Posted on 10/17/2006 2:31:48 PM PDT by streetpreacher
Last night I watched the tape of the Rick Santorum – Bob Casey, Jr. Senate debate. I can’t find it anywhere on the web, but when you have a chance to catch it be sure to do so. It was almost without question the funniest political debate I’ve ever seen.
Santorum was articulate, aggressive and impressive. If he should lose in November, the strength of the campaign he has run in this annus horriblus should guarantee him a future in the party. I’m firmly a Romney guy and I’ve always been to Santorum’s left on some social issues, but if he winds up having a lot of time on his hands come next January, he might consider making some leisure trips to Iowa. Santorum has shown himself to be full of the qualities that many other high-level members of our party lack – guts, determination, commitment, and passion.
While Santorum was great, the real highlights of the debate came from Casey. I’m not exaggerating here – Casey came across as a unibrowed version of Chance the Gardener. If he had responded to a question on tax policy by telling the audience that for the garden to bloom in May it must lie fallow in February, I wouldn’t have been the least bit surprised.
The unquestioned high point of the debate came when Santorum defied Casey to identify the high ranking Iranian mullah muckety-muck that the state department recently (and idiotically) granted a visa to. Amazingly, Casey could not produce the name Khatami.
There’s an even more incredible aspect to that exchange that becomes apparent only when you really think about it. Santorum was so confident of Casey’s ignorance, he knew he could toss him an easy one like challenging him to identify Khatami and not worry about Casey showing him up by actually having a clue.
I've gotten a few letters saying that whenever I mention a candidate, I should provide a link to the candidate’s website so interested readers can do more reading or maybe even kick the guy a few bucks. Until now, I’ve never really felt the urge to do that. But click here to go to Rick Santorum’s website and give the man a hand.
While you’re there, check out Santorum’s closing statement from Thursday’s debate. At least one politician out there has the ability to inspire.
I have to concur with Mr. Barnett here. If Rick pulls this out, he should seriously consider running for President. This guy is articulate, good looking but more importantly: he is a solid ideological conservative in the mold of Reagan. No wonder the Democrat machine wants to take him down. The Soviets tried to stop Reagan as well.
I wrote this on a couple of other threads last night after watching this speech.
Santorum: On To Victory
Rick lays out what is at stake in this election:
Part One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPljRC1eXf8&mode=related&search=
Part Two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqx2B9DJ1qA&mode=related&search=
I don't care what anyone thinks of Rick here. Watch this speech. This is a statesman, not a politician. I say if he pulls this out, he is presidential material.
I challenge everyone here to watch it if they want to see the clearest cogent argument as to the true nature of our enemy and what is at stake. In this sense, it reminds me of "A Time for Choosing".
BUMP
As I said in another thread, it is a shame Santorum will likely lose this election. I watched the debate on C-SPAN and could not believe what a dud Casey was. I had read it here on FR but it could not prepare me for what I beheld.
It reminded me of that SNL skit from the 1988 election. After Casey finished his closing statement, I half expected Santorum to look at the camera and proclaim, "I can't believe I am losing to this guy."
If Rick loses I hope he'll have a VP spot in 2008. Hopefully he will win; Casey's "supporters" don't like him, they just hate Santorum. Turnout will be key.
Wow. That's pretty impressive.
I will have to take the time to watch that debate now.
Santorum ain't going to lose.
From your key pad to God's ears. But in PA, where more people vote in Philly than live in Philly, I think he has run his course. The best bet for Rick, if he should lose, is to move down South and get back in the Senate that way or run for govenor of a Southern State. I think they would welcome him in down there. PA may be a lost cause.
JMO, if Santorum is "losing" so bad why would MSNBC run with a hit piece on him.
The real test is, after Rick loses the election, does he let out that supporting Specter over Toomey in the primary was a major mistake, that he's taken to heart the lesson that sticking to principle is always better.
Will he be able to overcome all the vote fraud in Philly? That is how the democrats usually win PA.
You will be wrong and crying in your Starbuck's on the morning of November 8th, flipper.
The real test for you eddie haskell, is not trying to be a Casey troll.
Unfortunately, I think Casey's going to win. I have never seen so many signs before on people's lawns or bumper stickers on cars for any of Rick's previous opponents. Maybe it doesn't mean anything. I don't know. But if Santorum loses he has no one to blame but himself. I don't believe the support for Casey is deep, it's the hatred for Santorum that is.
From your lips to God's ears.
Santorum did a great job. If he loses,it will be a grand injustice and a moment when partisan insanity over-took sound voting decisions. In addition to being a bumbling fool, Casey and his fake teeth are so freakish as to be entirely off-putting. The way he talks reminds me of the ROTC guy from Animal House who keeps having to suck in his breath when he talks to keep from expectorating.
Anyway, Santorum clearly mopped the floor with the empty suit. I loved how Santorum threw some "nothing to lose" long bombs like challenging Casey's knowledge on some things and most of all twice pointing out in his closing remarks that he made something of himself based on hard work, not based on his last name. Brilliant Rick! You deserve to win even if the people of Pennsylvania are too stupid, deceived, brainwashed and ignorant to get that.
Sponsored by the league of women voters?</p>
Moderated by the drive by media
Almost got it that time...
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