Posted on 01/21/2012 10:53:47 PM PST by gogogodzilla
I can confirm tonight from multiple sources that phone calls are in fact occurring between Republicans in Washington and among evangelical leaders to raise money for Rick Santorum rapidly.
The sources tell me that this is not for a Santorum win, though the evangelicals I spoke to continue to hope it is possible. This is to stop Newt Gingrich. One evangelical leader I spoke to said, “If Newt wins, we won’t be able to make family values an issue in the general.” One lobbyist I spoke to said, “They [the GOP leaders in DC] are really nervous about Gingrich and they think he’d be a disaster. The best way to shut him down is to prop up Rick.”
Florida is going to get interesting.
Good point. I ought to be more precise in my language.
The article makes it pretty clear that evangical leadership is prioritizing social issues in this election... and have come out saying so. (From the article: “One evangelical leader I spoke to said, “If Newt wins, we won’t be able to make family values an issue in the general.””)
So it stands to reason that those who actively follow them at this point will have the same agenda this election.
Would not be surprised if it was a Romney front.
Santorum is done.
“Something about his personality fails to inspire, that is just a reality. Something I learned from my younger brother is that he is also viewed as “too conservative” by some for whatever its worth.”
They are almost equally conservative. But like you said, Newt can inspire, he’s a fighter and the other just meekly raises his hand and says “why not vote for me?”
“I do agree with Evangelicals that wrong values is at the heart of America’s problems. Their just not winnable values, unfortunately.”
My view is that the culture war is not won through legislation. It is won principally through example and persuasion. Frankly, I find some of Gingrich’s personal history inspiring. He is someone who was knocked down, and got up. That shows me another dimension than someone whose butt never forcibly connected with the earth.
Gingrich does not demonstrate perfection, but he does demonstrate resolve, resilience and analysis.
@icwhatudo
We are no longer at altitude, no stumbling, no ripcords…
If you didn’t see this article yet, I think it’s interesting and provides a good counterclaim re: questions of Newt’s integrity:
Yep. I think it’s like speed skating in the Winter Olympics. You keep on skating, no matter how far behind you are, because the people who look like they are way ahead could take a tumble any second, and you will be the last one standing.
I definitely don’t want Ron Paul to be the last skater in the race. Santorum should hang in there.
THe main issue for conservatives is whether is one is pro life or not, Newt has a great record as good as Santorum. Rick need to look at reality and do the right thing for the country like R Perry did.
“My view is that the culture war is not won through legislation. It is won principally through example and persuasion”
That’s probably the problem they have with Newt. His marital history wasn’t pure enough so he can’t be effectively claim to be on the side of traditional marriage. Only someone who was perfect in every way can be for moral values without looking like a hypocrite. That’s the assumption.
But most Americans aren’t perfect and they’re not going to relate to Mr. Perfect. Reagan wasn’t perfect and he was the hero of the social conservative movement!
This disinformation campaign benefits who, precisely? Willard. The Romney campaign is known for its dirty tricks, e.g. leaking rumors of endorsements that never happen.
“why not vote for me?”
This is precisely right. I don’t believe this is something that a leader would say. He seems very meek. I’m not saying he would be a bad leader, but he lacks leadership qualities, so I don’t know how he can ever become a leader.
I’ve always thought that if you cannot convince others to follow, then you cannot lead.
Rick I love but I swear by the power of Zues, you are wasting good money and dividing the conservative agenda.
Please do the right thing and support Newt.
You absolutely will not get anywhere near close to a nomination.
Iowa was an aberration on so many fronts.
Please do the right thing.
I too have a feeling this is a test for Rick Santorum. He does have trouble paying too much attention to what the liberal faction of the republican party tell him. Though he was just doing what the party elites instructed him to do, his support for Arlen Specter cost Santorum dearly.
Here perhaps he is being tempted by the party elites again. Let’s hope Rick has learned from his last encounter. If he hasn’t it could cost all of us. Having Mitt’s people robo-call supporters saying Rick supports Romney was pretty low down. Santorum should remember just how sleazy these snakes are.
But it does seem that some are too gleefully willing to blame the largest group of conservatives. I smell a set up. Breaking up the coalition is as effective as supporting Santorum with money. It all works to help Mitt. We should walk away and not take the bait.
“This is precisely right. I don’t believe this is something that a leader would say. He seems very meek. I’m not saying he would be a bad leader, but he lacks leadership qualities, so I don’t know how he can ever become a leader.”
He doesn’t even realize that he has a problem. He’s up there with only 3 other people and he’s still the same Santorum who was lost in the crowd along with Gary Johnson. But he’s not there because he’s leading, just hanging out for as long as he can.
Shill, Erick Erickson: [snip] ...phone calls are in fact occurring between Republicans in Washington and among evangelical leaders to raise money for Rick Santorum rapidly... This is to stop Newt Gingrich. One evangelical leader I spoke to said, "If Newt wins, we won't be able to make family values an issue in the general." One lobbyist I spoke to said, "They [the GOP leaders in DC] are really nervous about Gingrich and they think he'd be a disaster. The best way to shut him down is to prop up Rick." [/snip]How about if attacking Newt hands the nomination to Romney? Will that help your family values campaign? How did that work out in 2008, btw?
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