Posted on 01/11/2014 10:13:11 AM PST by Drew68
Republicans “live in a bubble,” former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum told the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature Thursday, and are detached from the pop culture and concerns of the average Americans whose allegiance they need to prevail nationally.
“We live in a bubble. We don’t realize what’s going on,” said the once and perhaps future presidential candidate who is now head of a movie studio based in Flower Mound that produces Christian entertainment. “How many of you watch prime time network television? I suspect none of you.”
He told his audience, which will also be hearing Thursday from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, that they also tend assume everyone shares their drive. “Republicans by and large are Type A personalities who want to climb to the top of the ladder, ” said Santorum. But, “a lot of people want to be good simple folks, go to work, 9 to 5.”
The consequence: “No one’s talking to the job holder — not the job creator. We don’t want to talk to people who want to be with us.”
He said it is a failure of empathy that has led Republicans to spend too much time talking negatively — “cut this, cut that” — focused on facts and figures, pie charts and bar graphs, while Democrats talk more compellingly in stories and images that are the way most people receive information.
“Our programs are right, our message stinks,” said Santorum.
He said President Barack Obama is right to focus on growing income inequality, though he said the president’s policies have only accelerated the divide.
The nostrum, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” means little when “there are a lot more Americans with holes in their boats … when the tide rises they just sink deeper.”
Santorum said Obama prevailed even in a bad economy and FDR won a third term after presiding over 25 percent unemployment, not because their programs worked but because they communicated to people that they cared about.
Meanwhile, he said, Republicans “have to get 50 percent of the vote from people who don’t think you care about them.”
Santorum said the American revolutionaries prevailed against the odds, because they wanted it more, reciting the final words of the Declaration of Independence – “we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
In America today, he said, it is the left that wants it more.
“They have the fight, they have the passion. Why? Because they want the power.”
When people ask him, “what can I do?” Santorum says he replies, “Something.”
“Start fighting everywhere,” he said.
Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, said he especially appreciated Santorum’s call for Republicans to broaden their audience beyond the usual crowd of business owners.
“I hope we take that to heart,” he said.
The scrotum boxes are kept below the counter.
Santorum needs to join or refresh what he MAY have learned from belonging to Toastmasters.
The GOPe lives in that bubble called Washington, DC.
Be careful... I can think of at least 52% (how much did Obama get) of voters who are. LOL
If he’s trying to reign in the Republican rank and file, that’s not the way to do it IMO.
Agreed...
That seemed a little muddled.
Contextually Insane?
Santorum is right. The republicans preach the message, but have no true personal understanding of the struggles of this economy.
I challenge them to come out into the heartland and actually talk to some of us. Maybe then they could be shown how to develop their message.
That was a problem for you? Do you vote for a personality? Santorum is a blow hard - all the things Newt was for - Santorum did not want - he wanted LIBERAL Romney. He outed himself twice with taking one for the team against a Conservative and what was the best for America. Slickrick is and was in it for himself and blind R voters still can't see what was obvious.
Too funny and too true!
Republicans are losing their conservative base. Second time in the past couple of days that I saw a Republican say he was registering as an independent.
:-)
Should they be talking to us or listening to us, as Cruz suggests?
Your lack of discernment prevents you from seeing what was obvious. Other people can see what you can’t. Nice of you to show how at this late date, you still remain easy to deceive. You’re the type scummy politicians feed on.
Hey Rick, we have never known all of what’s going on except the cheating, lying and stealing.
I was for Newt, hoped he would win. He surged, then he faltered, and he did it all by himself. It was his fault alone for becoming mute during his last debate performances and blabbing on around the Space coast as he did.
Sorry, aim your "deceived" posts at someone on another site. Or at yourself.......
He’s saying that we need to be better bulls*** artists. Maybe he’s right.
The one person who has credibility in DC that can attack the one party mob run system is Ted Cruz.
Why because he has “not been there long enough”.
I suggest you think about what I'm saying here: Rick Santorum as a Senator was a part of the group that put RINOs in charge of Congressional Republicans. He was part of the group who allowed “K” Street lobbyists to call the shots in the RNC.
If, however, you are indeed stating that fiscal conservatism and social conservatism are “irrevocably joined together”, then I agree 100%.
Richard J. Santorum is not to be trusted. But he stated a valid truth in that the message Republicans must get out to the public must explain how the Republican Party conservatives will make their lives better.
I have maintained during the past two years that the breakdown of law and order in our Justice system must be a major part of the conservative Republican message. Minorities especially are affected by this breakdown, and the Democratic Party is exacerbating the situation.
I agree. The masses vote their interests At least as they see them. And when not panicked by fear- mongering. Much of the time when a “ conservative” speaks, S/ he discusses mostly political or economic theory. They may do it very well. But what they often leave out is the bottom line that many voters want to hear : “And this is how my ideas / program will benefit you, the voter................” Stop talking in gross generalities , even truthful ones like “ rising water raises all boats “. Talk more about the types and numbers of jobs that the policies can be expected to lead to. Have some visuals with “ I want a job more than a handout. “ people. Exactitude
Is often impossible but painting a clear picture of probable outcomes is still essential. As is connecting those outcomes directly to the voters’ situations and concerns. To this degree, Santorum made a very valid point. The rest of his speech I will just let go by for now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.