pony show.

If Newt gets the nod, I should would like to hear his views on how he would reduce the size of the fed goobermint and its associated legacy costs that generations behind the retiring boomers are stuck paying for..........

32 posted on 12/30/2011 5:37:24 AM PST by RSmithOpt (Liberalism: Highway to Hell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: American Constitutionalist
I don't care what the Newt punks say, when they say that those who don't support Newt are helping Romney, I was supporting Herman Cain before he dropped out, and Newt was not even on the radar at the time.

I too, supported Herman Cain and now support Newt, but I don't feel like a punk.

If you support Rick that's fine, but calling Newt supporters punks isn't going to change any minds.

Mook.

33 posted on 12/30/2011 5:40:24 AM PST by USS Alaska (Nuke The Terrorist Savages)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Nervous Tick
" Anyone who pimps for Arlen Specter rather than support a good conservative like Pat Toomey doesn’t have the judgment to be POTUS. "

Oh, no, not this regurgitated vomit broken record propaganda crap again..
Once again, Toomey didn't turn out to be such a great choice after all, he supported the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't tell in the military, so ? do you think this is some value conservatives embrace ?
34 posted on 12/30/2011 5:49:21 AM PST by American Constitutionalist (The fool has said in his heart, " there is no GOD " ..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: USS Alaska

Read what I wrote again, I said, those who say that a vote for anyone else other than Newt will help Romney... read it again... that’s what I was talking about, don’t paint it with a broad brush.


35 posted on 12/30/2011 5:53:09 AM PST by American Constitutionalist (The fool has said in his heart, " there is no GOD " ..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: American Constitutionalist
Here is what you wrote...

I don't care what the Newt punks say,

I don't know what you meant to write, and I didn't paint it with a broad brush, I just quoted what you wrote.

Mook.

36 posted on 12/30/2011 6:04:06 AM PST by USS Alaska (Nuke The Terrorist Savages)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: ilgipper

I don’t really understand the anti-Newt rhetoric either.

Only thing I can figure is it has something to do with some people being desperately attached to another candidate, to a point that they feel an imperative to bring others down.


37 posted on 12/30/2011 6:10:18 AM PST by Utmost Certainty (Our Enemy, the State | Gingrich 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Reaganite Republican
Sure do love his platform... as I do Bachmann's. But the problem is that this 'Santorum surge' is coming purely at Newt's expense

I've never understood this mentality. If a candidate ends up losing support, how is it the fault of another one, especially considering conservative credentials? This line is nothing more than another example of entitlement, the 'my guy is in the lead so everyone else better fall in line'.

So don't blame the loss of support on another candidate. Put the blame where it belongs- Newt (and all other 'leaders' who blamed another candidate for their falling numbers).

38 posted on 12/30/2011 6:16:31 AM PST by rintense
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Darkwolf377
Newt has wide spread support across the Nation. Iowa and New Hampshire voted for Zero in 2008. They are very low populated, blue States. What happens in IA and NH will not reflect what the Tea Parry and Conservatives will choose to Represent Us for the upcoming election.

Newt is likely to win many states and has a strong chance to be the Conservative nominee. Look at how many states Newt is likely to win. Go NEWT !

January
? - Iowa 28 delegates

? - New Hampshire 12
Newt - South Carolina 25
Newt - Florida 50


February
Newt - Nevada 28

Newt - Maine 24

Newt - Colorado 36
? - Minnesota 40

Newt- Arizona 29
? - Michigan 30

March
Newt - Washington 43
Newt - Alaska 27
Newt - Georgia 76

Newt - Idaho 32
RINO - Mass 41

Newt - North Dakota 28

Newt - Ohio 66

Newt - Oklahoma 43

Newt - Tennessee 58

? - Vermont 17
Newt - Virginia 50

Newt - Wyoming 29

Newt - Kansas 40

Newt - Alabama 50

? - Hawaii 20
Newt - Mississippi 40

Newt - Missouri 52

? - Illinois 69

Newt - Louisiana 46

April

Newt - Maryland 37
Newt or Perry - Texas 155

? - Wash D.C. 19

Newt - Wisconsin 42

? - Connecticut 28

? - Delaware 17
? - New York 95

Newt - Pennsylvania 72

? - Rhode Island 19

May
Newt - Indiana 46

Newt - North Carolina 55

 Newt - West Virginia 31

Newt - Nebraska 35

Newt - Oregon 29

Newt - Arkansas 36

Newt - Kentucky 45


June
? - California 172
Newt - Montana 26

Newt - New Jersey 50

Newt - New Mexico 23

Newt - South Dakota 28

RINO - Utah 40

39 posted on 12/30/2011 6:17:21 AM PST by show
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Reaganite Republican

It’s Santorum’s turn to be “not Romney”. The battle has always been between Romney and “not Romney”.

First Bachman was “not Romney”; then Perry; then Cain; then Gingrich; now Santorum.

I’ve been saying for over a year that Romney will be the nominee. And he will lose to Obama. Because the GOP is just that stupid.


40 posted on 12/30/2011 6:22:17 AM PST by Wyatt's Torch (I can explain it to you. I can't understand it for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson