Santorum acted like a petulant child thoughtout the debate.
My wife, who has little interest in politics was in the room for last night’s debate. I didn’t think she was paying attention, but after the debate was over, she said to me “ I know you don’t like Romney, but Santorum seemed too childish and angry to be President... we already have one like that. If those two were my choices, I’d vote for the one least like Obama, and that would be Romney”.
Thanks goodness I have her convinced to vote for Newt on Saturday.
Alternatively, Newt would have been my choice behind Santorum, but the way his supporters have bashed Santorum on this forum has completely turned me off to Newt. I seriously would consider Romney over him at this point with the way his supporters have ripped Santorum in order to get their guy the nomination.
“Optics” propaganda influenced your wife. Santorum is the youngest of the four so he already appears “freshman-like” simply due to appearance. Gingrich carefully cuffs him as a cub, Paul comes out and calls him a kid, and Mitt is condescending to all which for Santorum highlights the optics against him. All the other candidates know this is a tool they have in their arsenal to use against Santorum.
It is to a voter’s discredit that he/she not be aware of the type of “optics” that are uses by campaigners to draw a contrast between themselves and the other candidates.
The actual PLANS are what matters in casting a vote. Not how someone looks.
But if you want to talk about “optics” and you have said you are going to vote for Newt, what you are going to have in the debates against Obama is this: a fat, old, white guy that has a smart aleck attitude and will “optically” begin to look like a re-run of McCain’s “that one” stuff.
Yes, Newt talks a good game, but optically, he’ll be standing next to the poor, single-parent, black guy that just wants to work for the people and lift them up—and Newt is going to verbally beat up that guy and you think “optics” might not register???
Contrast that with “every day man Santorum.” He may not have black skin, but other than that “optically” Obama and Santorum match pretty well. Obama’s “poor black guy” spin will not stick so well against “grandson of immigrant” guy who says the PEOPLE have what it takes, not the government this guy over here’s been giving you for 4 years...and where has that gotten you?
You want to advocate for Newt because you think in the end, the war of words will win, but in the end, the average voter will be just like your wife, they will glance up for a moment and make a hasty decision based on what they saw, and then they will cast their vote. Newt isn’t going to win against Obama. Especially not after the DNC gets done throwing dirt. If Clinton could get Newt to back down, if Pelosi could get Newt on the couch, there is some serious dirt lurking that is going to rock the campaign.
Come on, South Carolina!!!!! Really think this thing through!! Don’t vote in vengeance for the guy that is going to say what you want to say yourself to Obama! Vote for the guy that is going to do FOR America what you wish you could do!!! That is Santorum.
Funny, but when I was listening to Rush today, he said his conservative friends said that this was Santorum’s best debate. Maybe Rush’s friends look more at substance than feelings, or personality traits.
But as long as you don’t vote for Romney, it’s OK, but PLEASE do some more research first, so you make the very best choice.