The way I remember it, Bush 43 and Rove invented the phrase “Compassionate Conservatism” to differentiate themselves from the Gingrich/Santorum conservatives of the 90’s, who had become unpopular in the late 90’s during impeachment.
Santorum did seem to be on board with most of the Bush agenda, but I don’t recall him ever identifying himself as a “CC”.
Exactly. Bush also accused them of balancing the budget “on the backs of the poor.”