Posted on 12/04/2011 6:00:55 PM PST by presidio9
Former Pennsylvania senator and Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum told ABC News' “This Week” that he expects to soon supplant surging rival Newt Gingrich and become the Republican favorite.
“So if you look at all of these little boomlets, they last about four to six weeks. Newt is in about week three,” Santorum said.
“So we feel pretty good that, you know, come the middle of December and toward the end of December, as candidates are looking for a candidate they can trust, someone that is authentic, someone who knows what they believe in and why they believe it, and has a record to back up the rhetoric as to what they want to do to change this country, because we do need big changes, well, who has been doing that?”
As “This Week” host Christine Amanpour noted, Santorum tied with Jon Huntsman for last in the most recently conducted Des Moines Register Iowa poll (Iowa's primary, the nation's first, is scheduled to take place Jan. 3). Santorum, however, was non-plussed.
"We're within the margin of error of both Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann, both of whom have had enormous attention by the national media, and have had money and resources," Santorum argued. "Rick Perry is running literally millions of dollars of ads in Iowa, and he is right next to me in the polls."
Although the logical connection between Perry's failures and Santorum's future success was never made explicit, Santorum emphasized the strategic importance of “character.”
“"I think character is definitely an issue," the former Pa. senator said. "I think they have to make a decision based upon the person's entire record. And certainly character counts."
Consequently, “I think we have a very good chance of winning Iowa," Santorum said. "We've spent the time in the state, we've talked to the activists… And we'll have people at those caucuses advocating for us because I've been in their county. They know my message. They know what I want to accomplish."
Maybe you can overlook it but neither I nor millions of other conservatives will EVER forgive Santorum for backing Specter over Toomey in ‘04.
How could any self-professed conservative DO such a thing???
“Perry is right there with Romney in my pile of socialists I wont vote for under any circumstance.”
Perhaps you can educate me, cause I haven’t made up my mind yet, but what exactly puts Perry in the same league as Romney as a socialist? He looks pretty solidly conservative to me except for Gardisil (minor issue) and his support for in-state tuition for illegals. Seems to me that Gingrich and Perry have very similar positions on almost all the issues, so is Newt also in your “pile of socialists”, and if so, who do you deem “worthy” of your support(that’s still in the race)?
Santorum can forget it, so can Michele. Conservatives will not support conservatives.
You can look at this thread with the insults at real conservatives and the desperate pathetic elevation of a guy who debates good, has no executive experience, is fickle on conservative principles, and declared the era of Reagan dead.
But....you can always keep your fingers crossed and do a lot of hoping he will be able to exercise control of himself and his pompous azz.
It will come down to Perry or Santorum or Bachmann if certain people get over they’re catty jealousy because they wanted Palin.Newt is fourth in the line on my list.The only thing that interests me about Newt is he said West for VP.I could deal with that.
Did we just say the same thing kind of but I was more blunt?
How is Perry a socialist and not Gingrich?Makes no sense unless someone is blogging for media matters to divide and conquer.
I’m an anybody but Obama voter.
Glenn Beck, Franklin Graham, Donald Trump. Guaranteed, they all knew.
Palin did not want the job. She loves the campaign part, but the job that is at the end of it will be a beeyotch. Better to sit back and wait to see if the atmosphere of the country changes. She is young yet.
Michele most likely knew Palin wasn't running either and that is why she jumped in the race as a conservative female candidate. All she got for it was insults and grief. Some still use “gaffes” as an excuse, as though Palin doesn't have a number of gaffes under her belt too.
But all of that is water under the bridge and irrelevant now. I don't think Perry can come back because of his earlier poor debate performances and his “heartless” comment. He also sounds like Bush and nobody wants a replay of that. Even though that is probably exactly what our nominee will get. Media Hate 24/7.
Cain gone, I like Herman the man and the others, including Santorum and Bachmann, could learn a thing from him. He has a very positive, people loving and optimistic attitude. He also has a self deprecating humor. He makes people smile.
Good attitude is good business. You can see why he did well. Herman had some policy work to do and he should have really got that down if he wanted to get to the top and stay there. However, foreign policy is fluid right now and can be picked up around the right people.
Toss the rest of them in in, Newt, Romney, Huntsman and you have a crap shoot. Problem is I don't know if any of them can win because they turn off many in their own party. LOL
The wildcard would be Trump entering. LOL He is supposed to meet with Trump real soon. That should be a hoot. Two big egos trading bullshoot over who is the bestest. Oh man.
So Gingrich is afraid of “small fry” Santorum? Will he be afraid of Putin and/or the Chinese premier, as well?
That’s America needs a risk averse president.
The Republican Party crack-up is in full swing. Were is a conservative to go?
It’s not really a crackup. Reagan dragged a bunch of conservatives into the GOP but neither he nor the conservative voters were ever welcome. Where to go is a good question.
Some men need a little facial hair to get rid of their boyish looks.
LOL!
You may pick up your door prize on your way out.
Next contestant.
Poor Rick. He’s about the only candidate who won’t be next. He’s not a bad guy but I’d never vote for him. He’s good on many social issues but is weak on limited government — he’s from the George Bush era that hopefully we never go back to.
Well, was speaking to 'all' as well, here; who may be hoping for a Santorum win. Which; given the title of post per Santorum's challenge to Newt and your response. . .figured you were 'one of them'. Seemed like an 'easy call'. If you say so; guess I was wrong!
(Is there someone else; you want the 'winner' Santorum to debate after he takes on - and wins - his challenge to Newt?)
I agree but Newt get’s an amnesty pass but Perry doesn’t?Perry would be better than Bush.
In the grocers line the other day I saw a trash magazine predict that the GOP will have a late entrance Trump? but the world economy and the US will collapse before the Nov POTUS election and fix all and Obama will be re elected.
i e.... fix all with global euro socialism/communism.Which means it will look great in the beginning but fail soon afterwards.Just like Obama’s presidency.
I don’t give Newt an amnesty pass at all. I don’t trust Newt ot Perry on that issue.
I really doubt Trump will enter. If he did it would be as an Independent.
The GOP late entry? probably not at this time.
If Obama is re-elected, sites like this will disappear. Obozo will see to it.
I think Christie could be a last minute.Trump is selling books.
ALSO:Santorum is PA and Obama has to take PA to win.
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