An open letter to Rick Santorum

James Gartner | 5/1/04 | James Gartner

[dinok]

Proof positive...Conservetives go to Washington and turn to moderate republican Jello.

[GOPMark]

I agree in a sense that we need Santorum's apology. I went to his office here in DC yesterday and told them how bleak things were on the ground for Rick and Bush and how pissed the base was. The receptionist said they had been hearing it from all angles, we we'rent the first to be so outraged. That being said I am not sure he is going to come back to the right. I really like Rick, I think he is a good man at heart but made a serious political miscalculation and drank the Bush Kool-Aid. I hope all the angry letters/phone calls/visits get to him, but I am begining to doubt it.

[SamInTheBurgh]

Absolutely not. As a good friend of mine put it the other day "Rick Santorum is supposed to be the pro-life poster boy of the Republican Party." For him to turn around and support Arlen Specter who supports abortion on demand is disgusting and a flat out slap in the face to Conservatives all across the country. We aren't talking about something small like a bill he voted for that we didn't like. We are talking about human life. That deserves no pass.

On top of that, Rick Santorum sent members of his staff around to campaign for Arlen spreading lies saying Toomey wasn't pro-life and that Bush would concede PA to Kerry if Arlen wasn't the nominee.

Does that sound like a principled guy to you?

[Sabertooth]

Santorum supported Specter, because he looked at the big picture

That conceit again?

-- the Republican Majority in the Senate exists by a razor-thin margin.

Is that "the" biggest picture?

Specter's chance of beating the Democrat, I always forget his name, is virtually 100%. With Toomey being the Republican nominee, he would have had a 50-50 shot or less. THAT might have been the race, which threw control of the Senate to the Republicans.

That picture is paint-by-the-numbers speculation, and its palette is the dearth of courage to match what are supposed to be the convictions of the Republican Party.

Here's another picture:

So long as self-congratulatory and misclassified "big picture" folks continue to believe that the logic of conservatism has no persuasive power, and so long as they continue to play prevent defense while in possession of the ball, then swing voters will continue to believe that there is something suspect about conservatism.

Pragmatism isn't a principle to be advanced, it is a means to an end, and is most useful in the endgame when the gains of advanced principles are consolidated.

Pragmatism as a first resort isn't pragmatic at all. In politics it's a rationalization for retaining power for its own sake.

[McGavin999]

And you wonder why you never get political power. Just look at what you are doing to one of the most conservative senators in Washington. What is wrong with you people, have you NO loyalty at all? Anyone does one thing you don't like and you're willing to toss them over the side?

Just what good are you? Why should anyone ever bother to take a stand for you or try to help you out in any way. Talk about the ingratitude of the french, they can't even hold a candle to you guys.

[NittanyLion]

Sam, I understand where you're coming from. I still hold faith that Santorum will understand the error of his ways. I would never presume to tell you what you should think (as so many folks do on this board), but I would ask that you remain open to the possibility that Santorum may see the error of his ways.

Regardless, thanks for supporting the conservative cause in whatever manner you see fit.

[FairOpinion]

Nothing will open the eyes of these "death before electability" so-called conservatives, many of whom expressed that they actually rather have a Democrat elected. Does that sound like a conservative, who wants to see a Democrat elected?

In California 100% of state-wide offices are filled with Democrats, because Republicans keep nominating unelectable conservatives and the Democrats are laughing all the way to the control of the state. The only reason Schwarzenegger's election broke this cycle, because there was no primary.

The 10% of the so-called conservative wing of the Republican party is exercising tyranny of the minority, jeopardizing the viability of the Republican party, because through their efforts, many more DEMOCRATS are being elected, time and time again, but they still never learn -- or don't want to learn.

Some of those in CA encouraging people to vote for McClintock in CA in one post admitted to actually voting for Boxer ( a liberal Dem in CA), another admitted to voting for Clinton. Do they sound like conservatives to you?

[smokeyb]

send it as an open letter to Rick or the Post Gazette. something to let the perhaps millions of people(500,000+right here in PA.)who feel betrayed know they are not alone.

Already being done, I am told.

[SamInTheBurgh]

Where was Santorum's loyalty to us?? Where was his loyalty to the people who put him where he is to begin with?? Where was his loyalty to the principles and foundation of Conservatism?? Don't you dare lecture me on loyalty. I was a huge admirer of Santorum for a long time. When he first came out for Specter I didn't hold it against him one bit. I understand how the game in DC is played. But when his campaign staff started telling lies and he bounced around the State with Specter last week to yank the rug from under us he went too far.

Zell Miller was on Hannity and Colmes some time back and Allen Colmes was trouncing on him asking him how he could abandon the Democratic Party. Zell's response was, "I didn't abandon the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party abandoned me." Exactly the case here with us. I am not abandoning Republicans, they abandoned me, Santorum most of all.

[NittanyLion]

And you wonder why you never get political power. Just look at what you are doing to one of the most conservative senators in Washington. What is wrong with you people, have you NO loyalty at all? Anyone does one thing you don't like and you're willing to toss them over the side?

See, that's where we differ. Santorum upset the very folks who launched his career, and via letters like this they're attempting to show him the error of his ways. Would you have them remain totally subservient simply because he generally does the right thing, or provide immediate feedback when he's made an error?

If his base is upset (they are), these people are doing Santorum a favor by telling him why.

[FairOpinion]

The election is OVER.

Now you make a choice to support the Republican nominee, or allow the Democrat to win.

ONE of them WILL win in November and this race may well be the one to determine whether we will have a Republican or Democrat Congress.

Heck, people in PA may be the ones to determine whether Bush gets re-elected or not. Republicans who plan to stay home to pout, better start acting like ADULTS and consider the consequences of their actions.

[gdc61]

what are the odds of the Post running it?

[smokeyb]

We know Santorum is a reasonable, intelligent person who made a terribile miscalculation here.

Anyone remember who was sitting in the meeting agreeing with Trent Lott when the House met with them to start the Clinton "non-trial" ?

[NittanyLion]

In California 100% of state-wide offices are filled with Democrats, because Republicans keep nominating unelectable conservatives and the Democrats are laughing all the way to the control of the state. The only reason Schwarzenegger's election broke this cycle, because there was no primary.

It never ceases to amaze me how folks like yourself can rationalize every situation into supporting your beliefs. Anytime a GOP nominee loses, you claim the loss was because this person was too conservative, and look to nominate an even more liberal Republican next time. It never occurs to you that conservatism might actually be an attractive philosophy; you think only liberalism will bring voters to the GOP.

You've totally missed the mark and will likely never see the error of your ways. How utterly sad.

[NittanyLion]

It's time to move on and do the work of the country, eh?

Where have a heard that line before?

[Natural Law]

Whether by design or default the Republic is being eroded by unprincipled actions like this. Regardless of political orientation, history, culture or faith people have no more respect for the law than they do for the law makers.

[SamInTheBurgh]

Now you make a choice to support the Republican nominee, or allow the Democrat to win.

Either way it goes, a Democrat wins.

[GregB]

I will put my heart and soul into his opponent..also my help and money....Old Ricky boy screwed up from the beginning..He backed the proposed 1 and a half cent tax to pay for Heinz Field and PNC Park...I voted or him to be a tax cutting smaller Government person...My kingdom for a Statesman!!!!!

[McGavin999]

It's fine to be upset, it is NOT fine to savage a good man. This keeps up and nobody worth a damn will be willing to run for office.

[ex-snook]

Conservative friends don't let friends vote for RINOs under any circumstances. It only encourages further breeding.

"You are either with us or against us". Bush & Santorum sold their pro-life birthright for a mess of election porridge.