“Three Reasons Santorum Will Lose Against Obama
First, His views on libertarians: Rick Santorum has said he hates the radical individualism of libertarianism and will do anything to keep it out of the conservative movement. Ron Paul voters and some tea party folks are going to be hard pressed to hear that. Theyll probably support likely libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, a popular two term former New Mexico governor over a one term senator who lost his re-election bid by 18 points. Libertarians have to become part of our coalition or we start losing elections. We dont have to embrace everything they stand for, just like the mainstream conservative movement doesnt accept all of neoconservatism or any other strain of conservatism, but weve got to recognize, in some ways, theyre right and weve got enough commonalities that building a coalition at this point is actually an incredibly positive thing, especially as more younger voters with right-leaning views will probably subscribe to aspects of libertarianism, as it allows for more liberal social views even though younger voters tend to be more pro-life.
Next is his big government conservatism. Its not just his past views, Santorum thinks the progressive income tax system is just fine and said he is proud of his earmarks. No bueno. I also havent heard any compelling reforms from him regarding Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. I dont think Santorum has a good grasp of how dire our fiscal situation is. If he did, he would want to save wherever he could. Saying earmarks are just fine and the real problem is entitlements without offering any meaningful entitlement reform proposals is like an irresponsible family in the midst of a fiscal crisis coming together and saying spending money on fast food isnt the problem, its that we buy a flat screen TV every month thats the problem. Santorum is clearly out of his depth here, people like him because of his social views.
Finally, speaking of His social views, they are extreme and way out of the mainstream. I say that as a pretty socially conservative person myself. People thought Stephanopolus was nuts for asking about contraception, but if you look at what Santorum said as late as last year, you will see why. He believes states should be able to ban contraception and that he thinks contraception is bad because it leads to people doing immoral things sexually. See this is where I think Santorum takes it too far: unless a person is being harmed or an animal is being treated inhumanely (youll see why I had to say that in a second), its none of the governments business what one does in the privacy of their own bedroom. Santorums rhetoric on gays is also way over the top. Comparing gays to pedophiles and people who have sex with animals is WAY out of line, and it will turn off a lot of people. Look, its not bad to have a moral objection to homosexual behavior. For some it is a matter of deep faith. But last I checked, Jesus didnt attach any conditions to love thy neighbor. I am not saying that we should condone anything, but its not our place to condemn anything either. Santorum seems to believe its his job to pastor the nation. That is not his job, his job should he be elected is to be the president of everyone.”
http://www.redstate.com/joshleguern/2012/02/13/three-reasons-santorum-will-lose-against-obama/
(continued)
“Obama will hit Santorum hard for all of the above. Hell invite libertarians to come and vote for him again (which is crazy to me, but whatever) Hell ask voters why they should trust him if the people of PA obviously did not? Hell run the 2006 campaign against Santorum all over again, telling people how we wouldnt have gotten into this mess if it wasnt for Bush and people like Santorum and the exorbitant amounts of spending that occurred during the Bush years (even though Obama would be a HUGE hypocrite for that seeing how his spending is even more out of control.)
As a member of the senate, Obama will play every clip of Santorum supporting unpopular Bush-era spending policy calling Santorum Bushs right hand man in the senate He would also hit Santorum hard for his extreme social views, calling him way out of the mainstream. Santorum will be blasted as anti-gay and homophobic and just like that Salon article I linked to above, the left will accuse him of wanting to take away your birth control.
In debates, Obama will press Santorum on social issues. The main stream media will be all but happy to oblige keeping the debate away from ObamaCare, away from run away spending and making it all about Santorums extreme social views. They will do whatever they can to scare voters away from him. Meanwhile Tea Party and libertarian support will crumble once they find out about Santorums record and what he actually stands for fiscally.
Is all of that true? No. But it doesnt matter, Obama will have close to a billion dollars and the mainstream media at his side. Santorum has all the right weaknesses for an Obama victory in 2012. Michelle Malkin, Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin and other bloggers, commentators, and radio hosts I admire greatly can support Santorum all they want, but I am afraid theyll be in for a big surprise come November. Santorum will lose if he is the nominee in 2012.”
The next debate can’t come too soon. Time for some good old fashioned clock cleanin’.