Second look at Rick Santorum?

A three state sweep last night. Very impressive.

I don’t have much time to write this morning, but was curious as to your thoughts – key among them, whether you think he could effectively beat President Obama in the general election.

14 Responses to "Second look at Rick Santorum?"

Chris in NC says:

February 8, 2012 at 8:17 am

As it looks like he very well may challenge Romney, I sure hope he can beat Obama. I know of people who said “If Santorum is the nominee, I’m voting Obama” and others who have said “If Romney is the nominee, I’ll vote 3rd party or not vote” so I don’t think he’ll chase any away that he can’t recoup. However, Romney has lots more money and the flashy look and all. Santorum just looks boring and sadly in today’s American Idol world, that matters (see Obama).
Phineas says:

February 8, 2012 at 8:32 am

I think he could beat Obama, but then, I think most anyone could; too many people are going to go into the voting booth, think about the last four years, and decide they cannot reward the holder of that record with another four years.

As for Santorum… meh (1). I’m on record not being thrilled with any of the three serious candidates. I’ll vote for whoever wins the nomination, because any of Santorum, Romney, or Gingrich would be light years better than Obama, and I think a conservative Congress will drag them Right.

(1) Though I do have to do my due diligence about his positions, now that he’s likely to be around for a while.
Great White Rat says:

February 8, 2012 at 8:56 am

Ever since Rick Perry dropped out, I’ve thought Santorum was the best of the (admittedly uninspiring) lot remaining. I’ve seen nothing since then to change that opinion.

I have two concerns about him as nominee.

(1) organization/fundraising. He’s far behind both Romney and Gingrich there, and would be waaaaaay behind Obama.

(2) testing. He hasn’t been the target of attacks as much as Romney or Gingrich, so he hasn’t been thoroughly vetted.

One thing you can take to the bank: the Obama campaign and its surrogates will go all-out to paint him as some theocrat who wants to force everyone into churches at gunpoint and make praying five times a day mandatory. They’ll distort his social beliefs and run an ugly scare campaign, while ignoring the real issues. Can he counter that successfully on a very limited budget? I don’t know.
Y-not says:

February 8, 2012 at 10:08 am

I’m sticking with Newt for the time being, primarily based on his tax plan which is vastly superior to the other two. I also find him to be a much more effective communicator of conservative principles when he’s on his game.

I can’t stand Romney — he reminds me of Obama in temperament, frankly — but right now I have him above Santorum on my list, primarily because he’s done a better job convincing me that he’s more qualified to be POTUS than Santorum is.

For Santorum to move up on my list he needs to:

1. show me what experience he has that has equipped him to be chief executive and to take on Dems in Congress and actually win (Newt has the latter; Romney has the former)

2. communicate a vision for America that aligns with mine, that means focusing on smaller government and economic freedom, not inserting social issues into everything

3. show a willingness to listent to and engage Tea Party conservatives

I am not a Tea Partier, but this notion that conservatives are supposed to grin and bear it with the presumptive nominee (Romney) who has shown very little interest in engaging the base has me fed up. I expect our nominee to represent conservative principles, not shun them to try to appeal to “moderates” and Independents.
Carlos says:

February 8, 2012 at 10:10 am

Santorum is no Reagan, has his warts and all, and is very much a social conservative (but fiscal conservative not so much.) Because of his voting record as a senator I think he believes that tax money is the government’s, not ours. That’s his weak point.

But he is dead on with his social issues (and is not a theocrat), and dead on with his immigration, and dead on with foreign policy (starting with America as an exceptional country and going on to strength in defense).

That’s batting .750, and in my book that’s better than anyone that’s been in the WH in a long, long time. I don’t want to “settle” but given the field he’s as good or better than I had hoped would come from the party.
Marshall Art says:

February 8, 2012 at 10:54 am

I think Santorum is fiscally conservative enough. None of these guys are perfect, so dismissing Santorum because he isn’t either doesn’t make sense. He does have a history of some leadership within his station as senator that shows he could be effective as a president.

But I think what is missing in this question so often asked, is how much everyone who values conservatism as a governing philosophy is willing to push that philosophy. So often we hear of our favorite pundits speaking in terms of electability. If the average candidate possesses the bulk of the conservative credentials we demand, every pundit should be heralding those creds and explaining in detail why they are superior to the opposition and worth the support of those who would otherwise have supported the opposition. There is little about the Santorum, Gingrich or Romney that would keep most righ-wing voters away from the polls in November ’12 considering the alternative. What we need is for everyone to simply speak the truth loudly, boldly and with love and conviction that which WE know to be true, and then any one of these three should take Obama with ease.
Lorica says:

February 8, 2012 at 1:18 pm

I think Senator Santorum followed the lead of senior Senator Spectre, which was his downfall. He was a good party man, but I don’t think he is so much these days as the party has not been good to him. He realizes that it is the voter who he needs to talk to, not the DC insiders. – Lorica
Carlos says:

February 8, 2012 at 3:38 pm

I guess Rush is being “blamed” by the left today for Santorum’s trifecta. Let them think that, it makes it easier to talk to others about what’s real, and about issues.

I just hope Santorum sticks to issues and responses to attacks, not resorting to taking Mitt and Newt (Mutt and Jeff, for those of you old enough?) out with mud.
Dave says:

February 8, 2012 at 4:26 pm

I for one am glad that Santorum is still in the race and apparently getting a little stronger. I believe that he is the only conservative left in the race, the other 3 being a Rino, a Globalist, and a Whacko.
Carlos says:

February 8, 2012 at 9:52 pm

Maybe you should have inserted “each of” after the first comma in the last sentence, Dave. Would have been more accurate for the two “frontrunners” and the Ronulans will only count if they give the election to Obama by running rogue/third party.
Drew the Infidel says:

February 9, 2012 at 6:21 am

I intend to vote GOP no matter who the eventual nominee is for two reasons. This is no time to be picky and pouty. Any vote not cast is a vote for BO. And I would vote for Jack the Ripper before I would ever vote for BO; and I will vote!
S.Lynn says:

February 9, 2012 at 12:30 pm

I concur, Drew the Infidel. I’d vote for a used rubber on the ticket before I’d vote for N’obama.
Lorica says:

February 9, 2012 at 1:11 pm

I am more than willing to vote for him, as he didn’t go to Harvard or Yale. No more Ivy League Presidents!!! America needs a break today!! – Lorica
Zippy says:

February 10, 2012 at 8:52 am

I agree Chris NC… it’s all about culture of personality.

Romney has the charm. I love Newt and his intellect. He doesn’t mince words. Santorum seems sincere enough but does he have what it takes?

Whoever the nominee is, I’ll vote Republican.

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