Is Santorum a Contender?

WSJ ^ | 2-9-12 | Strassel

[VinL]

In this topsy-turvy presidential primary, there has been only one constant: opportunity. In keeping with that, the voters this week gave Rick Santorum a second chance. Now to see if he deserves it.

Going on a year, Republican primary voters have been resisting the Mitt-Romney-as-front-runner narrative. They haven't been picky, Lord knows. If you are somewhat conservative, and you have a pulse, this audience has been willing to listen.

Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul—every one has been given a moment in the sun. And every one—through his or her own ineptitude or unpreparedness or baggage—has blown it.

So the surprise this week was not that Mr. Santorum won Colorado and Missouri and Minnesota; the voters are still searching. The surprise will be if he can do what no one else has, and turn that victory into something lasting. He failed to do that post-Iowa, and to avoid a repeat he's going to have to change it up.

For one, he needs dollars. Mr. Santorum this week pooh-poohed the money and organization question, noting that all of Mr. Romney's horses and men couldn't deliver him Colorado, Missouri or Minnesota. Those are bold words from a guy whose own, shoestring operation failed to get him on the ballot in Virginia and Indiana, or in some districts of Ohio and Illinois. (edit)

Mr. Santorum's wins have come in states where he's had time to overcome a money disadvantage....

That won't be the case in upcoming races in Arizona and Michigan, where Mr. Romney will drop a money and organization bomb, as he will also do in the Super Tuesday contests in early March. Mr. Santorum needs a functioning shop in those states, and for that he needs the bucks—....(read more)

[RedMDer]

All contributions are for the Current Quarter Expenses.

[American Constitutionalist]

" Depends how negative Romney decides to go, right? I know the thinking is that Romney is now getting challenged for his negativity--but, he can't win any other way other than to destroy his opposition. Should be interesting. "

Let's put this in perspective, what about Romney's supposed invincibility ? his inevitability to be the GOP nominee ?

Romney's smear campaign will be moot since his strength of him being " THEE GUY " for the GOP nominee was put to the test last Tuesday.
The people spoke last Tuesday, Romney's negative ads will only hurt him at this point and will garner Santorum the high road.

[American Constitutionalist]

“... he can’t win any other way other than to destroy his opposition—” .......

At this point in the game any negative ads from Romney's campaign, or sleaze tactics, tricks will only help implode his Presidential campaign.... people see him for what he really is.... it's not going to help Romney at this point, but on the contrary, it is going to sink his presidential chances even farther...

[Finny]

Last time the GOP primaries were based on "Anybody but Hillary." The question foremost then was, Could He Beat Hillary?

I know this year Obama is a shoo-in for the Dem nominee ............ the question is, "Could he beat Obama?" I think it's a dumb question, as Obama is a fake and will go down like a sugar-cube house. Heck, even Romney could beat him -- don't for an INSTANT think Romney couldn't -- that's what an illusion Obama is. Vote manipulation/fraud and the MSM are the only things that prop up Obama.

But say Hillary surprised us this time around as Obama surprised us the last time. Hillary would pulverize Santorum, and marginalize Romney. On the other hand, a Newt vs. Hillary battle would be FABULOUS! We could sell tickets!

Santorum is a Nice Youg Daddy-statist "compassionate" conservative.

Gingrich, the older statesman with a solid resume, isn't nice, young, or free-handed with other people's money via minimum wage and food stamps, things Santorum, according to his resume, has fought for out of "compassion." Gintrich is old, scarred, and has made a lot of big mistakes -- baggage! But he's also made a lot of BIG, profound successes in American government. More than Santorum, by any measure.

Newt has faced the baggage, admitted to mistakes, said he screwed up, and kept moving toward amends. That tells me something about Gingrich, and Santorum's lack of that in his shorter resume tells me the two are very different in terms of skills, grit, and humility.

I think Newt is the smarter choice.

GODSPEED NEWT GINGRICH

[American Constitutionalist]

" Depends how negative Romney decides to go, right? I know the thinking is that Romney is now getting challenged for his negativity--but, he can't win any other way other than to destroy his opposition. Should be interesting. "


Romney : desperaterado

[Norseman]

>>Depends how negative Romney decides to go, right? I know the thinking is that Romney is now getting challenged for his negativity—but, he can’t win any other way other than to destroy his opposition. Should be interesting.<<

Romney’s negativity is a well-enough-established pattern by now that Santorum should consider borrowing Reagan’s “Well, there you go again” line when the dirt starts flying from the Romney camp.

Then move on to the positive aspects of his campaign...like what will happen to Egypt if they don’t release their American hostages the day he’s elected.

[EDINVA]

I’d like to think you’re right, but all the evidence points to folks buying into negative advertising. Maybe there’s a ‘critical mass’ that Romney has surpassed. We can hope. Beyond HIS negative ads, tho are all the sleazy ‘insiders’ who went to FL when Newt was the target. I wonder how the Romney people will try to work that again, former Congressmen/Senators who served with him?

[b9]

But say Hillary surprised us this time around as Obama surprised us the last time. Hillary would pulverize Santorum, and marginalize Romney. On the other hand, a Newt vs. Hillary battle would be FABULOUS! We could sell tickets!

You make a very good point about Hillary, and Newt is the ONLY one savvy enough to take her on.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I think Newt is the smarter choice.

I agree.

[chrisnj]

‘(Santorum) far, far more competitive against Romney than Gingrich’
Correction -
Santorum has NOT COMPETED AGAINST Romney at all - Romney left him alone but focused his fury on Gingrich.
These last wins were only because Romney was over confident and Gingrich was badly bruised by all Romney’s dishonest, viscious attack ads. The general mood of the country about obozo’s forced abortion/contraceptive helps to get Santorum votes because of his perceived ‘pro-life’ stance.
Santorum has been lucky. We will see if he can withstand all the attacks on him now. Competition with Romney only begins now for Santorum.
Can’t jump to conclusion that Santorum is far far more competitive than Gingrich yet!

[rbmillerjr]

I think it’s fair to say that Santorum has gotten a free ride. What will be interesting is the manner in which Romney goes after Santorum.

Santorum is a much harder target to go after vis-a-vis Gingrich.

I’m a Gingrich supporter and I’m not baling on him. Conservatives have been schizophrenic this election cycle.

But Santorum objectively has the momentum now and this will play out past the next debate, even if Newt has another grand slam debate performance.

The showdown will be in the South. Santorum has to beat Newt in the South for this to have legs. If he beats Gingrich in the South...Santorum will likely be the leading Delegate accumulator and Gingrich will likely endorse Santorum.

If Gingrich wins out on Delegates, Santorum will want the VP nod and will get it. If Santorum wins out, I’m not sure Gingrich want the VP position...likely will want to be a Cabinet Secretary: Sec of State (since Bolton bolted for Romney)??

I personally like Gingrich for Chief of Staff...he was built for that role.

Again, I think Gingrich would be a fine President and my support is steadfast, but the race has changed and Super Tuesday will be even more critical now, especially for conservatives.