Maybe! (Santorum is about to become Ex-Senator Santorum)

Politics PA ^ | Uncertain | Dr. G. Terry Madonna , Dr. Michael Young

[PhiKapMom]

It has been too much of a coincidence that we get all these people following Dean's reaching out to the South and conservatives! I do not believe in coincidences.

We need to keep pounding the message home -- Deaniacs have come to FR and trying to make it their home!

[Conservative Goddess]

Gipper, My point exactly. Thanks for making it so clearly.

[SoothingDave]

Santorum may not survive, and we may have to wait 6 years. But if heresy is punished there, the others might be encouraged to stay less impure. Defiance of the base with impunity is not representative government.

You seem to be operating under the illusion that the "base" vote is sufficient for deciding a man's election. This is false.

Both Democrats and Republicans need to garner support from a wider portion of the electorate than their hardcore base.

This is especially true in a state like PA, where social conservatism mixes with the old New Deal/blue collar/ethnic mindset. Rick Santorum can not get elected without considering those whose votes he needs to receive. It would be nice if he had a 50 per cent plus 1 electorate full of hard right FReepers.

But he doesn't. He must deal with reality. If you believe he will learn a lesson from being "punished" as you sugest, perhaps you have not thought this through. The lesson likely to be learned is that the hard right is not a reliable source of needed votes. This pushes the candidates to the left.

SD

[PhiKapMom]

I object to being quiet -- I am on your side! Santorum is one of the best and being from PA makes it even better. I was pointing out how hard of time Dr. Coburn had out here debunking the RAT claim he was conservative. Now we have someone in PA trying to undermine Santorum -- that's even worse because you guys have a harder time.

[SoothingDave]

I object to being quiet -- I am on your side!

I think he was a bit rude. I wouldn't say those from outside need to STFU, but that they should understand that each state has its own individual peculiarities. For instance, I remember being shocked about how upfront politicians were in California about supporting abortion, even trumpeting it in their ads. Here in PA, even those who are "pro-choice" don't make much mention of it.

Different electorates, different tactics.

Most of the "get Santorum" effort is based on the "betrayal" of Toomey. This is, of course, nonsense. Political parties are about mutual support. You simple do not oppose the reelection of a fellow senator from your own party. Especially when your president is also on board.

Had Santorum done that, he would be exposed as a Bob Smith, non-team player. And there would go any hopes of his rising into leadership.

The other major complaint is about election year ploys like his support for raising the minimum wage. Anyone with a brain can tell this was a ploy to allow him to look "sympathetic" to the blue collar idiots in this state.

Yes, it's stupid and political gamesmanship. But that is how the game is played.

SD

[Antoninus]

When he allowed Arlen to ascend, all was lost, all was for naught. I will not reward his traitorous behaviour.

Did you vote for President Bush? He did the exact same thing--indeed, he probably "encouraged' Senator Santorum to help Specter.

BTW, are you a Brit? What's with the "u" in behavior?

[Antoninus]

but the next Republican would toe the line, which is what we want.

Bull cr@p. We'd hear that a conservative can't win a seat in PA and we'd have to nominate a RINO like Snarlin' Arlen to have a chance. You people are so predictable.

[Antoninus]

That is no choice at all. If we don't draw a line in the sand, refuse to cross it, we'll inevitably continue to slouch toward full socialism. We must not allow it! We must hold those politicians whose words and actions are incongruent, accountable.

I think you are a seminar poster. Where were you during the Arlen Specter debates on FR last year? If I had to guess, I would say that you're an academic in PA who thinks they can fool those dumb yokels on Free Republic into turning against Santorum.

Nice try.

[PhiKapMom]

That is how the game is played and shame people on here that claim to know politics have no clue.

[bmwcyle]

It looks like you are being held accountable.

[Antoninus]

I cannot and will not support the man responsible for that: Rick Santorum.

Utter idiotic nonsense. Did you vote for President Bush? He was more responsible for Specter's victory than Santorum was.

[NeoCaveman]

Bull cr@p. We'd hear that a conservative can't win a seat in PA and we'd have to nominate a RINO like Snarlin' Arlen to have a chance. You people are so predictable.

Exactly. Get rid of Santorum and be stuck with Dems and RINO's

[YCTHouston]

Thanks for the ping; I'm not sure I have much more to say on the subject that would be productive though. It seems obvious that your position is not going to be changed, nor are you going to change the minds of most of the people around here who aren't willing to throw Santorum overboard for the sake of saint Toomey.

[Antoninus]

I am with you -- I read this and just started shaking my head. Have never seen so many vanities either by people I don't know -- maybe this is Howard Dean's plan for FR -- if you cannot beat them then have your people join them and work from within!

You got it. There's a lot of these types roaming around FR lately.

That's been the left's strategy forever. Infiltrate and take over from within.

[Auntie Dem]

"...are arguably more dangerous than Democrats who are open and honest about what they believe and vote accordingly."

So he's more dangerous than Joe Lieberman, who is the only honest democrat (Zel Miller too).

[Antoninus]

Rest assured, I am no troll.

Well, glad that's settled. I guess "moronically shortsighted" is what we'll settle on for you, then.

[samantha]

I agree,but there are still GO PAT GO types that just hang around waiting to belly ache. It reminds me of a very immature spoiled brat that one minute he loves his Parents and then he asks for something unreasonable and they turn the brat down and then it's "I hate your guts",and I am running away from home.

[PhiKapMom]

Didn't take long to spot them either, did it! During the Dem primary I had the task of monitoring the Dean for American website for the campaign and reporting comments back that might be used in the general election. I could have written a book -- these people had the political savvy of a gnat! Couldn't believe it the night Dean was going to withdraw and his people were still running a fundraising scam to get him more money to stay in the race when they knew he was withdrawing. These people on here sound just like those Deaniacs -- just wait until they get out their "bats to swing." :)

[PhiKapMom]

You are right about that -- have run into the same ones I remember from early 1999 when I joined FR -- they can change their screen name but they cannot change the way they post!

Go Pat Go types were everywhere then!

[PhiKapMom]

Don't you love it when they said "I am no Troll" -- I loved your reply!