I just can't be that forgiving.
Yes, he lost a lot of his base for doing what he did last year. So, how does he recover? By making it up by doing the right thing consistently and convincingly? Nope. He does the opposite. He went further to the left -- to do and say ANYTHING -- to try to win again.
And he is perfectly comfortable doing and saying anything in order to win. What won't he do? What accommodation won't he make if it is to his political benefit? That does make him a politician in every cynical and worst sense of the word and as such, not worthy of my time, money, effort, or vote again.
His latest touch -- He voted against increased border patrol agents. Nice going, Ricky.
Is it simply an advanced case of Potomac Fever causing a good guy to go bad? The more that I see from him, the less I am sure that he ever was a conservative. Puritanical? Sure, but hardly conservative.
I have come to believe that he merely played a role and admittedly, did so convincingly. He rode the conservative wave to where he is and now he feels safe enough to be who he really is. I also believe that he seriously miscalculated the anger he engendered.
No, I can't prove it, but he sure seems to be trying to prove me right.
I'm not suggesting you be that forgiving. Particularly for his betrayal of Toomey, and the fact that he went all out for Spector coupled with his arrogant comments regarding his behavior after the election (i.e. Sometimes people have to take one for the party), I will not be voting for Rick this time around. It's time for Rick to take one, for the conservative cause.
Other conservative politicians will then realize, their supporters aren't working for their election for NOTHING only to be forgotten and ignored after they win. We expect to be rewarded for our hardwork.
I do believe the first politician Santorum ever worked for was pro-choice. That says it all right there. For Santorum, politics comes first.
"He rode the conservative wave to where he is and now he feels safe enough to be who he really is."
He'll compromise his principles to save his career.
"I also believe that he seriously miscalculated the anger he engendered."
Absolutely.