[Josh Painter]

Santorum certainly wasn't alone in his preference for Romney over John McCain in 2008. May conservatives were desperate in 2008 for a not-McCain and rushed to embrace Romney because there were no other options at that point. So Santorum is certainly not the only conservative who was fooled by Romney's fake to his right. But he's the only one now running for president who believed Romney had become a true conservative. If Romney played him so effortlessly, what would Putin do to a President Santorum?

[lahargis]

Ugh!

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Santorum calls Romney a “true conservative”

Did I just hear a bubble burst?

[org.whodat]

Played, hell politics is politics, rush and Levin both supported Willard over McCain, the loser, then they both tried to get McCain elected. There is nothing in this but another noot attack.

[McGruff]

[b9]

If Romney played him so effortlessly, what would Putin do to a President Santorum?

Holy wow.

[ncalburt]

Do you have a shirt term memory issue ?
In 2008 ,
We all were trying to Stop McCain !
So was Rick !
Can we stop trying to destroy our only options left to fight the Marxist !
You Rick haters are getting desperate !

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Can you imagine how poor Sarah Palin felt, having to carry his water as running-mate?

[albie]

Newt has GOT to get his campaign going!

[USS Alaska]

Santorum certainly wasn't alone in his preference for Romney over John McCain in 2008. Many conservatives were desperate in 2008 for a not-McCain and rushed to embrace Romney because there were no other options at that point.

I even gave money to mittens in '08.

The thought of mcpain made my stomach hurt, but I voted for him when he got the nomination.

To go back and try to use the plaudits that Rick used to promote mittens over mcpain is really grasping at straws.

[montag813]

I and everyone else on FR wanted to stop Juan McLame in 2008. Santorum was no different.

But how many of us joined Newt Gingrich in THIS endorsement?

“The special election for the 23rd Congressional District is an important test leading up to the mid-term 2010 elections. Our best chance to put responsible and principled leaders in Washington starts here, with Dede Scozzafava.”

Newt Gingrich, 10/15/09

[albie]

Newt has GOT to get his campaign going!

[DTogo]

And Santorum will say similar things in 2012 if Romney wins the nomination: the bottom line is Obama must be defeated.

[Mike Darancette]

This is all they got? I would back Romney over McCain too. I guess the pro Romney forces are saying, “Don’t trust anyone who would support Romney, ever”.

[ontap]

Your only other choice in 2008 was McCain......I can't honestly fault Santorum on this one!!!

[Nifster]

And if you pay attention....2008 was BEFORE the TARP bailout and Obamacare and 15 TRILLION dollars of wasteful spending.

End of story

[Nifster]

Just out of curiosity who are you for???

[EricT.]

Wow. The Newt supporters sure are terrified by Santorum since their dream candidate has lost every primary but SC.

BTW, Newt is not a Conservative, he just talks like one to get elected. And he still has more baggage than the cargo hold on the Costa Concordia.

[xzins]

We now know that the author of this article, Andrew Kaczynski, is part of the Romney Slime machine. They will do anything to start a conservative buzz questioning anything about one of their opponents.

And so far conservatives have been blind enough to buy it. They thought it was the other 7 candidates attacking each other...but it turns out that much of it was either egged on by Romney or originated with him overtly or covertly.

Now we know how he operates.

Was it accidental that the ABC interview with a Gingrich ex-wife happened just before a primary in which Romney only true opponent was Gingrich? Was it coincidence that there was a connection between the Cain bimbo charges and Romney?

[cricket]

Am no fan of Santorum; but comparing the recognizeable vices of Putin; to those of Romney - and as well; going back to past Election/different time/place and context; is surely not the best way to diminish Santorum.

Was no McCain advocate either; but he did recognize the evil in Putin; whereas, GW either did not; or thought better to not speak of it publicly. Instead; President Bush saw 'kind eyes'? Or offered somesuch/similar; disconnection with reality when it came to what we know was and still is; 'evil walking'.

[jersey117]

If Romney played him so effortlessly, what would Putin do to a President Santorum?

Exactly right. And if Santorum can change his mind and change his views from the past, Romney will use the same argument about himself. Santorum supported Specter who supported obamacare. At this point, Newt is probably our best shot unless someone else jumps in at a brokered convention.