Give the gift of Santorum for Christmas

Amazon.com ^ | 11/25/05 | Antoninus

[Antoninus]

Following is a Free Republic exclusive review of Rick Santorum's book, It Takes a Family (otherwise know as a vanity post).

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As is well-known to anyone who peruses Free Republic with any regularity, Senator Rick Santorum is headed for the political fight of his life in 2006. The lame-stream media has giddily reported polls showing him down 15-25% to challenger Bob Casey, Jr. and the homosexual lobby is already dancing on Senator Santorum's political grave--almost literally--a full year out from the election.

Sadly, even some here on FR have risen to the media bait, calling him a RINO who needs to be "taught a lesson" because he backed Arlen Specter in 2004 over primary challenger Pat Toomey. I personally think Rick was wrong to do this as well--I would have preferred that he at least remain neutral.

But it's pure idiocy for a conservative to stop supporting Senator Santorum for one questionable political decision. This is a man with an 87 lifetime rating from the ACU and one of the most outspoken and articulate members of Congress on the issues of Life and traditional marriage. Compared to the waffling losers who make up the majority of the Republican delegation in the U.S. Senate, Santorum is a font of creative ideas, fresh thinking, and clarity.

To get a better idea of the man and his positions, I encourage all Freepers to read Santorum's book, It Takes a Family.

A century ago, Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is in the life of the family, upon which in the last analysis the whole welfare of the nation rests....The nation is nothing but the aggregate of the families within its borders.” Santorum, has expanded upon TR’s sage wisdom in his book, It Takes a Family. Obviously, the title of this book has positioned it as a direct response to It Takes a Village the Big Government playbook by Senator Hillary Clinton.

It Takes a Family is a wide-ranging, thoughtful examination of the American social, moral, and intellectual landscape. Santorum’s basic thesis is that the liberal/libertarian vision for America of “No-Fault freedom” is resulting in the squandering of our heritage of social, moral, cultural, and intellectual capital. Yet, Santorum’s book is not simply a laundry list of liberal ideological and policy failures. Indeed, in an effort to be fair-minded, Santorum goes out of his way to call out some of the more liberal members of the Senate who have helped craft truly effective legislation. The book is one of those rare works that goes beyond naked partisan criticism to propose constructive and creative solutions to present and looming dilemmas.

Santorum’s work also serves as an effective apologia for the cultural conservative political agenda. Too often, Republicans are seen as little more than “cheap Democrats.” No one can accuse Senator Santorum of being part of that caucus. While he very clearly does not believe in Big Government as the solution to every problem, he recognizes that the federal and state governments can help by encouraging objectively good behavior and citizenship and discouraging destructive behavior. He is a firm proponent of the Catholic principle of subsidiarity—the philosophy of social policy that says that the fulfillment of human needs should be accomplished at the lowest possible level, and that state and federal level should assume such responsibility only as a last resort. This completely turns on its head the neo-Marxist philosophy of Big Government as the solution to every problem, no matter how small, and yet is not the anarcho-libertarian ideal of the best government is no government at all. Thus, Santorum believes that the majority of social issues plaguing the United States begin and may be solved at the most basic community level: the family.

As expected, the most effective section of Santorum’s book is that which deals with the grave moral evil of abortion. Santorum’s passion and unambiguous pro-life position comes through in his compelling description of his role as floor leader during the partial-birth abortion debates in the US Senate over the past 10 years. His recounting of his wife’s own miscarriage and the effect the debates had on one young couple in particular—who decided not to abort their baby after watching on C-SPAN—were enough to bring tears to the eyes.

I found the chapter entitled the Rule of Judges to be similarly effective, providing a concise history of how federal and state judges have gradually usurped the role of the elected legislative branches to eliminate laws that have been in place for hundreds of years and create and impose new “rights” out of thin air. This chapter should be required reading for every American who is concerned about the extra-constitutional role the federal courts have assumed over the past 40 years which have allowed pornography, abortion, and sodomy to become civil rights while all but banishing God from the public square—all without a single vote on these issues ever being cast by the people or their elected representatives.

Rick Santorum is perhaps unique among the Senate for his passion, creativity, and devotion to the traditional ideals which have helped Western civilization, and America in particular, develop and flourish. Few of the bloviators and self-important gas bags currently inhabiting that august body could have produced a book of this depth and clarity. That said, it is his very passion, clarity of vision, and his interest in lifting up traditional Democratic constituencies (union workers, underserved minority groups, low income families, African-Americans, etc.) that have made Santorum Public Enemy #1 to the hard left. Both Hillary Clinton and Barbara Boxer have been made to look foolish and extremist in debates against Santorum on the floor of the Senate and national left-wing groups will be pouring unprecedented amounts of money into the 2006 campaign to defeat him.

It would truly be a shame if the people of Pennsylvania allowed themselves to be swayed by this influx of partisan capital and a liberal media that is bound and determined to see Senator Santorum out of a job come 2006. Having read It Takes a Family, I firmly believe that if every family in Pennsylvania read this book, Santorum would be re-elected in a land-slide.

[Antoninus]

In an effort to help, I have decided to purchase several copies of It Takes a Family and give them to relatives and friends in PA as Christmas gifts. I would encourage other FReepers who have family and friends in PA to do likewise. I'd like nothing better than to watch the returns on election night and witness the groans and shrieks of the far left as Rick Santorum returns to the Senate for another 6 years.




I'd also be curious to hear opinions from other Freepers who may have already read Santorum's book.

[Antoninus]

Ping.

[tioga]

Thanks, I will check out this book.

[Antoninus]

Poing

[Third Order]

"This is a man with an 87 lifetime rating from the ACU"

Oy, look at that other guy, ole Whutshisname. 44!

[oldironsides]

Ok, here is my opinion. It probably means nothing but I was a committee person for years in Pennsylvania. We got Santorum elected and we were glad to help. Since that time watched Rick become important and move away from the very people that took him to the senate. Santorum is a conservative but the hoorah over his kids schooling and his
home in this state was not what we wanted to see. Living out of Pa and keeping a token residence is ugly. Joe Biden rides Amtrak home to Delaware all the time. It is my opinion that Santorum used many people on the way up and now that he needs them again they may not be there. I have tlked to many Republicans that say they just don't like the guy. One thing he can do is to not give speeches at the Union league in Philly sounding like a Democrat.

[Antoninus]

Santorum is a conservative but the hoorah over his kids schooling and his home in this state was not what we wanted to see.

That whole incident was a complete tempest in a teapot--an effort by his political enemies to bash him for his personal family decisions when they couldn't get him politically.

Living out of Pa and keeping a token residence is ugly. Joe Biden rides Amtrak home to Delaware all the time.

DC to Delaware is an hour on the Acela, tops. There's no comparison to traveling from DC to Western PA.

It is my opinion that Santorum used many people on the way up and now that he needs them again they may not be there. I have tlked to many Republicans that say they just don't like the guy.

Nice anecdotes, but I don't believe them. My experience has been that the Republicans who don't like Santorum are almost invariably the RINO types who are busy trying to push ALL conservatives out of the "big tent."

The man made impassioned public speeches on the floor of the US Senate decrying the greatest moral evil of our time--abortion--when few others would, knowing the groups it would p!ss off. It's hard for me to buy the idea that he's only out for himself. Sorry.

[Clintonfatigued]

Santorum may be right on the issues, but he does a poor job of making his positions appealing. Indeed, he seems determined to undermine public support for his views. His gaffes include claiming that mothers who are employed are lazy rather than responding to economic need, suggesting that the people of Boston are personally responsible for the scandal involving sexually abusive priests, claiming that vitcims of hurricane Katrina deserved what they got (ignoring the fact that many were unable to get out of New Orleans), but then refusing to denounce a GOP Congressman who is involved in a sex and abuse scandal of his own because he's a Republican.

Being a public official means not only advancing views and policies that promote the public good, but communicating them in a way that wins over the public's support. Just as a lawyer requires communication skills to win over a jury, a politician requires the same kind of skills to construct an electoral majority. Santorum is falling far, far short of displaying that ability. That, as much as anything else, is why he's trailing.

[Coleus]

thanks, i was going to buy it after i saw him on the 700 club and haven't done so, maybe now i will.

I understand his poll numbers are low, down 14%, could this be a backlash for not supporting Toomey?

[aumrl]

CUT the man a break! Biden and Santorum are apples and oranges. What family does Biden have? Does he have a wife and small children? Why not move to Del and vote for Joe? Sounds like another reason to defund amtrak.

[Antoninus]

Santorum may be right on the issues, but he does a poor job of making his positions appealing.

First off, your criticism is purely subjective. Second of all, it's not accurate. His book does quite an excellent job. I have heard him speak in public and he is also very effective via that medium as well. The only way your criticism is valid is if one's only exposure to Santorum is via the liberal media. Sadly, for many, that's the only exposure to Santorum they get.

His gaffes include ...

Oh please. Every single Senator, Represenatative, elected official and private citizen could be accused of such "gaffes." If you put any imperfect human under a microscope, you'll find a huge litany of such gaffes.

Santorum is falling far, far short of displaying that ability. That, as much as anything else, is why he's trailing.

No, he's trailing because Bob Casey Jr. is running on his daddy's name and conservatives are currently demoralized by the inactivity of the administration in DC. If the PA electorate is allowed to find out Bob Casey Jr.'s true positions on abortion and gay marriage, the polls will shift. Actually, Casey's in a bit of a tough spot on gay marriage--if he comes out in favor, he's going to p!ss off 65-70% of the PA electorate, including majorities of the Black and Hispanic votes. If he comes out strongly opposed, his support from the homo lobby will evaporate.

As for the demoralized Republican base, a lot can change between now and November 2006. If the national GOP doesn't show some fight in the next year, a lot of Republicans besides Santorum are going down.

[Antoninus]

I understand his poll numbers are low, down 14%, could this be a backlash for not supporting Toomey?

Partially. I explain a lot of it as a simple nostalgia among many PA conservative dems for Bob Casey, Sr.--one of the last good Democrats. It will be interesting to see how Casey, Jr. runs. If he campaigns right, he may lose some support on his left. If he runs left, Santorum can hit him on abortion and gay marriage.

This race will become a lot more competitive once Casey's positions become more clear. Ed Rendell kicked his butt in the Democrat primary, so don't be fooled into thinking he's invincible just based on his family name.

[Salvation]

Prayers for Santorum.

[cynicom]

Have not read it and will not vote for Santorum in 06.

[SunkenCiv]

On tonight's McLaughlin Group, the reprehensible partisan shrill shill Eleanor Clift stated her prediction that Santorum [her characterization deleted] will lose in November 2006. That got me looking here, found these recent topics (there was no second page, which has to be incorrect, but anyway):

Freep Poll (on Santorum)
	Posted by Tribune7 On Bloggers & Personal 10/27/2005 6:18:40 PM PDT · 5 replies · 134+ views County Press Sen. Rick Santorum is hated by the extreme left even to the point of them trying to turn his name into a synonym for homosexual sex. This is because he has been: A. an ineffective senator B. an effective opponent of causes they support such as gay marriage and unrestricted abortion.
PA State Treasurer Pulls Further Ahead Of U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum In Latest Poll
	Posted by Clintonfatigued On News/Activism 10/06/2005 10:54:49 AM PDT · 43 replies · 890+ views Quinnipiac University Polling Institute | October , 2005 Pennsylvania State Treasurer Robert Casey, Jr., has opened a 52 - 34 percent lead over incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum in the 2006 Senate race, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Bad news piles up on GOP, Santorum. Should he distance himself from Bush or stay loyal?
	Posted by Crackingham On News/Activism 10/09/2005 8:47:33 AM PDT · 15 replies · 441+ views Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | 10/9/5 | Maeve Reston At the end of a long stretch of bad news for Republicans, approval ratings for both President Bush and Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., plunged to new lows among Pennsylvania voters this past week -- spelling out new warning signs for Mr. Santorum that winning re-election in 2006 may be a far steeper climb than it seemed even a few months ago. It has been an unquestionably brutal summer for the president -- from waning support for the Iraq war, to the slow and almost certain death of his plan to restructure the Social Security system, to criticism over his handling...
Bono, U2 in Fundraiser for Senator Rick Santorum
	Posted by areafiftyone On News/Activism 10/10/2005 12:51:14 PM PDT · 51 replies · 1,518+ views NewsMax | 10/10/05 On Sunday, October 16, a truly unique political event will take place. Teaming up with the legendary rock group U2 for a one-night only appearance will be Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn.). The thousand-dollar-a-seat concert has been put together by Sean and Ana Wolfington and will take place at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia in support of Santorum’s reelection, reports NewsMax's James Hirsen. U2 front man Bono is no stranger to Washington, D.C. He has come often to the nation’s capital to network with politicians on behalf of his many causes. Santorum met Bono earlier this year having been introduced by...
Bono, U2 Perform in Santorum Fund-Raiser
	Posted by dangus On News/Activism 10/10/2005 10:23:07 PM PDT · 29 replies · 1,142+ views NewsMax | 10/10/05 | Carl Limbacher On Sunday, October 16, a truly unique political event will take place. Teaming up with the legendary rock group U2 for a one-night only appearance will be Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Penn.). The thousand-dollar-a-seat concert has been put together by Sean and Ana Wolfington and will take place at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia in support of Santorum’s re-election, reports NewsMax's James Hirsen. U2 front man Bono is no stranger to Washington, D.C. He has come often to the nation’s capital to network with politicians on behalf of his many causes. Story Continues Below Santorum met Bono earlier this year, having...
Rock Giants U2 Unhappy To Be Politicians' Cash Cows (Hillary and Santorum)
	Posted by areafiftyone On News/Activism 10/12/2005 11:30:38 AM PDT · 18 replies · 687+ views Yahoooooooooo via AFP | 10/12/04 WASHINGTON (AFP) - Rock giants U2 have expressed outrage that US politicians from both main parties, including Hillary Clinton, are using their concerts to fill campaign coffers. "The U2 concerts are categorically not fundraisers for any politician. They are rock concerts for U2 fans," a statement from the group's publicist said. Senator Clinton has "invited" 18 people to join her on October 19 in a luxury suite at Washington's MCI Center to see U2 play during their sold-out Vertigo tour, as long as they contribute 2,500 dollars to the Democratic Party. Luxury suites at the center cost 7,000 dollars and...
U2 distances itself from Clinton, Santorum fundraisers
	Posted by jern On News/Activism 10/12/2005 12:06:17 PM PDT · 3 replies · 304+ views LiveDaily | Oct. 12, 2005 U2 (tickets | music) concerts will be the site for the upcoming political fundraisers of two disparate U.S. senators, but the band isn't endorsing the candidates or the events. "It is not uncommon for politicians, from both parties, to organize events at all kinds of music concerts and other entertainment events," said a statement issued by Jamie Drummond, executive director of Data, the African advocacy group co-founded by U2 frontman Bono. "If any political fundraising events take place at a U2 concert, it is without the involvement or knowledge of Data, U2 or Bono. U2 concerts are categorically not fundraisers...
Top GOP senator criticizes Bush on `trust me' approach (Santorum)
	Posted by Stellar Dendrite On News/Activism 10/14/2005 5:13:15 PM PDT · 254 replies · 2,288+ views Knight Ridder via Monterey Herald | 10-14-2005 | THOMAS FITZGERALD AND CARRIE BUDOFF PHILADELPHIA - (KRT) - Americans "deserve better" than President Bush's "trust me" approach to the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers, Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., said Friday, making his sharpest critique yet amid a right-wing revolt over the pick. Santorum added, however, that he had not decided to oppose Miers and hoped to learn more about her views during confirmation hearings. "There is a lot of heat. I think there is a lot of disappointment that the president didn't put someone up there with a record we could examine," Santorum said on a local radio show. "It is what I...
White House Shifts Its Lobbying (Miers) Strategy (Santorum not thrilled with the nomination)
	Posted by Ol' Sparky On News/Activism 10/14/2005 10:45:06 PM PDT · 3 replies · 427+ views Washington Post | 10/15/05 | Peter Baker White House Shifts Its Lobbying Strategy By Peter Baker Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, October 15, 2005; Page A07
Santorum frowns on presidential Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers [A growing chorus]
	Posted by johnny7 On News/Activism 10/15/2005 4:21:13 AM PDT · 53 replies · 703+ views Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | October 15, 2005 | By James O'Toole Says Bush's nominee for nation's highest court lacks distinguished legal track recordJoining a swelling chorus of conservative unrest, U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., has expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers.During an appearance in mid-state Pennsylvania Thursday, Mr. Santorum, normally one of President Bush's most reliable Senate allies, also said that he had not made up his mind on a confirmation vote for the president's controversial nominee. "I don't know yet,'' Mr. Santorum said when asked about his confirmation decision in an interview reported by the Chambersburg Public Opinion. "But I am concerned President Bush nominated someone...
Santorum eyes GOP anti-poverty effort
	Posted by Hadean On News/Activism 10/26/2005 2:01:23 PM PDT · 1 reply · 121+ views THE WASHINGTON TIMES | October 26, 2005 | Amy Fagan Senate Republican leaders -- criticized by Democrats over their policies toward the poor in the wake of Hurricane Katrina -- will push their own anti-poverty agenda this week to encourage marriage, responsible fatherhood and private charitable giving. Democrats have repeatedly denounced Republicans' response to Katrina, including proposals for program cuts to pay for relief efforts, saying such policies would hurt the poor, including the thousands of impoverished New Orleans residents left homeless by the storm. So Senate Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum, Pennsylvania Republican, wants to highlight his party's approach to fighting poverty by offering four Republican amendments to the...
Group Holds Santorum 'Retirement Parties'
	Posted by Unam Sanctam On News/Activism 11/02/2005 4:47:18 PM PST · 9 replies · 222+ views AP | 11/2/2005 | Peter Jackson HARRISBURG, Pa. - A national political group for gays is staging mock "retirement parties" for Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio, voting record) as part of a campaign to defeat the high-ranking Republican next year. The Washington-based National Stonewall Democrats and its local chapters have signed up hosts for about 40 parties in more than a dozen states, including six in Santorum's home state of Pennsylvania. Most of the parties are scheduled for Nov. 13. Organizers say their main goal is to energize rank-and-file activists for next year's campaigns and the 2008 presidential election. Santorum, who as GOP conference chairman is...
Gays to stage celebrations of 'retirement' of Rick Santorum
	Posted by Born Conservative On News/Activism 11/04/2005 1:14:16 PM PST · 15 replies · 643+ views Morning Call/AP | 11/4/05 HARRISBURG | A national political group for gays is staging dozens of mock ''retirement parties'' for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum across the country this month as part of a campaign to mobilize activists for the 2006 elections. So far, the National Stonewall Democrats and its local chapters have signed up hosts for about 40 parties in more than a dozen states, including six in Pennsylvania and several as far away as California, organizers say. Nearly all the parties are scheduled for Nov. 13. Although the parties are expected to generate little money — the collective goal is only $5,000 —...
Election 2006 Pennsylvania: Casey 54% Santorum 34% (Rasmussen)
	Posted by RWR8189 On News/Activism 11/10/2005 1:35:33 PM PST · 34 replies · 788+ views Rasmussen Reports | November 10, 2005 The latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows that Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is continuing to lose ground in his battle for re-election. Santorum trails Democrat Bob Casey, Jr by twenty percentage points, 54% to 34%.
Keystone Poll: Casey 51% Santorum 35%
	Posted by RWR8189 On News/Activism 11/10/2005 1:54:21 PM PST · 64 replies · 1,131+ views Real Clear Politics | November 10, 2005 Vote_Sen. If the election for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senator were being held TODAY and the candidates were BobCasey, Jr. and Rick Santorum, would you vote for...March June Sept Nov2005 2005 2005 200544% 44% 50% 51% Bob Casey, Jr.43% 37% 37% 35% Rick Santorum
Bob Casey Leads Rick Santorum By 20 Points, Says Rasmussen Poll
	Posted by Clintonfatigued On News/Activism 11/10/2005 5:46:24 PM PST · 124 replies · 1,871+ views Rasumssen Reports | November 10, 2005 The latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows that Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is continuing to lose ground in his battle for re-election. Santorum trails Democrat Bob Casey, Jr by twenty percentage points, 54% to 34%.
Santorum Critical Of Bush, War In Iraq
	Posted by Sub-Driver On News/Activism 11/12/2005 5:16:19 AM PST · 200 replies · 2,473+ views CBS 3 Santorum Critical Of Bush, War In Iraq (AP) PHILADELPHIA Sen. Rick Santorum took a rare swing at President Bush, saying the war in Iraq has been less than optimal and that some blame for that lies with the White House. Santorum, a conservative Republican and usually a strong Bush ally, said the unpopularity of the war should be shared between the White House and the media. “Certainly, mistakes were made,” Santorum said of the war’s conduct. “But that’s a criticism you can make of every conflict.” The comments, made after a Veterans Day speech at the Union League in Philadelphia...
Santorum: Don't put intelligent design in classroom
	Posted by Crackingham On News/Activism 11/13/2005 3:49:41 PM PST · 657 replies · 5,828+ views Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times | 11/13/5 | Bill Vidonic U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said Saturday that he doesn't believe that intelligent design belongs in the science classroom. Santorum's comments to The Times are a shift from his position of several years ago, when he wrote in a Washington Times editorial that intelligent design is a "legitimate scientific theory that should be taught in the classroom." But on Saturday, the Republican said that, "Science leads you where it leads you." Santorum was in Beaver Falls to present Geneva College President Kenneth A. Smith with a $1.345 million check from federal funds for renovations that include the straightening and relocation of...
Incumbency no help to Santorum
	Posted by Born Conservative On News/Activism 11/21/2005 8:41:11 AM PST · 47 replies · 896+ views PennLive.com | 11/21/2005 | BRETT LIEBERMAN WASHINGTON - After 11 years in the Senate, Rick Santorum has become one of the most powerful and influential leaders in state and national politics. He boasts a close relationship with President Bush, he's the No. 3 GOP leader in the Senate, and he is frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for the White House. An incumbent running for re-election with such credentials normally would scare off most challengers and have few political worries. Yet low public approval ratings, a well-liked opponent, an increasingly unpopular president mired in an equally unpopular war, an unhappy electorate, public perceptions of ethics lapses...

[eeriegeno]

The man made impassioned public speeches on the floor of the US Senate decrying the greatest moral evil of our time--abortion--when few others would, knowing the groups it would p!ss off. It's hard for me to buy the idea that he's only out for himself.

I agree, Santorum seems to have his head screwed on the right way on the abortion issue BUT he sure does have a whole nother view of Arlen..... And his support of Specter, while I hope not, might be his downfall.....

[Tribune7]

ping

[Tribune7]

Joe Biden rides Amtrak home to Delaware all the time.

That's easy from Delaware or even Philly.

It really can't be done from Pittsburgh.

[Antoninus]

Have not read it and will not vote for Santorum in 06.

You sound like a good little closed-minded liberal. We don't need defeatist losers to help Rick get over the hump anyway.