Brenham Ranch Surprise: Rick Santorum Endorsed by 150 Evangelical Leaders

Catholic Online ^ | 1/14/12 | Keith A Fournier

[tcg]

Will the Brenham Ranch, owned by former Judge Paul Pressler, be looked back upon as the place where the plans for a Republican coronation were upset? Will it mark the beginning of a surge of support for the candidacy of former Senator Rick Santorum for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination?

It was at that ranch that 150 evangelical Protestant Christian leaders met to choose a candidate whom they could all unite behind. Speculation over the meeting, who attended it, and who would receive the nod of support from among former Governor Rick Perry, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, has filled the blogosphere. It has also provided fodder for the mainstream media.

On Saturday afternoon, January 14, 2012, the speculation ended. Tony Perkins, the President of the Family Research Council and a spokesman for the group emerged to report the results. With a strong showing of over 2/3 of the vote, the leaders chose to endorse - and place their formidable resources behind - former Senator Rick Santorum as the Republican nominee.

This vital endorsement of these major evangelical leaders came on the heels of the endorsement of a group of Catholics called "Catholic Vote" just last week. Santorum's strong support among Catholics is well known. It is also growing.

[.30Carbine]

I don’t interpret it that way. I think it is saying that the only way governments “do” poverty is with collectivism, socialism, Communism. If I were to extrapolate the thought that paragraph leaves hanging, I would write about the Church and her role in the world, i.e., Christian charity. That’s how I read that.

[DoughtyOne]

The sad thing for me, is that I would love to support someone with Newt’s knowledge of the Constitution and his ability to present information about it and debate like he does. Sadly, I can’t. I too note the things he has done. I don’t like it, but I must.

If I can’t be honest with myself, how can I be honest with others?

Newt is a no-go for me. He has nobody to blame but himself for it too.

[JSDude1]

Why don’t we just pick the one who MIGHT draw support away from Newt and ensure a Romney victory??

I like Santorum (and was a Santorum supporter untill last week, but Newt CAN beat Romney, Santorum I am afraid cannot). Go Newt!

[Utmost Certainty]

It basically means that Rick Santorum is a collectivist big government statist who values wealth redistribution. See it in his own words, 2nd quote:

"This whole idea of personal autonomy, well I don’t think most conservatives hold that point of view. Some do. They have this idea that people should be left alone, be able to do whatever they want to do, government should keep our taxes down and keep our regulations low, that we shouldn’t get involved in the bedroom, we shouldn’t get involved in cultural issues. You know, people should do whatever they want. Well, that is not how traditional conservatives view the world and I think most conservatives understand that individuals can’t go it alone." [Source]

"What was my vision? I came to the uncomfortable realization that conservatives were not only reluctant to spend government dollars on the poor, they hadn’t even thought much about what might work better. I often describe my conservative colleagues during this time as simply ‘cheap liberals.’ My own economically modest personal background and my faith had taught me to care for those who are less fortunate, but I too had not yet given much thought to the proper role of government in this mission." –Rick Santorum, p. IX It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good (2005)

"I suspect some will dismiss my ideas as just an extended version of ‘compassionate conservatism.’ Some will reject what I have said as a kind of ‘Big Government Conservatism.’ Some will say that what I’ve tried to argue isn’t conservatism at all. But I believe what I’ve been presenting is the genuine conservatism our Founders envisioned. One that fosters the opportunity for all Americans to live as we are called to live, in selfless families that contribute to the general welfare, the common good." –Rick Santorum, p. 421 It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good (2005)

[EternalVigilance]

Rick Santorum has defended the fundamental human right to life from conception to natural death for years - without compromise.

Well, except when he hasn't.

[EternalVigilance]

I’m an evangelical, and these would-be king-makers don’t represent me.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I had far more respect for Santorum a week ago than I do now. This guy is no conservative. He has spent months fooling all of us.

I think I'd rather have Romney. At least we don't expect a whole lot with him and all one has to do is read Santorum's own words and we know he thinks it's the job of government to redistribute wealth.

He''s a typical socialistic Catholic but at least he votes Republican because he is pro-life. The problem is that to many Catholics, they believe that the desire of Democrats to redistribute wealth trumps the protecting of unborn life.

[true believer forever]

Have you noted some of the things Santorum has done?

RICK SANTORUM

Mr.Blue-Collar. Not.

Santorum is one of the most corrupt politicians in recent memory... he repeatedly sponsored laws giving very specific help to companies -- worth millions of dollars -- and they immediately gave him large campaign donations and -- after he left the Senate -- hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. He was twice named one of America's 3 most corrupt senators by CREW, a clean-government group, and has become a millionaire from payments by these companies since he was voted out of the Senate in 2006.

In 2006, Santorum steered millions of dollars in earmarks to clients of American Continental Group, a lobbying firm. They gave him $14,000 that year in donations, and after he left office paid him $65,000 for “legislative policy consulting services.” Another firm he helped, Consol Energy, paid him $142,500 just in 2010 and 2011.

While in Congress, Santorum kept pushing very specific laws increasing Medicare payments in Puerto Rico; one would have cost the government $400 million. (The eventual bill gave them more money, but not that much.)

Santorum, who entered the Senate as one of the least wealthy congresspeople, bought a $2 million, 5,000 SF house in Great Falls, VA in 2007.

While in the Senate, Santorum held weekly meetings supporting Tom Delay's "K-Street Project," an effort to fill lobbying groups with Republican loyalists.  In 2006, he received $500,000 from lobbyists, far more than any other federal candidate -- 40% more than the #2 recipient, George Allen.

Santorum introduced a bill that required the National Weather Service to keep collecting weather data, and hand it over to private weather companies, who would make the profit off of it.  Accuweather, a private weather company in Santorum's state, gave him tens of thousands of dollars during the time he promoted this absurd bill.

There are many more examples -- $25,000 from execs at Waste Management & Processes, Inc. after Santorum proposed a $100 million subsidy for their coal-to-diesel plant;  $20,000 from tobacco interests around the time he blocked a law allowing the FDA to regulate tobacco, etc. etc.

It's pretty shameless...

even by Congressional standards.

Sources  1.    Santorum's Skeleton Closet  http://www.realchange.org/santorum.htm 2.   Santorum Becomes Millionaire in Six Years After Senate Loss, by Heidi Przybyla and Julie Bykowicz, Bloomberg News Service, in San Francisco Chronicle, January 6, 2012 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/01/05/bloomberg_articlesLXB3FG1A74E9.DTL&ao=all 3.   After Santorum Left Senate, Familiar Hands Reached Out, by Mike McIntire and Michael Luo, New York Times, January 5, 2012http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/us/politics/after-senate-santorums-beneficiaries-became-benefactors.html 4.   Beyond Delay: The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and five to watch), CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington), 2006 http://www.citizensforethics.org/page/-/PDFs/Reports/Most%20Corrupt%20Reports/Most%20Corrupt%20Report%202006%20-%20Beyond%20Delay%20Report.pdf?nocdn=1 5.  Beyond Delay: The 13 Most Corrupt Members of Congress, CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington), 2005 http://www.citizensforethics.org/page/-/PDFs/Reports/Most%20Corrupt%20Reports/Most%20Corrupt%20Report%202005%20-%20Beyond%20DeLay%20Report.pdf?nocdn=1

*******************************************************

Santorum charity for the poor spent most of its money on management, political friends

"Before it folded in 2007, the foundation raised $2.58 million, with 39 percent of that donated directly to groups helping the needy. By industry standards, such philanthropic groups should be donating nearly twice that, from 75 to 85 percent of their funds. “That’s exceptionally poor,” Ken Berger, president of Charity Navigator, a national organization that rates charitable groups, said of the group’s giving. “We would tell donors to run with fear from this organization.”"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/santorum-charity-for-the-poor-spent-most-of-its-money-on-management-political-friends/2012/01/11/gIQAGDKVwP_story_1.html

[Utmost Certainty]

Rick Santorum has defended the fundamental human right to life from conception to natural death for years - without compromise.

You mean, like when Santorum endorsed pro-abortionist Arlen Specter who has a 0% NRLC rating?

I can respect that Santorum made a strategic decision by doing so (or so it's said), but let's acknowledge that he definitely made a compromise on his morals there. And for a guy who's running on his so-called impeccable moral values… well, it just looks bad.

[.30Carbine]

Your quotes are from 2005, and not very specific. I actally find myself in a position of wondering how we will ever transition out of the Nanny state we have become. (Do you have a vision for that, UC?)

This is what’s on his Website today:

RESTORING AMERICA’S GREATNESS
PROMOTING FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY

Reining in Spending and Reforming Government Entitlements for Sustainable and Better Solutions for America’s Families and Future

Living Within Our Means: Cutting $5 trillion over 5 years

Spending Core Principles

Live within our means so that America, our families, and our future generations will have a brighter future unburdened with oppressive debt and high taxation.
Prioritize our national security and defense
Refocus the federal government on constitutional priorities and parameters
Consolidate duplicative programs and agencies
Promote competition for provision of essential services
Eliminate outdated, ineffective, and wasteful programs
Empower State and Local Governments through partnership, block grants, and reserving functions for the States
Reform and Modernize Medicare since reducing healthcare costs is a prerequisite for our long term success and economic strength
Reforming Social Security which is essential for solvency, sustainability, and real retirement security
Proposals

Commit to cut $5 trillion of federal spending within 5 years.
Implement Strong America Now reform through Lean Six Sigma management process as a key engine for cutting government waste and improving efficiency.
Immediately reduce federal (non-defense discretionary spending) to 2008 levels through across the board spending cuts.
Freeze defense spending levels for 5 years and reject automatic cuts.
Freeze spending levels for social programs for 5 years such as Medicaid, Housing, Education, Job Training, and Food Stamps, time limit restrictions, and block grant to the States like in Welfare Reform.
Repeal and Replace ObamaCare with market based healthcare innovation and competition to improve America’s and Americans health, control costs, improve quality and access, and to keep and create jobs which provide resources for healthcare.
Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution capping government spending at 18% of GDP so that Congress and the President will need to balance the budget like Governors are required to do.
Pass legislation to reform the Congressional Budget Process and support legislation to require Congress to pass constitutionally required spending bills on time or not get paid the next fiscal year. 
Implement Medicare Reforms and Innovation proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan and speed up their implementation to control healthcare costs and improve quality.
Reform Social Security and place on a sustainable path by a combination of reforms such as addressing adjusting CPI, dependent benefits and disability income benefits reforms, moving back the retirement age for younger workers, means testing benefits, annual adjustments as needed, and dedicating Social Security payroll taxes to Social Security.
Implement reforms and cost savings of up to $100 billion in March 2011 GAO report requested by Senator Coburn listing 34 areas of duplication and waste.
Stop implementation of any remaining federal stimulus spending.
Freeze pay for non-defense related federal employees for four years, cut workforce by 10% with no compensatory increase in contract workforce, and phase out defined benefit plans for newer workers.
Eliminate all energy subsidies and most agriculture subsidies within four years.
Eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood and use half of the dollars to support adoption instead.
Cut EPA resources for job killing regulations and return focus to commonsense conservation and safe and clean air and water.
Cut in half the number of State Department USAID employees and US funding for United Nations programs.
Eliminate funding for implementation of Dodd/Frank regulatory burdens.
Eliminate funding for implementation of ObamaCare.
Cut funding for National Labor Relations Board for decision preventing airplane factory in South Carolina.
Eliminating funding for United Nations’ agencies which oppose America’s interests and promote abortion and cut the US contribution to the UN in half.
Phase out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac within five years.
Sell unproductive and wasteful federal properties.
Transition Team will review all spending cut proposals and restructuring reforms of the Heritage Foundation, CATO Institute, American Enterprise Institute, and the Simpson-Bowles Commission for additional savings.

[Lauren BaRecall]

[Utmost Certainty]

Santorum, Newt, and Perry all have comparable plans for slashing government largesse and reversing the nanny state (though Newt has the best tax plan by far, even compared to Ron Paul). I have no doubt that all 3 are solid in this respect.

But for me, it ultimately comes down to force of personality and articulation, insofar as who I can see is the best for waging war against Liberalism, can win against Romney, and ultimately defeat Obama. That's why I support Newt.

[Afronaut]

Nobody can win the Presidency with a pullover sweater vest.

You can quote me.

[matthew fuller]

Dr. Tim LaHaye apparently didn’t get the message (He got left behind) and just endorsed Newt Gingrich!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2833031/posts

[Cobra64]

Sorry to hear this. Nice guy but I don’t believe Santorum can beat Obama.

Very true my FReind.

Gingrich is the only candidate that can take the fight to the sitting White House illegal alien, Keynsian, Kenyan, Marxist, Chicago thug.

We need a fighter. If Gingrich gets angry (as we all are seeing America in her death throws), takes off the gloves, so much the better. We need the likes of Generals Patton, Leslie Groves, and Curtis LeMay to save our country.

We can't afford another namby-pamby, wishy-washy, indecisive, casper milque toast, weasle.

This is our last chance to save our Republic.

[matthew fuller]

"This is our last chance to save our Republic. "

You got that right. If we screw this election up, it is likely our last ever election. We have already seen how much Obama has trashed our Constitution- If he gets in again, we can forget about the Constitution, elections, etc...

[grey_whiskers]

I think I'd rather have Romney. At least we don't expect a whole lot with him and all one has to do is read Santorum's own words and we know he thinks it's the job of government to redistribute wealth.

So you *were* a Dem troll all along, pushing Perry to divide and conquer whatever *real* conservatives were in the race?

Noted.

[Lauren BaRecall]

Well, you must have not seen Santorum fighting in the Senate for the partial birth abortion ban.

[patriot08]

Before we all get on Santorum’s band wagon, we need to know what his voting record is.

This is just some of the worst of it:

RICK SANTORUM

VOTED AGAINST INCREASING THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00201

VOTED TO ALLOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO RECEIVE THE EARNED INCOME CREDIT BEFORE BECOMING CITIZENS
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00154

VOTED TO GIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=105&session=1&vote=00058

SANTORUM: TRIM SOCIAL SECURITY NOW- EVEN IF PAINFUL.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j7O34Bpp42k-IlMMNiOLBkYF2zNw?docId=b1cff9ecefe24ca6ae1764a09761e361

VOTED TO GIVE WELFARE BENEFITS TO NATURALIZED CITIZENS without regard to to the earnings of their sponsors
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=104&session=1&vote=00427

VOTED AGAINST HIRING AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 BORDER PATROL AGENTS, paid for by reductions in state grants.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00179

VOTED AGAINST FOOD STAMP REFORM
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00353

VOTED AGAINST MEDICAID REFORM
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00352

VOTED TO INCREASE THE SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT FROM $1 BILLION to $2 BILLION
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=1&vote=00302

VOTED TO RAID SOCIAL SECURITY instead of using surpluses to pay down the debt.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00056

VOTED TO IMPOSE A UNIFORM FEDERAL MANDATE ON STATES TO FORCE THEM TO ALLOW CONVICTED RAPISTS, ARSONISTS, DRUG KINGPINS AND ALL OTHER EX-CONVICTS TO VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00031

It’s going to be Romney or Newt or by a slim chance, Santorum.

VOTED AGAINST INCREASING THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS?
VOTED TO GIVE WELFARE BENEFITS TO NATURALIZED CITIZENS?
VOTED AGAINST HIRING AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 BORDER PATROL AGENTS?
VOTED AGAINST FOOD STAMP REFORM?
VOTED AGAINST MEDICAID REFORM?

People NEED to know this about Santorum’s voting record.

Newt is NOT my first choice, and I can’t say I like him that much.
I just feel it will take a man of Newt’s bravery, (yes, bravery. Newt’s right. The others are too timid to debate Obama) intellect, experience and debating skills to bring the Marxist/Muslim down.
Have we all forgotten his smack-downs of his RINO opponents and the Obama butt-licking interviewers?
All agree he’s the most intelligent, experienced and the most skilled at debating- even the Obama loving Media.

Obama is going to have a billion dollars in this campaign fund, the commie MSM in his back pocket, he’ll use the same same voter fraud methods, and illegal overseas contributiions as he did in ‘08.
Do you think the rats are going to let the commie coup they they have hoped for for generations slip through their fingers??
The fight is going to be the hardest fought and the dirtiest in U.S history.
We have GOT to have a STRONG man with the experience, intellect and debating skills to go up against Obama- or America is doomed.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Drats, you figured it out!! We can’t put anything over on you, can we? You’re too smart. :)