Limbaugh and Levin are watching extremely closely and are fine with Santorum and even Newt.
As am I.
I think Rick is very similar to GWB. GWB has a conservative core, but is not an intellectual conservative, evidenced by his failure to successfully push for needed government spending cuts. Rick’s record demonstrates he is also not an intellectual conservative based on his record (though far superior to Mitt or McCain as is GWB).
Mitt and McCain often present conservative ideas intellectually, but do not have the core to be consistent in adhering to the ideas. They are on Ships named conservative without a rudder in the water, destined to be pushed where ever the wind is blowing.
Rick and GWB’s ships have rudders in the water (much preferable to not having a rudder), but because of their lack of conservative intelligence are confused how to navigate through the rocky waters of modern politics.
Newt demonstrates consistently that he has the principles of heart (conservative core) and mind (conservative intellectual) that is required to steer the ship on the right course despite the elitist wind of resistance.
Examples:
Don Rumsfeld, similar to Gingrich, has core and intellectual conservatism. Love that guy!
Reagan was able to use his core conservatism, coupled with William F. Buckley’s intellectual conservatism to have many successes. Reagan recognized talent (including Newt’s) better than any other president, and capitalized on it.
Ford/Dole/McConnell/Cheney, intellectual conservative, somewhat lacking in core (not as lacking as Mitt and McCain).
Santorum/GWB/Fred Thompson core conservatives, lacking intellectual.