Posted on 12/10/2014 1:28:47 AM PST by iowamark
Rick Santorum won primaries and caucuses in 11 states in 2012, coming in a respectable second in the GOP presidential primary season. And Republicans have a history of bestowing their nomination on the next guy in line, usually an also-ran from the last contest.
Yet the former senator from Pennsylvania is rarely mentioned in the already feverish pre-game 2016 chatter among the political commentariat and the donor class.
That’s just the way he likes it. Or so he says.
“America loves an underdog. We’re definitely the underdog in this race,” he said in an interview Tuesday. Santorum added that being underestimated — again — “has given me a lot of latitude.”
His iconic sweater vests will likely make a return appearance. But Santorum 2.0 will be a very different presidential campaign than the one that came from almost nowhere to win the Iowa caucuses in an overtime decision, he vows.
“I get the game,” Santorum said.
Where he had to build his operation from the ground up in 2012, Santorum now has a grass-roots operation called Patriot Voices, which boasts 150,000 activists across the country. Its current push, an online petition drive to oppose President Obama’s recent executive action on immigration, has generated what Santorum strategist John Brabender says are “30,000 new e-mail relationships.”
Whether Santorum can raise the money he needs is another question. Foster Friess, the benefactor who ponied up $2.1 million to a pro-Santorum super PAC in 2012, says he would support him again. The former senator is sounding out other deep-pocketed donors, whom he declined to identify.
He is retooling his message, hoping to appeal beyond his socially conservative base and reach blue-collar voters who are being left behind in the economy...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
What sunk Santorum was his suit against a suburban Pittsburgh school district. The outcome was that taxpayers in that district had to foot the bill for his kids’ cyber education. Regardless of whether the ruling was right or wrong, he lost the support of more conservative suburbanites and rural residents. Hard enough to win an election with communist unions controlling the major cities, but once Santorum lost his traditional base, he was doomed for all time.
I sent Rick $100 some years ago.
Still no sweater vest.
Looks like Rove is lining them all up again to split the conservative vote
and give us another Romney, Bush or Christie.
-—lil rick was a trent lott lapdog-—nuff said!!!!!!!!
Didn’t want him last time, ain’t gonna want him this time.
I think when he and Bush 41 went on the save Arlen tour his conservative credentials were rather strained. Juxtapose that to him losing his own election the very next time out.....well you see where I’m going. Arlen Specter could not or would not return the favor!!!
Make that Bush 43!!!
2012 the conservatives split the primary vote and we got Romney then Obama.
2016 if the vote is split we'll get Christie or Bush then Clinton or Warren.
‘No Santorum for me today, thanks.’
>> What has Santorum been doing since 2012...besides gearing up for another run? <<
He’s been busy promoting his books and films. I think a 2016 run for POTUS would merely be a continuation of this activity by other means.
>> I would really like to see Ted Cruz give it a shot but he needs a smart campaign team and a lot of money behind him. I also like Scott Walker as well. <<
Walker has experience as a governor, plus a county executive. That makes all the difference in the world, IMHO.
Cruz, on the other hand, has no executive experience. Look at the records of the ex-Senators who’ve been POTUS — Harding, Truman, LBJ, JFK, Nixon and Obola. Only one out of six did a halfway decent job.
Therefore, let Cruz go back to Texas and serve a successful term or two as governor. THEN he might be qualified for POTUS.
A divide and conquer move. Someone is pulling his strings. he KNOWS he cannot win. But he can split the vote for Jeb. It’s 2012 all over again.
The knuckle-dragging Neanderthal, as Palin referred to Santorum, is a joke, and will do worse than he did in 2012.
I don’t think Santorum can get real momentum. It is more of a Crusade. I really can’t believe he will get good percentages. The states Santorum won, others will take like Cruz or Walker.
2012 the field was much different from what I think it will be this time coming.
Romney was clearly the better manly man
Look at all those primaries he won
and how polite and deferential he was
to Obama and Hillary .... Benghazi? Bengwhozi?
....”Watch at least 5 conservatives running while splitting the vote so the ‘moderate’ can win.”....
Carefully managed and coordinated right thru til the man of their choosing is left standing....looks like a re-play. Shall I say the fix is in?
....”I think a 2016 run for POTUS would merely be a continuation of this activity by other means”....
Anything he uses to promote his very self works for him.....and it will always be about him. Pa has had enough of the guy...booted him finally. Still he thinks he’s popular with the people...he’s blind.
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