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The Left Fuels Santorum Surge
Townhall.com ^ | February 20, 2012 | Star Parker

Posted on 02/20/2012 3:46:18 AM PST by Kaslin

A succession of high profile left wing decisions and initiatives of recent weeks drive home the extent to which the left is changing the face of America.

Notable among these are the decision of a federal appeals court in California to uphold a prior court decision finding California’s Proposition 8, defining marriage as between a man and a woman, unconstitutional; the reversal of a decision, due to a tsunami of left wing pressure, of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to withdraw its funding to Planned Parenthood; and the Obama administration rulemaking refusing to grant a religious exemption from the new health care law employer mandate requiring provision of free contraception and sterilization services as part of health coverage.

These developments are, I think, helping to buoy the newly surging candidacy of former Republican Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum.

Why?

Santorum stands out in the current Republican field in the clarity of his image and identity. There is little doubt about who the man is and there are no glaring inconsistencies between who he says he is today and his past behavior and positions.

Even Ron Paul, who is closest to Santorum in consistency and clarity of image, carries the baggage of the sickening racist and anti-Semitic newsletters that once carried his name.

So the issue with Santorum is whether you buy what he is selling. Not whether you have to worry that there are different Santorums hiding in the closet waiting to emerge when political calculations might seem to justify their appearance.

And candidate Rick Santorum is squeaky clean conservative.

There is no pretense that so-called social issues are a world apart from economic issues.

And there is no inclination to insert social issues as a footnote to please religious conservatives while just talking about the economy because this is the main thing on everyone’s mind.

While the Republican Party splits on whether “values” should stand front and center in its platform, Democrats and the left make no pretense about this.

The political left, led today by President Obama, is defined and energized by an ongoing sense of mission to wage a cultural war in America.

And the left is determined to win this war.

The front line of battle is obliteration of traditional values and to sever the connection between rights and responsibilities.

The three high profile left wing victories of recent weeks all touch these key areas. End the traditional institution of marriage as a bulwark of our society. Continue to promote sex as recreation and relegate the life this activity creates as a trivial byproduct which we allow to be destroyed with ease, and destroy the sanctity of private property so government can finance irresponsibility with other people’s money.

President Obama is unapologetic about this agenda and even has the audacity to call it Christian for government to borrow trillions on the good credit of the American people and then permit politicians to determine who it is fair to tax to pay for it all.

The Santorum surge, I think, is being fueled by a growing sense that our economic crisis is at its core a moral crisis. And there is a growing sense among Republicans and conservatives that we must recognize the cultural war being waged and engage it with clarity and aggressiveness that matches that of the left.

An America with broken families, with an aging population growing old alone, with no educational framework to pass traditional truths on to our children, and with no private property so that our wealth and our wages remain exposed to politicians, is an America without a future.

Santorum is offering the very clear, consistent conservative alternative to this disaster and I think it’s why he is becoming the biggest surprise so far of this campaign.


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: ca2012; crossovervote; lefties; santorum2012
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To: gogogodzilla

>>>Has the Department of Social Values approved this message in accordance with the pre-determined value sets as prescribed by regulations?

Furthermore, has the Department of Control authorized you the autonomy to post this message?

Failure to comply will result in a $2,000 fine and 30 Ave Marias, to be paid and conducted at the local IRS building.

(Welcome to Santorumland... where the government determines right and wrong through it’s interpretation of the Bible... and has the power to force your compliance.)<<<

You’re a lunatic. Nothing in Santorium’s words or writing indicates that he wants to use the power of the state to enforce his religious values. Quite the opposite. He wants the state out of the personal religious opinions of the citizenry.

On the other hand, your post reminds me of the bigots of yesteryear who refused to vote for a Catholic because he would be controlled by the Pope.

No one is going to force you to be a Catholic. Hard to imagine you’ve been here for 11 years with this kind of thinking.


21 posted on 02/20/2012 1:12:39 PM PST by redpoll
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To: struggle

So that would be the only reason to vote for him? If you don’t get putting Obama in jail, then who are you voting for? It probably would be best to think a second time about this.


22 posted on 02/20/2012 1:21:23 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: struggle

So that would be the only reason to vote for him? If you don’t get putting Obama in jail, then who are you voting for? It’s not the economy, or jobs, orIran, or Afghanistan for you. It’s Obama in jail. It probably would be best to think a second time about this.


23 posted on 02/20/2012 1:22:36 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: gogogodzilla
Failure to comply will result in a $2,000 fine and 30 Ave Marias, to be paid and conducted at the local IRS building.(Welcome to Santorumland... where the government determines right and wrong through it’s interpretation of the Bible... and has the power to force your compliance.)

This is one of the stupidest things I've read on FR--ever. And that is saying something.
24 posted on 02/20/2012 1:23:45 PM PST by Antoninus (Mitt Romney -- attempting to execute a hostile take-over of the Republican Party.)
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To: caww

If you are against “right-wingers”, then who are you, and why are you on this site?

It would be nice to understand why things happen rather than taking them at face value. Santorum lost his seat in PA because PA took a hard Left, and Democrats took the majority.

What make him a “nutball” to you and others? He has great morality and stands by his principals. He is consistent in his views. No flip-flopping. He has a strong record. Why are these bad? In comparison to Obama or the rest of the GOP field, Santorum is the best, in my humble opinion.


25 posted on 02/20/2012 1:33:46 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: gogogodzilla

I sense a troll amongst us. Santorum’s record would prove your argument to be failed. Back to the harbor for ya, swampy.


26 posted on 02/20/2012 1:36:48 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: redpoll
Santorum's quotes:

"The right to privacy doesn't exist in my opinion in the United States Constitution."

This whole idea of personal autonomy, well I don’t think most conservatives hold that point of view. Some do. They have this idea that people should be left alone, be able to do whatever they want to do, government should keep our taxes down and keep our regulations low, that we shouldn’t get involved in the bedroom, we shouldn’t get involved in cultural issues. You know, people should do whatever they want. Well, that is not how traditional conservatives view the world and I think most conservatives understand that individuals can’t go it alone.

What was my vision? I came to the uncomfortable realization that conservatives were not only reluctant to spend government dollars on the poor, they hadn’t even thought much about what might work better. I often describe my conservative colleagues during this time as simply ‘cheap liberals.’

Some will say that what I’ve tried to argue isn’t conservatism at all. But I believe what I’ve been presenting is the genuine conservatism our Founders envisioned. One that fosters the opportunity for all Americans to live as we are called to live, in selfless families that contribute to the general welfare, the common good.

---

Yeah, tell me again how Santorum doesn't believe in using the power of the state to enforce his religious values. Or in the case of the last quote, someone who doesn't believe in the 'each according to his abilities; each according to his needs' schtick.

And while we're at it, let's see how close Santorum is to the heart of Reagan's message:

Reagan:
I'm convinced that today the majority of Americans want what those first Americans wanted: A better life for themselves and their children; a minimum of government authority. Very simply, they want to be left alone in peace and safety to take care of the family by earning an honest dollar and putting away some savings. This may not sound too exciting, but there is something magnificent about it. On the farm, on the street corner, in the factory and in the kitchen, millions of us ask nothing more, but certainly nothing less than to live our own lives according to our values — at peace with ourselves, our neighbors and the world.

27 posted on 02/20/2012 1:37:47 PM PST by gogogodzilla (Live free or die!)
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To: oneamericanvoice; Antoninus

You ought to read post #27.

It has your favorite politician’s quotes in it... and those quotes are why I wrote what I wrote.


28 posted on 02/20/2012 1:40:36 PM PST by gogogodzilla (Live free or die!)
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To: oneamericanvoice

>>So that would be the only reason to vote for him? If you don’t get putting Obama in jail, then who are you voting for? It’s not the economy, or jobs, orIran, or Afghanistan for you. It’s Obama in jail. It probably would be best to think a second time about this.

I think it needs to be asked, and iterated so that all understand how many times Obama broke Constitutional law. I’m voting republican in the general election regardless of the candidate.


29 posted on 02/20/2012 3:34:06 PM PST by struggle (http://killthegovernment.wordpress.com/)
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To: oneamericanvoice
If you are against “right-wingers”, then who are you, and why are you on this site?

Did I say I was against right-wingers? NO I did not....and that should also answer your other two questions which frankly are none of your business.

Further using a well known tactic in attempting to intimidate another doesn't cut it...You're in Santorums court and that's fine..your choice...but I will not swallow the tune he strums...been there done that..and learned from my mistake.

BTW Rick Santorum is the reason and the only reason people booted him from office here in PA....people here came to detest him and with good reason.

You go right ahead and swallow his junk...we've seen it before whenever he's running...and further those in Pa who have worked with Santorum professionally and otherwise use the following to describe him ...and they're right:

extreme”,... “big government”,... “pork barrel spender”,... “hair trigger volatility”,... “cruel”,... “extremely arrogant”, ...“dismissive”,... “massive ego”,.... lack of character,... poor temperament, ...“unfit”, ...“He treats people really badly with arrogance and contempt”, ...multiple personas,.. vindictive,... nasty,... “a disaster”,... “abrasive”, ...“absurd”,... “phony”,... “rigid”,... “divisive”,.... “a sure victory for Obama”.

These descriptions are from the people in his own State that worked directly with Santorum in the Republican Party who know Santorum best politically and professionally.

It is no wonder Santorum goes in the history books as the record holder for losing by the greatest landslide of any incumbent in the entire history of Pennsylvania.

There is a concrete weirdness that’s off-putting to most people when they hear Rick Santorum speak for any length of time. He is a hostile and often times very rude man who is brittle and unable to withstand any sort of public criticism without smacking back in a petty and unprofessional manner.

Should Santorum win the primary we can be assured Obama will serve another 4 years...and those who know Rick best know very well.

30 posted on 02/20/2012 5:02:08 PM PST by caww
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To: oneamericanvoice

Some of Santorum’s record....

The Freedomist exposed Rick Santorum for his betrayal of a core conservative value,.. the right to work,.. the protection against Union thuggery...He is FOR right to work but NEVER votes for right to work legislation..... He also endorsed Arlen Specter in his 1996 Presidential run,.... in 2004 against true conservative Pat Toomey, .....AND even endorsed Mitt Romney in his 2008 Presidential run.

Worse than even his right to vote betrayal and his endorsements of RINOS and future democrats... was the work that he did as a Senator in the Clinton years,.... when he and Trent Lott undermined the Senate efforts to bring Bill Clinton to trial after the House impeached him for lying under oath.


31 posted on 02/20/2012 5:09:49 PM PST by caww
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To: gogogodzilla
I think Lewis got it right... “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.... It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.......The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep,.... his cupidity may at some point be satiated;.... but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” ― C.S. Lewis
32 posted on 02/20/2012 5:16:49 PM PST by caww
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To: caww
Here is your post that I was responding to: "their best to paint Santorum as a nutball, right winger. IMO Santorum is doing that himself without any help...he IS a right-winger. We saw that happen in Pa as he made a hard-right and why PA's booted him among other things. You agreed with the quote that Santorum is a nutball, right-winger. If you aren't against all right-wingers then you should have been clearer. I have every right to ask the questions I did. Your nasty response speaks volumes. I don't try to intimidate anyone. Nor do I use tactics. Yes, I like Santorum, far better than the rest of the field. I didn't just jump on the bandwagon. I investigated why he lost in PA, and once I found out the truth, it was no big deal. People that detest him are, generally, Democrats. Some Republicans don't like him, but you can't please everyone. There are always co-workers who speak ill of their fellows. Can you imagine what they say about you when you aren't around? Well, the same goes for Santorum. There isn't anything fake about him. Been married for how long? To the same woman. Is pro-life...just look at his passel of kids. Now, perhaps you can try to convince me to switch to your candidate. Just don't resort to nastiness. If you are on the Right, then we're on the same side. No friendly fire incidents.
33 posted on 02/20/2012 5:22:43 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: rdb3
How about this gamechanger from America's Got Talent (which they SHOULD have won).

Oh my gosh rdb3...that's stupendous! Impressive to say the least...Loved it!!!

34 posted on 02/20/2012 5:29:28 PM PST by caww
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To: caww

I too have heard all these facts, but facts are only good with context. He did back Specter because Specter mentored him in his early career, therefore to do so would have been backstabbing. I’ll get you a list of his ratings with conservative groups, so you can judge. Remember to always find out why things happened rather than just assuming it is one way.


35 posted on 02/20/2012 5:30:15 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: caww

Bet ya didn’t know the following have rated Santorum at:
Freedom Works 82%
American s For Tax Reform 95%
American Shareholders Association 100%
National Taxpayers Union 83%
National Federation of Independent Businesses 88%
US Chamber of Commerce 100%
Small Business and Entrepenuer Council 100%

This is just a short list.

I would encourage you to find out why he voted certain ways.


36 posted on 02/20/2012 5:50:48 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: caww

who are the Freedomists?

Bet ya didn’t know the following have rated Santorum at:
Freedom Works 82%
American s For Tax Reform 95%
American Shareholders Association 100%
National Taxpayers Union 83%
National Federation of Independent Businesses 88%
US Chamber of Commerce 100%
Small Business and Entrepenuer Council 100%

This is just a short list.

I would encourage you to find out why he voted certain ways.


37 posted on 02/20/2012 5:51:20 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: caww

What is the Freedomist?

Bet ya didn’t know the following have rated Santorum at:
Freedom Works 82%
American s For Tax Reform 95%
American Shareholders Association 100%
National Taxpayers Union 83%
National Federation of Independent Businesses 88%
US Chamber of Commerce 100%
Small Business and Entrepenuer Council 100%

This is just a short list.

I would encourage you to find out why he voted certain ways.


38 posted on 02/20/2012 5:51:42 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: rdb3

Rdb3....Just listened further to “Nuttin but Stringz” these guys are fabulous! Awesome music in how they mix hip-hop with classical...though the music with less hip hop appeals more to me..they certainly are a class act! Thanks so much for posting their music.

I also visited the America’s Got Talent and who they were up against to win....you are absolutely right...they should have won for the performances they gave..and it looked like the audiance as well as the judges thought as much as well.

I hope they went on to gain recognition...I’m going to be getting their works as it’s impressive to hear.


39 posted on 02/20/2012 6:27:52 PM PST by caww
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To: oneamericanvoice
You don't need to encourage me to do anything concerning Santorum...I KNOW the excuses he gives for why he voted as he did and it doesn't deter from how he knowingly and purposely screwed up big time.....

Santorum tried to impress the left and still lost by 18 points in 2006....... He remains big gov’t through and through....raised debt ceiling 5 times,.... voted against right to work repeatedly, .....voted for bridge to nowhere twice,...... thinks states can & should ban condoms,..... voted 4 no child left behind..... and voted to double dept of education...... His tax reform proposal would have government pick winners and losers and would lead to massive fraud. These are NOT conservative!

Newt is the only "Proven & Accomplished" small gov’t conservative. He has most conservative 'record' of accomplishments and more than any other has done for conservatives.... and the most conservative proposals. No no other candidate can match him...not even close.

Newt is the most electable bcause of his record solving issues that faced our nation..not just talking about them as Santorum does.... same issues we face today. The fact he had to work with Bill Clinton to get 4 balanced budgets,... 4.2% unemployment,... entitlement reform,... 11 mil jobs in 4 yrs..... these are heads above all others and the facts speak for themselves!

40 posted on 02/20/2012 6:46:30 PM PST by caww
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