I’ve seen Santorum’s record... and it’s not conservative.
Heck, his support of SOPA is reason enough to drive his completely out of politics. (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2835697/posts)
Let alone his support for a bigger government welfare state:
“What was my vision? I came to the uncomfortable realization that conservatives were not only reluctant to spend government dollars on the poor, they hadn’t even thought much about what might work better. I often describe my conservative colleagues during this time as simply ‘cheap liberals.’ My own economically modest personal background and my faith had taught me to care for those who are less fortunate, but I too had not yet given much thought to the proper role of government in this mission.”
and...
“I suspect some will dismiss my ideas as just an extended version of ‘compassionate conservatism.’ Some will reject what I have said as a kind of ‘Big Government Conservatism.’ Some will say that what I’ve tried to argue isn’t conservatism at all. But I believe what I’ve been presenting is the genuine conservatism our Founders envisioned. One that fosters the opportunity for all Americans to live as we are called to live, in selfless families that contribute to the general welfare, the common good.”
Ronald Reagan said, “The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom.”
Rick Santorum said, “This whole idea of personal autonomy, well I don’t think most conservatives hold that point of view. Some do. They have this idea that people should be left alone, be able to do whatever they want to do, government should keep our taxes down and keep our regulations low, that we shouldn’t get involved in the bedroom, we shouldn’t get involved in cultural issues. You know, people should do whatever they want. Well, that is not how traditional conservatives view the world and I think most conservatives understand that individuals can’t go it alone.”
We can’t go at it alone, that’s why we have FAITH in GOD.
Most Americans are Christian, and have always been so. Santorum is 100 percent in what he says that autonomy is not an American value.
Autonomy is self-rule in the absence, not the presence of God. We had a big long thread just on that awhile back.
As for Santorum’s conservative record - he never supported Hillarycare, unlike Newt. That’s what is the biggest difference. Newt supported lots of pork as House Speaker, just look at some of the spending bills.