No, I am not forgetting the three legged stool at all. I am also not forgetting that while Reagan was honest and sincere about his beliefs in social conservatism, he was much more realistic about a President’s job.
You cannot separate Rick’s stool, which has two tiny legs and the doggoned social tree trunk - from his whole presentation. When you walk out with a sweater vest (and YES, optics DO MATTER) and then your family comes out and takes up the whole stage - and you make them a big issue - then you are making the social issues far greater a part of your entire image.
Reagan NEVER did that. His campaign had an entirely different feel, look, smell, essence than Santorums’ does. If Santorum was at all Reaganesque in any way, shape or form, I would likely support him.
He isn’t. I do not.
Unfortunately, the candidate I support is not catching fire and has a minuscule chance of winning at this point.
There are three solutions, or we get Romney. Either we go all in for Santorum, Newt and Santorum cut a deal, or Newt pulls off some kind of miracle.
It's what we're left with, I have grave doubts that Romney is a decent alternative, he is the farthest of all three from projecting the ideals Reagan stood for.