Romney and Paul successfully call Santorum’s conservatism into question

Washington Post ^ | February 22, 2011 | Aaron Blake

[detective]

Rick Santorum’s front-runner status in the GOP presidential race is predicated on the idea that he is the consistent conservative alternative in the field.

And that image had some serious holes poked in it at Wednesday’s debate in Arizona.

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul tag-teamed the former Pennsylvania senator much of the night, calling into question his conservatism on issues ranging from earmarks and fiscal policy to his endorsements and even what is often considered Santorum’s most solidly conservative credential — social issues.

[hoosiermama]

There is a large mormon population in AZ. Stake President just say’s be there and they all show up.

[Impy]

Scumbags.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

One really smart thing that Romney has done is he never got into these silly arguements with Ron Paul like Santorum and in 2008 Guliani did and Perry kind of did it too.

[Gene Eric]

>> THATS MY POINT.

Fair enough, FRiend.

[Tau Food]

Until last night, I had not realized that Ron Paul is just another member of Romney’s campaign organization. It has really become blatant. I had disagreed with much of what Paul was saying, but I never really realized what a political hack he has become.

[detective]

“One really smart thing that Romney has done is he never got into these silly arguements with Ron Paul like Santorum”

You don't understand. Ron Paul is working to get Romney the nomination. Ron Paul is Romney's attack dog.

Ron Paul attacks any candidate Romney sees as a threat. They can either let Ron Paul's dishonest attacks stand or they can try to respond with the truth. If they try to respond with the truth they end up on the defensive and distracted from the points they want to make.

Ron Paul spent millions of dollars on ads attacking Newt. Ron Paul viciously attacked Michelle Bachmann. Ron Paul never attacks Romney.

Ron Paul spent millions of dollars on ads calling Santorum fake. The moderator and Romney help Ron Paul attack. Santorum was forced into the defensive. This is all part of Romney's strategy.