Fortunes Turn, as Does Style, for Santorum (New York Times)

New York Times ^ | 14 March 2012 | KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

[AmericanInTokyo]

SAN JUAN, P.R. — The pickup truck that carried him through Iowa is long gone, replaced by a small motorcade of S.U.V.’s. There was a police escort, and a phalanx of Secret Service agents.

The sweater vest was gone, at least for the day, and Rick Santorum, the winner of the last two presidential primaries, was smartly turned out, in a dark suit and power tie, when he held a half-hour private meeting with Gov. Luis G. Fortuño of Puerto Rico.

The two men did not take questions from reporters, but allowed photographers to capture the moment. With the cameras whirring, and sitting side by side in formal chairs, the two could have been in the Oval Office...

[AmericanInTokyo]

Not too shabby coverage from an unspected source. I'll take it. Course, it might bring out some envy in some people, but I can dig it, I can handle it.

You get more flak when you are over the target.

Man, oh Man do I ever hope this CONSERVATIVE wins the Puerto Rico Republican primary elections on this coming Saturday, I think "Big Ricky" is getting enough good local coverage down there, hitting the evangelical churches, working man restaurants, public areas and what not in sunny San Juan.....

[AmericanInTokyo]

Ping!

[Tennessee Nana]

Ive been in San Juan a few times

I always visit the old Spanish fort...

Incredible building...

[Tennessee Nana]

Ive been in San Juan a few times

I always visit the old Spanish fort...

Incredible building...

[Pietro]

I'm sure Santorum praised his favorite Puerto Rican:

Roberto Clemente!!!

[BobL]

Any particular reason that Puerto Rico, Guam, or other territories have primaries, when they don’t vote in the general election - or am I missing something?

[mgist]

Rick’s got the Catholic vote, and Latino’s are going to love him.this Obama Care mandate was a blessing in disguise!!! Thank you God.

[mgist]

Rick’s got the Catholic vote, and Latino’s are going to love him.this Obama Care mandate was a blessing in disguise!!! Thank you God.

[bert]

-——The sweater vest was gone,-——

A sweater vest is not really needed in Puerto Rico. Winter is about over and the vests are no longer needed anywhere.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wife and I will see him at Osage Beach tomorrow.

[MulberryDraw]

He referred to “President Santorum,” and talked about how he hoped Democratic senators would show deference to his nominees to the federal courts.

A red flag here...

[Yaelle]

Yeah, wow, they almost have him crackling in his jeans there. Thanks. I have always thought that he was a rise to the occasion kind of guy.

[cll]

Rick Santorum just handed Romney 23 delegates with his English-only/first/primarily requirement for Puerto Rico statehood. He stupidly affirmed that there was a law that mandated this, which is not true. He ignored the fact that both English and Spanish are already official languages in Puerto Rico. The fact that everyone he spoked to yesterday was fluent in English without the necessity any federal mandates. He bended and stretched the Constitution in asserting that the feds have the authority for such mandates, which they don't. He had the Puerto Rico conservative Christian vote solidly behind him until he blew it. Now the only chance we have in stopping Romney from getting all these delegates is for Newt to get off his ass and come down here and campaign heavily until Saturday night.

Puerto Rico Ping! Please Freepmail me if you want on or off the list.

[GulfBreeze]

Rick is Right! Go Rick Go!

[dforest]

The beloved flat foot Keebler elf is busy winning Illinois.

[battlecry]

cll, is the press in PR all over this? It’s been years since I’ve read a San Juan Star.

[Condor51]

KATHARINE Q. SEELYE ....Rick Santorum, the winner of the last two presidential primaries, was smartly turned out, in a dark suit and power tie..

POWER TIE??? Arrrrrgggh!!!
That term is sooooo 1980's, and I HATED it. But for snix I looked it up in the Urban Dictionary and this is what they say....

A principally red or blue tie with conservative patterning tied in a double windsor. The most common pattern is a simple stripe but anything conservative works. The style is easier to recognize than to describe. Often accompanied by an overly aggressive handshake, gaudy rolex, and ample cologne.

Well excuuuuuse me for being. I LIKE a 'Double Windsor' and when I was 'in da business' an 'aggressive handshake (aka Manly!) was what one did. And yes I had my "gaudy rolex" and used Paco Rabanne cologne (though a tad strong to some, the chicks dug it).

Anyway, none of that is a 'Power Tie'. Power Ties were usually Yellow with Black Dots and the knot used was irrelevant, and I never had one, ever. They were a joke worn by wussy wannabe 'tough guys' and If I met a guy wearing one for some 'meeting', I OWNED HIM. [I was in a 'tough' business. ;-)]

(and I still tie a Windsor Knot -- it's classy -- and I still use Paco Rabanne)

[cll]

He’s being raked over the coals. “Ugly American” is the least he’s being called.

You see, here in Puerto Rico we are aware that English is very important in our relationship with the States. It is the goal of every parent that their children become fluent in English, as to do otherwise is to limit opportunities for them. Witness the fact that enrollment in private Christian schools here - which teach very good English - is larger than public schools which teach very poor English.

We are as weary of an overpowerful federal government as any patriot should be. And to come here and say that we will be mandated to do something that was not required of any other state prior to admission, it is insulting.

Santorum blew it. Big time. He wasted his precious few resources coming here to essentially say “Hey, I’m Rick Santorum. Please DO NOT vote for me!”.

[battlecry]

That doesn’t sound good. He stepped on it.

[cll]

You know what else? Morning talk show hosts here are agreeing on one thing. That Santorum deliberately insulted Puerto Ricans and sacrificed his prospects here to shore up his conservative credentials elsewhere. How stupid and condescending of “Mr. Nice Guy”.

Add 23 delegates to Romney’s count if Newt fails to campaign here. Not that Santorum cared. He was too ignorant to understand that he was being led to an ambush here by the anti-Puerto Rico-statehood consortium, which includes the nastiest of democrats. What a shame.