Santorum Could Trample Trump: Put the Pennsylvanian on the main stage

The American Spectator ^ | December 29, 2015 | Quin Hillyer

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

With just two major Republican debates remaining before the Iowa presidential caucuses, Donald Trump has been remarkably lucky. The only major candidate who could actually inflict lasting harm on the vulgar poster child for inherited wealth, and the only one who could readily attract and hold some of Trump's blue collar constituency, is the only one banished - by the idiotic, poll-driven debate rules to which the feckless Republican National Committee acquiesced - from sharing a single stage with The Donald.

For reasons both stylistic and substantive, Pennsylvania's former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum could eviscerate Trump in a direct encounter.

This is not necessarily to say that Santorum could vault from near-last to first the way he did for a while in 2012. It is, though, to say he could do enough damage to Trump that either he or another candidate could finally surpass Trump, lastingly, in the national polls.

Here's why.

[smoothsailing]

Hogwash. Santorum would get run over by Trump.

[AndyTheBear]

OMG, just checked RealClear politics national average polling for Republican nomination and Santorum is tied....with Graham that is, at 0.6% each. Trump has a measly 35.6 percent average which is only 59 times Santorum’s popularity—which we have to admit is pretty close to easy striking distance....and here we are doubting Santorum is what conservatives are clamoring for. Silly us.

[HarleyLady27]

When I lived in Northeastern, PA. I helped on the Santorum campaign, and we had all but three cities sewn up for him, then Philly, Harrisburg, Pittsburg voted and wiped everyone right out...

No Santorum is not popular in PA. anymore, and when I left it was Hillary Country, so I hope Trump can turn the tide there...

[lovesdogs]

Santorum is a decent man. The one to open that festering slow bleed wound in Mr Trump that the GOPe craves, not so much. Only another alpha male can even dream of that.

[kanawa]

I will never forget nor forgive Santorum’s comments about George Zimmerman.
He attacked GZ with obviously little knowledge of the facts.
His ‘heinous’ knee-jerk pandering displayed a ‘very sick mind’ and a ‘malicious motive’.

[RainMan]

Funny story ... I went to Germany in the summer of 1980, and decided to take in a movie while in Cologne. The Jerk had just come out, but the Germans had no work for “Jerk”, so they movie was called Reichtum ist kleine schnade. (Comedy is not pretty”)

[onyx]

Unfortunately (for me) long ago, I once wrote an all too nice note to Mr. Hillyer and ever since then he has graciously sent me every column of his.

With regret, I read this one and whilst I think Rick Santorum is exceptionally knowledgeable, he's out of his realistic realm running for POTUS.

Likewise, Mr. Hillyer is out of his realistic realm wishing, dreaming and devoting his entire column to Santorum and his hollow pleas for ELEVEN (11) candidates on the main stage!

GOOD GRIEF, QUIN!

[Lorianne]

What is this person smoking!

[mgstarr]

I also used to subscribe to The American Spectator and National Review in the 90's and early 00's. No more. Nothing like what their founders intended.

[Heart-Rest]

You mean the same Santorum who backed ultra-liberal Arlen Specter over his conservative opponent some time ago?

Santorum will never win any public office again.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Quinn Hilyar on Meth is not pretty. LOL!

[HarleyLady27]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3377812/posts

How is it now santorum????

[Impy]

I like Rick, he’s smart and a good debater, but he’s gonna finish in the toilet.