Actually, I'm not sure the voters deserve that, but I certainly think Sen. Santorum does....
A common virtue among America's Founders was a passion for liberty, and the understanding that individual liberty is a gift from the Creator, not a grant from other human beings, whether a slave master, a king, a dictator, or an elected president, congressmen, or even a judiciary in a government.
The Year 2012 may determine whether America's founding truths--as "encapsulated" (Lincoln) in her Declaration of Independence and structured into a form of self-government by her Constitution--will survive for future generations.
The only real antidote to lies is truth.
Lies about the legitimate role of government must be countered with the "self-evident" truth embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the structure of government provided by the Founders' Constitution.
That is why any candidate who aspires to become the anti-Obama candidate must arm himself/herself with the weapon of truth, as revealed in those two documents.
Ronald Reagan's real strength and authenticity lay in his deep understanding of the principles and ideas of America's Founders. This meant that somewhere along the line he had studied the writings and underlying documents by which liberty was obtained.
His easily-delivered cautions about limited government were not "talking points" or platform-based recitations. Those cautions came out of a mind and heart that were in sync with Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and the other geniuses who structured the limited government of the U. S. Constitution to protect liberty, and to bar tyrants from oppressing the people.
Reagan's eloquent speeches about a "shining city" were not mere high-sounding rhetoric, they were about deeply-held beliefs, founded in understanding of and devotion to ideas.
The 2012 candidate cannot go to combat with charisma, with popularity, with attractiveness, with rhetoric, or with popular semantic trickery. Liberty is too important to be entrusted to such a candidate.
That candidate cannot go to combat with only a shallow, second-hand knowledge of Ronald Reagan's words and ideas.
That candidate, in order to counteract the Left's attack on the Republic, must care enough to seclude himself/herself for whatever period it takes to immerse himself/herself in the ideas, writings, and speeches of the Founders of America.
Such a candidate will be able to knock down, one by one, the false and counterfeit ideas of his/her opponents.
The threats to liberty are too great, and rescue from the certain demise of the Republic rests on an "enlightened" citizenry, one that can distinguish between truth and error, between individual freedom and slavery to government, and between liberty and tyranny.
Any candidate up to the task of leading America back to the path to liberty (see Jefferson's First Inaugural) should be willing to do what it takes to arm himself/herself for that task.
Obama, with his clever political pandering, his shallow understanding of our Constitution's underlying premises, and his devotion to coercive "redistributionist" ideas will not be a successful combatant with such a well-informed candidate. He can, however, prevail over a person who only understands 20th and 21st Century talking points about cutting spending and limiting the size of government.
Who will come forth to do battle for liberty?
This should be good. Santorum should ask Newt why he decided to join the Catholic Church and then break with traditional Church doctrine by claiming that life does not begin at conception.
Gingrich has one coming up Dec. 12 with Huntsman.
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2011-2012-primary-debate-schedule/
SANTORUM CHALLENGES GINGRICH TO “LINCOLN-DOUGLAS” STYLE DEBATE - Awaiting Reply
“Awaiting reply.”
I’m sure they are trying to stop laughing. It might be a while.
Santorum does have one quality that John McCain also had in the last election...he’s dull, very dull.
“Actually, I’m not sure the voters deserve that, but I certainly think Sen. Santorum does....”
I agree. I’d also like to see Senator Santorum ask Speaker Gingrich three questions:
1. Why do you choose implantation instead of conception as the beginning of life?
2. Why would you approve abortion for incest/rape if this means killing a human being?
3. Do you accept the Teaching Magisterium of the Catholic Church? Those who want to have authority must understand its importance, right?
This turns things around on Newt. What will he do?
I keep saying a need a candidate who is bold and brave. This is a good move by Santorum. I could cast a vote for him. I’d like to see him challenge Newt in this marvelous style of debate.
(Disclosure: I live in Georgia, and Gingrich was once my Rep)
This is too good, Santorum will win a lot of support! Gingrich has everything to lose.
Good on Santorum. We need to rid the field of Newt.
NO Newt!
Here’s another poll on the GOP race that just got started, so the numbers are very skewed right now. Everyone can forward it around to anyone planning on voting in the Republican GOP primary or caucus, in an attempt to get a larger and more representative voting base:
http://micropoll.com/t/LEzBOZFlnc