The Iowa results: Santorum's baggage

Tribune Review (Pittsburgh area) ^ | 5 January 2012 | Tribune Editorial

[Vigilanteman]

Just how unserious are Republicans about defeating Barack Obama in November? So unserious that, in Iowa, at least, they came painfully close on Tuesday night to making Rick Santorum their putative standard-bearer.

Mr. Santorum, the former congressman and senator of Pennsylvania, came within eight votes of defeating former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. It was the closest finish in the history of the Hawkeye State caucuses.

Santorum bills himself as the conservative alternative to Mr. Romney. But saying you're a conservative doesn't mean you are one. (Think John McCain.)

Oh, indeed, the Virginian (ne Pennsylvanian) has the corner on the theological wing of the GOP. But Santorum is a disaster when it comes to economics. He's a recidivist big-government conservative all too prone to rationalizing his big-government proclivities.

[Rational Thought]

I think that talking point, "He lost his own state by 18 points!", has been beaten to death. The Republican candidate for Governor in Pennsylvania that same election, Lynn Swann, lost by 20.

Here's a quote from the same Pittsburgh Tribune in it's endorsement of John McCain in 2008 (the same John McCain this paper mocks in the piece today) of which I find quite fitting;

But it being, as once was written, a golden rule that one should never judge men by their opinions but rather by what their opinions make of them, it would be imprudent of us to allow our respectful differences to preclude our support.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/archive/s_596343.html

One of their "respectful differences" with McCain was a minor little thing called AMNESTY. Funny how amnesty is so little an issue while Santorum's support of Arlen Specter is a major issue (How did this same paper overlook McCain's support of Specter 4 years ago???). Not certain here, but it sounds like the Pittsburgh Tribune is supporting (saying you're a conservative doesn't mean you are one) Mitt.

[Vigilanteman]

FWIW, I'm willing to take a hard look at Huntsman as well if and when he ever becomes a viable candidate. The stupid global warming pronouncements aside, he has a solidly pro-life, pro-gun and fiscally conservative record as governor.

An ability to speak Mandarin Chinese also trumps Obama's ability to recite Muslim prayers.

[zerosix]

IMHO Santorum was a "good soldier" when in the Senate, he did fall in line with his leadership on a number of issues.....but I think he learned a very good lesson when he followed orders, stood on stage with GWB, Rove and Specter to help him defeat a real conservative, Toomey against the anti-Republican, Arlen Specter.

Santorum got booted for his efforts at "following orders and falling in line with" leaders, against his better judgment.

Sometimes, we learn much more, unfortunately, not by what we do right but what we do wrong.

Is Santorum a really great conservative, nope, is he better than those left standing today, I think so. I can go down the list on Perry (Al Gore's DNC Chairman for TX); Newt, well there's just too many to mention; then we're left with Mitt, who absolutely NO one, claims is conservative.

[Vigilanteman]

Santorum served in congress for 16 years total and got an 88% rating from the American Conservative Union. That means 12% of his votes were bad and you were able to cherry pick the entire list. As I said, on his worst day, he was still to the right of George W. Bush. I could give you a longer list of Bush's failings in eight years than you've done for Santorum in 16.

[muawiyah]

I don't care what Independents are up to. They are off on their own ~ outside of politics.

If they want a say in selecting candidates they have to get inside one of the major parties and get involved.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Yesterday on this page, someone suggested that if Santorum isn't conservative enough then conservatives are in trouble.

[muawiyah]

You're putting your finger on the #1 problem with today's MSM ~ they have opinions exactly like those of the weaker posters we pass by on a daily basis.

There's no "Main" in MSM anymore ~ just fringe kooks pouring out their opinions on this and that with no evidence.

You can find more well thought out positions at DU than at any newspaper.

[Vigilanteman]

Excellent point, Eric. As you can already see, we have a gaggle of goofballs coming out of the woodwork who are focused on criticizing the 12% rather than praising the 88%.

Is it any wonder so many of our current political class think (even if they do not say) "screw conservatives because you can never please them anyway"?

[Wolfstar]

So here we go again. Conservatives are in the process of repeating the same mistakes they made in 2006, 2008, and partially in 2010. There isn't a single candidate who's good enough, conservative enough, without flaws, without sin, blah, blah, blah.

[Leaning Right]

I don't care what Independents are up to

I probably picked the wrong word there. By "independents" I meant those folks who are neither hard left nor hard right. They are the ones that could vote either D or R on election day.

To beat Obama, we need to get a lot of those folks to pull the R lever. And as I said before, Santorum is not the one to get their votes. He's dull. He does not inspire as Reagan did. I have some idea of what I'm talking about because I'm from PA.

So if it's Santorum vs Obama, Santorum can win only if the independents vote against Obama rather than for Santorum. That's quite possible, but it's a dangerous bet.

[2nd Amendment]

I’m sick of these political games fought by the marxist media and room temperature IQ pundits. The last 3 candidates that I supported were Fred Thompson, Sarah Palin, and Rick Perry. Shows how much I know. RINOS, “moderates”, and spineless voters, go ahead and elect your million dollar Breck commercial candidates. I’m heading for the hills!

[muawiyah]

Maybe. I don’t think there are as many Independents as the leftwingtard pollsters tell us. Actually, probably 1% of what they say.

[cuban leaf]

Newt just may be Mittens’ Ross Perot.

[kabar]

BTW, keep in mind that the US Constitution trumps any State’s Constitution.

Not if the Constitution goes beyond its enumerated powers and the 9th and 10th amendments. The power of the federal government over the states is circumsribed by the Constitution and any amendment to the Constitution must be approved by three fourths of the states.

Ninth Amendment

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

[Utmost Certainty]

I’m no defender of Bush’s record.

88% ACU rating or not, Santorum’s stated positions are philosophically that of a big government collectivist type. Strong populist social conservative, sure, but demonstrably weak on fiscal matters. No thanks.

[Leaning Right]

The 10th Amendment is now nothing more than an historical curiosity. It has no teeth.

The Commerce Clause has been used to turn the states into provinces of the federal government. And that makes me sick.

[Vigilanteman]

Rick Perry is one of your million dollar Breck commercial candidates. Since I live in a swing state, I'd still vote for him over ObaMao if he were the nominee. But if I lived in California or Kansas, there's no way I would.

[Vigilanteman]

See my post #17 and pick your poison. Santorum is easily the best of the alternatives still standing.

[2nd Amendment]

Maybe so. . .I liked his conservatism and religious fervor. A little weak on illegal immigration. Right now I’ll pull the lever for Santorum. But this media manipulation has got to stop. Over 60% of young people polled think socialism is a good thing and capitalism is bad. We’ve lost it. I’m clinging to my guns and religion and headin’ for the hills is the manchurian Kenyan gets reelected!

[TheOldLady]

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