Perhaps it wouldn’t be so silly if you would open your mind to the notion that perhaps Santorum’s strategy was brilliant AND that Rush’s nudge was a big factor. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Besides, the idea that Rush might have to do a mea culpa is far more interesting of an article than talking about Santorum’s strategy, though both may be totally valid points.
I agree with your piece. For those who isten to Rush with a practiced ear, honed over many years or decades of regular listening, he is now fully on board with Santorum. He played his cards a little closer to the vest as long as Bachmann and Perry were still in the race, making frequent proclamations that they, plus Santorum, were the “true” conservatives in the race.
Rush was warming up to Newt a little bit after a few of Newt’s better debate performances. It was when Newt started the attack on Romney about his role at Bain that Newt completely lost whatever chance Rush was willing to give him.
For Rush to look more deeply into the supposed conservatism he imparts to Santorum, and his wholesale write-off of Newt’s candidacy, would require time and effort that I don’t believe Rush is willing to expend. Rush has acknowledged for the most part that he didn’t even bother to watch hardly any of the debates. He’s just not that into it.
These days, unless it’s about marketing tea, playing golf, or watching football, I’m unconvinced that Rush has much interest or passion in anything else, including politics. As a Rush fan of nearly twenty years, it’s been sad to observe. I still listen every day, mostly out of habit and out of a genuine affection for the guy. But it’s been several years since I felt like Rush knew a lot more about the issues and the players than I do.
I look for Rush to wait until the contest is down to Romney and Santorum (if it keeps going the way it appears to be going), at which time he will formally endorse Santorum. As a Newt supporter, saying this brings me no joy.