Megyn Kelly’s Panel Has Some Advice For Santorum: ‘Stop Writing Ads For The Obama Campaign’

On Monday, America Live host Megyn Kelly invited a panel made up of radio host David Webb and Gotham Ghostwriters president / Democratic strategist Dan Gerstein onto the show to discuss candidate Rick Santorum‘s recent comments concerning Barack Obama‘s values and faith. You may recall that, while speaking at a Christian conference on Saturday, Santorum criticized Obama’s moral compass and suggested the President’s agenda was based on a “phony theology” not based on the Bible.

The next say, Santorum appeared on Face the Nation, where he clarified that he hadn’t been talking about the President’s faith, nor about religion convictions at all.

Webb, for one, believes that, in context, Santorum had been referring to the President’s “belief system” rather than his religion. But “what he doesn’t do well,” Webb pointed out, “is stop writing ads for the Obama campaign.” Santorum was merely playing to the Christian crowd, he continued explaining, “and that’s dumb, Megyn. You’ve got to focus on the Obama administration’s jobs record, on its economy record. Focus on those things and stop playing to the crowd.”

Gerstein, meanwhile, feels Santorum’s “phony theology” comment amounts to a personal attack because — whether or not it was meant in a religious context — it sought to question the President’s motivations. Both panelists agreed that Santorum and the rest of the GOP field would do well to avoid attacking the President personally because it’ll result in alienating Independent voters come the general election. The key strategy? Again: going after Obama’s record, particularly where jobs are concerned.

Kelly then pointed out that Santorum seemed to be characterizing Obama’s “belief system” as one based on big government. Gerstein, who has worked with Santorum staffers and praises the candidate as a “man of conviction,” agreed with Kelly’s assessment, adding that this line of thinking will ultimately cost Santorum the election.

Kelly and Gerstein disagreed, however, when it comes to holding Santorum accountable for comments made by his supporters and/financial backers — namely, of course, Foster Friess. Kelly didn’t think it fair to compare Friess’ relationship to Santorum to that of Obama and Rev. Jeremiah Wright. “He sat in the pew for twenty years!” she said of Obama. “Foster Friess is just giving [Santorum] dough!”

As to unions:

I tend to agree with Santorum in this area. Where public sector unions have shown to have had a terribly adverse effect on our nations economy and it’s well being, many private sector unions deliver a net positive to the same.

I am no fan at all of union deals such as UAW who although involved with a private enterprise, were allowed to attain a position where they brought down the entire company. The real villains in that deal was our government’s meddling and the complete cowards who were the managers. Had GM been allowed to go into bankruptcy, the union deal would have expired.

Would you really want a nuclear power plant that was built by electricians that somebody found in the phone book whose expertise up until that point was wiring houses? Who built the forms for the concrete that was poured in that same structure, “Joe’s Construction”or maybe “ABC Carpentry”? Whoever is the lowest bidder, right?

Or, how about that new nuke powered aircraft carrier, do you really think that “Franks Discount Plumbing” is up to the task of fitting all of the steam piping that will be required? Would you want your kid being deployed on that thing?

I’ve been in the construction industry for over 40 years and in that time, there are a few things that I’ve learned about trade unions. First, and probably most important, the schools. Every new employee MUST not only attend the schools (sometimes for years) but they MUST pass the tests in order to remain and MUST be able to demonstrate what they have learned in their work in order to advance. Where else would we get electricians, plumbers, pipe fitters, carpenters and other tradesmen?

My brother-in-law has been a union electrician for many years. His company is in the business of shutting down nuclear power plants, participating in the maintenance, and then restarting the plant. He learned how to do this while he was in the union.

The next time you are driving on an interstate highway and you cross over one of the many overpasses, think about who built that bridge. Was it Jose’ and his merry band of immigrants? Or was it guys from the Locals whose work has been scrutinized over and over again?

There are many things these guys aren’t suited for and are totally unneeded. Residential and light commercial don’t require that level of expertise or that level of wage scale to accomplish. That’s like having a MD fill your tooth.

I just hope my nightmare doesn’t come true. That is the socially conservative candidate who leans to the left on economic issues. A true 1930’s New Deal Democrat. So if Santorum gets the nod, we end up with a Democrat primary circa 1976 in November. The Democrats dominated for decades with leftist economic policies because both parties did not differ on the social issues up until the late 60’s, and even then the New Left did not gain politically until the mid 70’s. This primary season could be the death knell for the free market.

It is always okay as long as the right is shut down on any social issues. As long as the Democrats control that narrative which is always a death culture immoral position they will continue to be in control no matter who the President is.

The economy is one of the top issues, but it isn’t the only issue. The media is going to pump Obama up with false economy reports from here to election day. Many people believe those lies, so the GOP should have more tools in the box.

The trick for the GOP candidates will be how adept they can be at a balanced message without letting the media and the left control their whole message.

Greetings RitaOK:

In my trade union, IUOE, it’s very likely 80% of the membership leans conservative. We enjoy using our minds operating machinery as we get our hands dirty overcoming the fuzzy math skills of our hopelessly desk bound geeky brethren. (Just kidding desk bound geeks.)

My local IUOE PAC, unlike many labor unions, is funded when we write a personal check to fund the PAC. And when our local makes a bad decision over which politician we ought to support, we vote with our PAC donations. Or lack of PAC donations.

Our pension funds are invested in projects good for the construction trades and the USA; such as heavy industries, shopping centers, etc. Needless to say, 0bama and the democRats have been a disaster for our trade.

‘Nuff said. Thanks for your contributiuon to the discussion.

Cheers,
OLA

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