Free Republic
Browse · Search
GOP Club
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

In Iowa, Santorum previews ‘blue collar’ pitch for 2016
The Washington Post ^ | January 24, 2015 | Robert Costa

Posted on 01/24/2015 11:46:01 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

DES MOINES -- Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum began the 2012 presidential race here trailing badly in both the polls and the money chase, and ended it with a narrow win in the Republican caucuses. Now he's gearing up for another shot at victory in Iowa with a message that's once again geared at courting social conservatives, positioning himself as an alternative to the GOP establishment -- and appealing to disaffected working class voters.

Santorum, wearing a navy Air Force One jacket from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, worked the lobby at the Marriott hotel here Friday night, passing out copies of his latest book, “Bella’s Gift” -- about his daughter who was born with a genetic disorder -- and huddling with tea party leaders.

Later Saturday, he's scheduled to address the Iowa Freedom Summit, a gathering attended by grassroots activists and hosted by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), an immigration hard-liner and central player in the movement right.

But Santorum, 56, said his message for a possible 2016 campaign goes beyond touting his conservative views on marriage and abortion. In recent weeks, he said, he has begun to organize a national finance network, and honed his pitch on economic opportunity....

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


TOPICS: Iowa; Campaign News; Issues; Parties
KEYWORDS: 2016; 2016gopprimary; economy; iowa; iowafreedomsummit; santorum; santorum2016
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last
Is there no work for mediocre lawyers these days?
1 posted on 01/24/2015 11:46:02 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

I cant believe ole frothy is seriously thinking of running again!

ROFL!

What a complete joke! I bet he doesn’t even brake 1% in the polls


2 posted on 01/24/2015 12:10:21 PM PST by TexasFreeper2009 (Obama lied .. the economy died.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
maybe, perhaps if one has mesothelioma, or some other prescription drug caused disease, seems to be no end of those commercials.
3 posted on 01/24/2015 12:12:08 PM PST by annieokie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Where’s my sweater vest ?


4 posted on 01/24/2015 12:12:38 PM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (Rip it out by the roots.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

I really don’t see any openings for a Santorum Presidency.
The majority of Americans will not elect an actual social conservative, strong borders, charter school supporting president. Polls and tradition say many of us want this, but voters indicate otherwise. Sort of a Cafeteria Conservative attitude.


5 posted on 01/24/2015 12:15:14 PM PST by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Ricky speaks,

and all the reindeer on his sweater not their heads in assent.


6 posted on 01/24/2015 12:25:29 PM PST by PlateOfShrimp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PlateOfShrimp

nod their heads


7 posted on 01/24/2015 12:25:50 PM PST by PlateOfShrimp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: lee martell

8 posted on 01/24/2015 12:36:53 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

I just don’t see him gaining traction as a front runner. VP perhaps - he could help with motivating the Evangelical vote and help with Pennsylvania.


9 posted on 01/24/2015 12:39:14 PM PST by Menthops (If you are reading this..... the GOPe hates you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Is there no work for mediocre lawyers these days?

Not when their ability to get the job done dips below a certain percentile; then they have to turn to politics. Trouble is, the minute they stop running for office, people inexplicably stop sending them money… and they seem to like having money regardless of whatever they may say concerning it. So they run, and run, and run.

I used to cut Rick Santorum slack, but that stopped in 2012, after I saw the list (which pops up on FR from time to time) of his actual votes. After confirming the information to be true, I concluded that Rick had been playing conservatives for fools.

And now he comes back to Iowa, the land of 10,000 rubes. (Again!) Well, why not? When an unsuccessful mediocre lawyer is willing to fleece well-meaning but rather naive Christians, he goes where the well-meaning but rather naive Christians are.

Mr. niteowl77

10 posted on 01/24/2015 1:04:11 PM PST by niteowl77 (The five stages of Progressive persuasion: lecture, nudge, shove, arrest, liquidate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Menthops

He lost in PA...big.


11 posted on 01/24/2015 1:05:05 PM PST by ez (RIP America 1776-2014. Long live the oligarchy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Tancredo endorsed him out of that field.


12 posted on 01/24/2015 1:11:08 PM PST by ObamahatesPACoal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Have been watching the C-Span live. John Bolton was great. Scott Walker disappointing. Ben Carson superb presentation. Rick Santorum - switched channels.

Waiting for Ted Cruz.


13 posted on 01/24/2015 1:25:26 PM PST by sodpoodle (Life is prickly - carry tweezers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: niteowl77
I used to cut Rick Santorum slack, but that stopped in 2012, after I saw the list (which pops up on FR from time to time) of his actual votes. After confirming the information to be true, I concluded that Rick had been playing conservatives for fools.

Not sure that Rick is clever enough to "play" anyone as a "fool."

The fact is that he is not really a "social conservative." Opposing usurpation of power in Washington is a profoundly important social issue--the preservation of the intended American political experience is dependent on that. Rick is more apt to simply try to refocus that usurpation on his issues, rather than have the discipline to address those issues in the proper State, local & social forums.

Another danger, even on the social issues where most of us would agree with Rick, even apart from his misdirection in seeking remedies; is that he comes across as simply opinionated, without showing any understanding of how to win over anyone who does not already agree with him. The contrast between a Rick Santorum & a Ted Cruz on any issue, is on a Mount Rushmore scale! Cruz being the mountain side, versus s small rock falling of the unsculpted background

14 posted on 01/24/2015 1:51:12 PM PST by Ohioan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Eric in the Ozarks

“Where’s my sweater vest ?”

This time he’s going to clobber Cruz with the Penn Hills Sweaterskirt!


15 posted on 01/24/2015 1:54:32 PM PST by RS_Rider (I hate Illinois Nazis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

So who should he have endorsed, McCain (who had basically already won at that point)? Ron Paul? Huckabee? Those were the only 4 candidates still in the race on Feb 1 (Romney would exit just days later), none of them were good, so I fail to see why this is a good thing to attack Santorum for.


16 posted on 01/24/2015 2:07:14 PM PST by Impy (They pull a knife, you pull a gun. That's the CHICAGO WAY, and that's how you beat the rats!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Ohioan
Not sure that Rick is clever enough to "play" anyone as a "fool."

Well, we are talking about Iowa… where common sense has long since become passé.

Then again, the rest of the nation is moronic enough to still allow this herd of gullible mediocrities to hold the first caucuses. Rick may once again be the choice of those who steadfastly refuse to carefully scrutinize the real record of anyone who is adept at invoking certain dogmas.

Mr. niteowl77

17 posted on 01/24/2015 2:46:29 PM PST by niteowl77 (The five stages of Progressive persuasion: lecture, nudge, shove, arrest, liquidate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: ObamahatesPACoal; 2ndDivisionVet
Tancredo endorsed him out of that field.

When???

At the beginning, middle or end of the Primary Process?

Everything has context.
18 posted on 01/24/2015 3:01:02 PM PST by SoConPubbie (Mitt and Obama: They're the same poison, just a different potency)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: SoConPubbie

Whenever it was: out of Romney’s Team, McCain’s Team and Huckabee’s team, Romney was more conservative.


19 posted on 01/24/2015 3:05:31 PM PST by ObamahatesPACoal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: ObamahatesPACoal

When interviewed on MSNBC about his anti-Christie PAC, that’s what Tancredo said just a few months ago.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/inside-tom-tancredos-stop-chris-christie-pac


20 posted on 01/24/2015 3:06:24 PM PST by ObamahatesPACoal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 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
GOP Club
Topics · Post Article

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