[FresnoRobert]

I agree. I like Newt too but his negative public perception (unlikability) would be the topic of the election instead of Obama’s failings. Why allow them the ability to change the conversation and put forward a candidate that has to overcome that large of an uphill climb just to get people to like him?

[CynicalBear]

>> a candidate that has to overcome that large of an uphill climb just to get people to like him?<<

Look around this country and tell me if some guy who where’s 60’s and 70’s sweater vests and has the goody, goody image he does will poll better than a guy who has a lot of the same failings as most in this country have. Santorum may poll well with the 30% of conservatives he does at this point but in the general he’s going to be excoriated.

[ansel12]

We know that Romney is totally unelectable, and that Santorum lost his Senate seat in an 18 point, epic wipe-out of unelectability.

I think that being the nominee, the conservative Newt would win in the head to head, spending equal, Presidential election.

[duckln]

Negative perception. When I see Santorum with his wife standing by his side, I see a woman with a strong back, yet she collected $350,000 from you and I for it by suing her chiropractor. Then there's his Specter active support.

And Rick supports her action with the same stubbornness that Mitt defends his signing onto insurance mandates!

Just a question, what did Santorum do before entering politics, did he ever have a job, will it be vetted?

Newt taught for years.