Rick Santorum visiting Amicks Ferry Fire Station in Chapin, S.C., on voting day. [Kirsten Luce for The New York Times]
Posted on 01/21/2012 7:42:16 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Rick Santorum said he would be pleased with a third-place finish in South Carolina Saturday but vowed to stay in the presidential race through the Florida primary no matter what.
He also blasted his "desperate" rival Mitt Romney for perpetrating "cheap stuff" as Mr. Romney's position as front runner here melted away the past week...
"We finally were given the victory in Iowa," Mr. Santorum said. "If we had had it two weeks ago, it might be a very different situation. It might have been a very different race."
Mr. Santorum also said he was disappointed in Mr. Romney after some South Carolina voters were subjected to so-called "robo calls" -- automated messages -- that said Mr. Santorum had endorsed Mr. Romney. (He did endorse Mr. Romney -- in 2008, as the calls stated, but obviously not this time, and the calls made no mention that Mr. Santorum is no longer endorsing him.)...
Mr. Romney was "2-and-0 going into South Carolina and looking like 3-and-0," Mr. Santorum said, adding that, now, that "may be a 1-and-2 -- and a not a particularly strong 1-and-2."
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
Rick Santorum visiting Amicks Ferry Fire Station in Chapin, S.C., on voting day. [Kirsten Luce for The New York Times]
One and done?
“We finally were given the victory in Iowa,” Mr. Santorum said. “If we had had it two weeks ago, it might be a very different situation. It might have been a very different race.”
Too bad you still looked more like 1 guy lost in a field of 8 instead of looking like a winner.
Rick did get a raw deal in Iowa. I think his chance is gone now, but I do understand why he is reluctant to fold up quite yet.
Rick I love you, but this is bigger than you. America is at a crossroads and Romney or Obama sinks this nation. We need to defeat Romney and your candidacy at this point can only benefit Romney.
Get out.
I wholly agree with his views on family and he’s a great man...but I do think for the better of conservatism he should endorse Newt and quit.
Drop out please.
LOL
That’s cruel dude
I prefer Rick, but even if I didn’t I think that this is a reasonable decision. It’s still early. Only a very small percentage of the delegates have been selected. If it looks like his remaining in the race will throw it to Romney, I would assume that Rick will exit. But Newt is somewhat of a loose cannon, and he has some baggage—both personally and ideologically. If he proves unpopular with the general public, it would be good to have a fallback position in Rick.
it’s reasonable that RICk wants to stay in. He ought to go somewhere that NEWT is not mounting a challenge and start fresh taking on MITT. Not sure where that would be. MINN? MICH?
Florida makes no sense.
Wholeheartedly agree.
I think he’ll endorse Newt, depending of course on the deal he’s offered from Romney — and he will be offered some kind of a deal. Newt won’t offer him anything, not least because Santorum vomited up some crap about how the ex-wife’s allegations about Newt spoke to issues of ethics or character or whatever it was.
If he drops out, Rick Santorum *should* endorse Newt Gingrich. If he’s not able to raise money (and it’s likely that he’ll have some trouble now), he won’t be competitive. Hence, I’d prefer that he drop out now, ahead of Florida, endorse Newt, condemn Mitt, and get a nice talking head job on one of the networks for the duration of the campaign.
The point of a primary is to give the voters of the party a choice, some people seem bound and determined to deny us that.
That pic? Yeah, that was what they had though. :’D
It’s reasonable to conclude that Newt’s roller-coaster ride will continue until either the convention, or until he calls it quits because of the math.
Hey, you’re the only one who knew I was a candidate. Oh, you mean Rick. ;’)
That’s for sure. Oh, you mean the election thing... ;’)
People can still vote for any name on the ballot, plus any they can write in. When “some people” become “most people”, it’s called democracy.
Time to get out. Way past time to get out. Do it now. Don't embarrass yourself in Florida.
You didn't come in third, you came in second last. One from the bottom.
Can’t improve on what you said.
Santorum is a good man, and good men are motivated by higher goals than ego and vanity. I think this will be reconciled with his graceful departure sometime in the next week.
He could hang in with what little money he has, but I think he will realize that he should not.
Santorum got a raw deal with Iowa, and I don’t think it was an accident. The GOP leadership wanted to mess with the results to help ROmney look better than he is. We need more decent people like Palin, Santorum, and the other “good guys” leading what used to be our party, instead of the leaders who act like Democrats. Romney disgusts me, both for his leftist values and for the tactics being used on his behalf and presumably with his tacit approval.
I don’t think Santorum should withdraw now, not even to endorse Newt, even though Newt is my favorite of those still standing. We should find out if Santorum’s campaigning skills have grown and see how he does in Florida. If he doesn’t move up substantially, then he should withdraw, and we’ll learn a lot about him by how he bows out. If he endorses Romney for a slot in the “Romney Administration”, then I will never support Santorum again. If he simply withdraws or endorses “conservatism” or Newt, then I’ll be impressed.
“Newt won’t offer him anything, not least because Santorum vomited up some crap about how the ex-wife’s allegations about Newt spoke to issues of ethics or character or whatever it was.”
yeah I remembered that. Wrong answer dude! He should’ve excoriated the media along with Newt instead of trying to use this for his advantage.
Would you like cheese with that whine, ex-Senator?
Bravo to Rick for his high teens %age! He beat crazy Paul too. I think he did well tonight.
He should definitely stay in the race. Romney will be trying to bring Gingrich done now, with over and underhanded throws. We need to see how Gingrich weathers this, and in a state that might be more favorable to Mitt than SC. We may really be glad we have an heir and a spare, as they say.
I loved 3 of the 4 speeches tonight, and Paul’s wasn’t that bad, though it went on forever. Santorum’s speech was so natural and great. It is very wrong to think he is hurting anyone. Votes for Santorum are votes for Santorum. Period. It’s an open race. Go, conservatives, go!
He’s pathetic and stupid.
Though giving up half its delegates to do be, FL is "winner take all" so a win for Romney reestablishes his momentum going into a certain win in Mormon-heavy Nevada caucus.
It's likely the Maine, Colorado caucuses will be Romney territory as well; the Missouri primary doesn't determine their delegates (that's done in a March caucus) to it's technically irrelevant.
Michigan is Romney's birth state and his dad was governor; he'll win easily--Santorum's focus on manufacturing won't help there. As a result of the calendar, after FL, AZ is the next "obvious" competitive state and it's vote is more than a month from now, just before Super Tuesday.
Santorum can wait around like a vulture hoping to see Newt stumble, siphoning off delegates and helping Romney or exit ahead of FL and maybe help prevent Romney from that big prize which restores his momentum and the story of inevitability.
This week is a time for choosing for the Senator. Is he a willing tool of the establishment (like in Thune vs. Spector) or does he care more about his issues?
If the race was just Newt vs. Santorum, I'd be all for it but that isn't happening. Santorum's persistence can only assist Romney's rebound. If Santorum really truly believes Newt is that unstable, too great a risk, that Newt will eventually flame out, Rick should drop and endorse Romney.
For all the floral thinking going on around here and there, that reeks with squish for Rick Bachmann to stay in the race, there are those propping him up to slow Newt and his MOMENTUM.
Rick played with the players in DC, did what needed to be done when told, to Toomey, and endorsed Specter who was the final vote for Obamacare.
His only significant financial support at this point is from the RINO machine, cash enough to bag him up and send him into Florida to assist in the kitchen sink approach they have in mind for Newt. Maybe shaves off a few points and gives Romney some time to reboot.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I think there’s a case to be made for Santorum to stay in, because he’s an additional (and possibly more harsh) anti-Romney campaigner, *and* Paul’s numbers will probably rise a little if Rick drops out.
“Rick played with the players in DC, did what needed to be done when told, to Toomey, and endorsed Specter who was the final vote for Obamacare.”
Newt endorsed Dede Scozzafalooza without being told so I’m not sure who wins this round.
It hurt him that he didn’t get the win quickly in Iowa because New Hampshire was days away and he lost that rino state big. Coupled with tonight is not good. But he lost South Carolina because of Newt’s debate performance.
” Newt endorsed Dede Scozzafalooza without being told so I’m not sure who wins this round. “ <<<
For what it’s worth, Newt did a fairly good job explaining that on live TV. I will try to look that up, because you have a very good point. It is not that Newt is error free that’s for sure, but because he can articulate what he is thinking with seeming ease, he explain things that make even the bloopers sound quite rational and coming from sound motives. Where he admits errors, he admits to them openly and respects us enough not to try to explain them away, (which he probably could do, actually.) LOL! Thx.
Great point.
Amazing how people were complaining that their state wasn't being given a say in the primaries. Once 'their' candidate wins one, though, it's 'Get out now!' to anyone who might take votes from him.
We're all for everyone having their say, until it starts to impact the candidate we prefer.
I googled Newt-explains-Dede-endorsement. Up popped the youtube explanation of his appearance on GRETA. It was good. The title at youtube if you to care to see it....
< Newt fires back at criticism over support for Dede Scozzafava - YouTube >
If Newt can turn the tables on Mitt, then so can Rick.
BS.
It’ll be a tag team match in Florida, and maybe beyond if Romney fades away like a bad fart.
Newt’s turnaround was due to his debate performance, probably in the main because of his turning the tables on the partisan media shills. MSNBC’s jackoffs putting up a confederate flag behind the four Pubbies’ pictures could help turnout in Florida, assuming it’s talked about.
Thanks RitaOK.
“Newt Gingrich - Support for Dede Scozzafava 2010 ( pro-choice, pro gay marriage)”
became:
“I too dreamed of trashing Newt in my maidenform undies but woke to the zot.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2836065/posts
Rick, don’t pull a Fred Thompson and help split the conservative vote (or like Van Hilleary over Ed Bryant in 2006 which gave us lib Bob Corker in TN - TN guys keep screwing up) that gave McCain the nomination.
Each of these 3 guys are 1 for 3. Expecting or asking any of them to drop out before FL is unreasonable. They have all been the flavor of the day. If this thing continues to sway back and forth no one will have a lock on the convention, and then anything can happen.
I’ll stick with Rick. I’m not quite ready to hold my nose and support Newt just yet. There is something to be said for decency.
Gingrich pulled from Romney, apparently more strongly than he pulled from Santorum. It doesn’t seem likely that Santorum pulls much from Romney.
“I wholly agree with his views on family and he’s a great man...but I do think for the better of conservatism he should endorse Newt and quit.”
What if Newt’s momentum is temporary, then we are stuck with Romney. After only three contests, of which Rick won one of them, it’s too soon to drop out.
Boy did we get screwed. Arnold was just an actor, playing the part of a conservative, just to get elected, and turned out to be the biggest girly man himself when it came to standing up to the Dems.
With Gingrich, I see the same thing taking place. The only difference I see between Gingrich and Schwarzeneggar, is Gingrich is shorter and doesn't have an Austrian accent.
This is why I support Santorum. He may not woo a crowd like Gingrich, but I know I can mostly trust what I'm voting for. Santorum isn't perfect either, but compared to Romney and Gingrich, he's head and shoulders above both when it comes to morals and character, which is the most important thing to me now when it comes to choosing a candidate.
I went the pragmatic route with Arnold, and after that experience, no more. If Rick doesn't make it to the California primary, I'm doing a write in, because I can't in good conscious vote for Rino Dee or Rino Dumb if I'm left with that kind of choice.
Santorum:
Voted AGAINST increasing the number of immigration investigators:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00201
VOTED AGAINST HIRING AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 BORDER PATROL AGENTS, paid for by reductions in state grants.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00179
VOTED TO GIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=105&session=1&vote=00058
Voted to allow illegal immigrants to receive the earned income credit before becoming citizens.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00154
SANTORUM: Trim Social Security now- even if painful.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j7O34Bpp42k-IlMMNiOLBkYF2zNw?docId=b1cff9ecefe24ca6ae1764a09761e361
VOTED AGAINST FOOD STAMP REFORM
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00353
VOTED AGAINST MEDICAID REFORM
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00352
Voted to increase the social services block grant from $1 BILLION to $2 BILLION
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=1&vote=00302
VOTED TO RAID SOCIAL SECURITY instead of using surpluses to pay down the debt.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00056
Voted to impose a uniform federal tax mandate on states to force them to allow convicted , rapists, arsonists drug kingpins and all other ex-convicts to vote in federal elections.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00031
.
Santorum; Big government spender:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt6XCZz2X1Y&feature=player_embedded
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087812/Rick-Santorums
.
Santorum needs to put his ego aside, place his country before himself, drop out and go back to wherever he came from.
Rick Perry is twice the Conservative Santorum is!
He deserves the VP slot.
Since 2000 he has led the second largest state in the union on to be the most successful economically.
Perry stated that in his administration he would start all countries getting U.S. foreign aid at ZERO, until they proved to be our allies.
He was also the first to bring the war on religion to the forefront.
.
Great example. We are at the edge of the cliff and the abyss beckons. Electing another “moderate” will not slow our descent if we go over the edge.
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