Yep, Ron Paul is a stinker. But he's a "Crazy Uncle" idealist stinker, a type much easier to like than a sanctimonious religion-on-his-sleeve altar boy like Santorum.
You Santorum fans are overlooking a huge factor here: Santorum has so far been given a pass on any kind of serious vetting in the MSM as well as by his GOP rivals. Doesn't that raise any red flags for you?
To make matters worse, it's likely Gingrich actually does have the kind of honor Santorum pretends to have, and Gingrich would probably be loath to fire both barrells at Santorum, whereas Santorum -- well, we'll see how far he goes in his negative attacks against Gingrich in Nevada. So far they appear to be honest and sticking to policy, which is fair enough. But how much will Santorum deliberately misrepresent the truth in order to miscast his former ally? And how does it compare to Gingrich -- where has he willfully misrepresented truth in accusing his opponents of bad policy, let alone bad "values"?
How are you going to feel when you find out that Santorum is as tarnished in the ethics and honor department as Gingrich? With a MUCH shallower record than Newt's?
There are no perfect candidates -- Santorum included. The guy is a SET UP for being steamrolled -- he is a babe in the woods whose support base seems to be top-heavy with Pollyannas emotionally invested in a religious "righteousness" that is as fragile and fallible as a cheap dinner plate. Gingrich is not stuff for Pollyannas. He's ugly, battle-scarred, and tough. And has a list of solid accomplishments behind him that make Santorum look like the puppy he is.
Santorum is a set-up, folks.
Rick Perot?
-PJ
And we wonder why the religious right stay home?