“his supporters are really some of the nastiest people I’ve come across on the internet”
Really? Have you surfed DU lately?
And I disagree with you. All IMO of course, but there are several sub-groups of conservatives, or more accurately sub-focuses of conservatism as a mindset. Some focus more on social, some focus more on foreign policy, etc. I find that the ones readily supporting Newt and laughing at Santorum are “all of the above”, as in no aspect of conservatism is more important than any other - they all matter equally. With that mindset our responses to situations come across as terse, simplistic, and uncaring - while not really being any of the above because for us the response really is that simple. We want very strong, knowledgeable leaders first and foremost.
Yes, unfortunately I have been to DU. I’m certainly not referring to all Newt supporters, but a certain group of posters here continue to go from Santorum thread to Santorum thread and deride Santorum and his supporters. It’s more than pointing out differences, it’s consistent juvenile namecalling, bashing, and attacks. One poster even lied and said Santorum’s wife had an abortion!