When you compare the negative impact of what Santorum or Gingrich endorsements and support had on political races, Rick is the one that helped Specter put ObomneyCare around every American's neck.
Posted on 02/08/2012 3:37:31 PM PST by red flanker
Rick Santorum backed Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in 2004. It was a tough race with Toomey mounting a credible, well-financed challenge.
Toomey’s candidacy, by his own estimation, was one of the precursors to the Tea Party movement:
The “battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party” between big spending moderates and committed conservatives that was evident in 2004 may have inspired subsequent Tea Party efforts, Toomey suggested. Despite losing out on key endorsements from leading Republican figures in 2004, Toomey believes his primary campaign created a strong foundation for conservative activism that translated into victory in 2010.
Santorum not only backed Specter, he cut a commercial for him.
(Excerpt) Read more at legalinsurrection.com ...
When you compare the negative impact of what Santorum or Gingrich endorsements and support had on political races, Rick is the one that helped Specter put ObomneyCare around every American's neck.
This has been a big problem for me for a long time...
Can you say Supreme Court Justices Roberts and Alito, which Specter pushed through as part of the deal with Santorum?
Here come the media attacks..
I’m from Pa. And no one was more p.O.’d than me over Toomey not being elected sooner. But you know what? He’s there now. I’m over it. Santorum also sided with unions on right to work legislation back then. You know what? I’m over it. This state has a large blue collar work force. Right to work or not...we have a lot more unemployed than we did in 2008.
If that is the best they can come up with...just sayin.
I’m trying not to laugh that they somehow believe those two situations are equal. I am VERY sure that Romney endorsed a whole lot of bad apples. Why don’t they list those?
and Toomey gave us gays in the military
Nevermind the fact that Toomey has proven to be less Conservative than advertised...he voted to repeal DADT and was one of the key GOP Senate players in the failed “Super Committee.”
Can you say Supreme Court Justices Roberts and Alito, which Specter pushed through as part of the deal with Santorum?
First time I have heard this. Please, more information!
You are exactly right. And if you read the excerpts from Catch The Flag - A diary of presidential impeachment - you will see that Sanctimonium and Trent Lott were best friends in selling out the House republicans... and blocking their strategy that might very well have been successful...
But mostly, because of Sanctimonium et al - the Women never got to speak... and things in this country might be vastly different now. No, Rick, some of us don’t forget. I’m just learning the history now, and I know I won’t ever forget.
I read somewhere recently that Santorum’s support for Specter was payback for Specter’s help during Santorum’s first senate campaign. Evidently he would never have been elected without Arlen’s financial/political support.
Just found it, article by Michael Barone:
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/why-did-santorum-endorse-specter-2004/287596
I’ve long sense learned that endorsements don’t mean jack around here. Palin endorsed McCain, and folks couldn’t have cared less. Her radio spot for him ran for over four months non-stop on the top two talk radio stations in the state.
I would like to hear Santorum’s reasoning behind the endorsement, and even an apology if the reasoning was as unsound as it seems to be.
I have faith in Toomey, though. The supercommittee was a disastrous idea.
We in Pa. are planning on sending him some help in November. My hope (and money) is on Sam Rohrer.
That link is nothing but one big lie.
um, Clinton was impeached by the House, and tried by the Senate but not removed.
Many people were uncomfortable with impeachment of a sitting president, it is a road many just did not want to go down.
Interesting grudge to hold in the scheme of things, however.
"Santorum says he is proud of backing Specter because in 2005 and 2006 Specter, as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, shepherded the confirmations of Judge John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. That’s a fair enough defense, and Specter in fact did a fine job on those hearings. Remember how he interjected, “Senator Kennedy, let the judge answer the question.” When Arlen Specter is on your side, he can be very effective."
Mad at Santorum over Specter? What Would Reagan Do?
By Chet Arthur
What would President Reagan do if he had had a good conservative challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in a primary in Pennsylvania? Former Sen. Rick Santorum is taking a lot of heat in his presidential campaign for backing the RINO Specter over true-blue conservative Pat Toomey in 2004. We need more conservatives like Ronald Reagan.
I agree. But let’s remember what Reagan actually did. In 1982, Sen. Lowell Weicker (R-Conn.) faced a possible challenge from Prescott Bush, Jr., elder brother of Reagan’s vice president. “God himself could not keep me from challenging Lowell Weicker,” the Bush brother said. But when the convention rolled around, Mr. Bush was obviously listening to someone else. He dropped his challenge.
President Reagan came to New Haven that year and spoke to 10,000 Knights of Columbus. Weicker was on stage with him. The president, Sen. Weicker, and I were perhaps the only three “Prots” in the hall. I was then working for a state pro-life group backed by the Catholic Church. When the host announced from the podium that Sen. Weicker would be flying back to Washington on Air Force One with the president, there were boos and catcalls. The announcer spoke over this disruption. “The president will be dropping Sen. Weicker off in the capital,” he said with authority.
Yes, it was a stupid decision for political reasons. Not as bad as Romney-Care, but close. What you are probably saying is that none of the GOP folks running is worth a hoot (except as a counter to Obama) - and certainly does not generate any enthusiasm.
Go GOP...yeah, yeah...
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