I would vote for Santorum if he had actual experience running some organization in executive capacity. Newt was House Speaker which involves managing the House activities of 435 representatives. Recall Obama had only legislative experience before running for president also. On another issue, Santorum will be attacked 24-7 as too extreme on social issues by MSM. It is not true, buy perception is everything in politics.
But the over-riding issue for me personally is who do I want to see in the 3 debates between Obama and his opponent. My unequivocal answer is Newt.
I’m not saying Santorum is the most shovel-ready guy to be president. He is just the one that I feel is the most honest and sincere and will do his best to dismantle government. We need to seriously dismantle government. As president he won’t have to be a ‘team player.’
The debates will come and go, and there will be rules of ‘no cheering’ to mute Newt. But Newt is not showing enough strength to ever get to those debates. Newt has to win the south or he is finished.
I’ve lived in Georgia. I like Newt, but I don’t know if he can focus on one thing long enough. That was his problem when he was Speaker. He is like the college professor
( which he was ) who dazzles his students. Newt, as president, would be great in educating a nation that needs educating.
I love to hear Newt speak too. I just want more there there. I fear that Newt will want to be ‘remembered’ and “liked” and will turn out to be like Nixon who appeased the progressives with EPA and OSHA, etc.
Newt resonates when he vitiates the press and takes on the PC crap. But Santorum speaks to me about freedom and liberty, and, as a veteran and naturalized citizen, that speaks loudest of all. Problem is that we will never get that conservative candidate as long as Newt and Rick split that vote.
I wish Newt well, but I don’t think he has found a message yet other than his recent populist tone. That’s an unfortunate sign of desperation. Best to you and thanks for your considered response.