Posted on 02/15/2012 12:10:39 PM PST by NoPinkos
...Jonah Goldberg explained that Mike Huckabee's brand of conservatism was inconsistent with traditional conservatism, in that the former Arkansas Governor believes that government exists, not to protect individual liberty, but to make people live moral lives in accordance with his personal beliefs....
While Rick Santorum doesn't have the record of supporting tax hikes that Tax Hike Mike had or some of the other points listed above--though some of the do apply, he certainly has a record of backing certain social policies based upon the notion that government exists to ensure a certain behavior from its citizens....
On the fiscal and regulatory side of the equation, Santorum doesn't even come close to having a record worthy of Tea Party support....
The only two conclusions I can draw from this is that the anti-Romney faction in the Republican electorate will so blindly follow whoever is deemed to be their "guy" at the moment that they don't care about his economic statism....
The other is that the Tea Party movement has been completely overrun with social conservatives. If that's the case, Republicans will lose this election, and lose it badly. That's not to say that social conservatives can't be fiscal conservatives, rather fiscal issues must come first in this election....
Santorum's social conservatism is going to turn away independent voters. For example, his strange rant against contraceptives is going to sound nutty and unserious to many on-the-fence voters in swing states. And national polls show that voters are now supportive of gay marriage, which Santorum vigoriously opposes.
This is the bed that Republicans have made. The idea that Santorum would be any better on fiscal issues than Romney is absurd. They're both fiscal moderates that aren't going to change the culture of waste in Washington.
(Excerpt) Read more at unitedliberty.org ...
I largely agree. He is decidedly opposed to libertarianism, and it grates on social libertines.
On threads about Santorum, I can’t help but notice the same usual suspects bashing him. Most fit into the socially liberal camp, but I can’t help but notice a few anti-Catholics whose opposition to him is seemingly caused by the fact that he is sincerely Catholic. Then on the other hand, I also notice a freeper or two that are normally socially conservative and Catholic but still bash him with irrational venom.
It’s ironic how everyone on this site decries the treatment that Sarah Palin received from liberals for her generally conservative family life and views on social issues. Then, when the more socially conservative Santorum is demonized, freepers don’t just accept his treatment, they join in on the demonization with the exact same pejoratives that the left uses.
Well, I never heard his "strange rant against contraceptives" but this article overall validates what I have been trying to tell people these last many weeks. Santorum is a sitting duck for "religious fanatic" demogoguery, and can easily be backed into corners where he will have to say something outrageous for the record in order to appear not to betray his principles. He under-estimates his opposition and he is not the only one out there who can use reductio ad absurdum to snag an unsuspecting victim. Yeah I'd say he's toast, and have been.
Amen! and that's the truth!
Go Newt Go!!!! And may God continue to pave the way around the obstacles of the left and right! We shall surely soon see!!!!
It's one thing to disagree with his flaws, point them out, and sell others on the idea that Newt would be a better candidate. That's not what you're doing, though.
You are vastly overstating his flaws when it comes to social issues. Here are two quotes from your past comments:
He wont like the kids working because that would eat into Rick’s base voter, a government union thug.
And he calls Mitt a liberal......
I am willing to bet that there are more unfair posts like these from you, but I'm not willing to search deeper.
The circular firing squad which you are a part of does not help Gingrich. It helps Romney and Obama.
(well that, and I don’t think his personae will sell at all in the general election....)
I'm not thrilled with any of our candidates, either, but who else do you think will sell? Gingrich's poll numbers indicate that he won't. Romney? Paul?
Look how he's doing in recent polls in states such as Michigan. Here's one important reason why he's electable that people often miss: he's often labeled as a "northeastern" Republican like he's from New York or New England. He's not. He's from the Pittsburgh area (it actually votes relatively conservatively these day), which means he's from the rust belt, not the east coast as some would suggest. He fits in well with people there: strong on social issues, gun issues, national defense issues, with fiscal issues being the weakness. If you notice, many of the most important swing states, which are necessary to win the election, are in the rust belt: Pa, Ohio, Michigan, etc.
That’s what some have suggested.
Others have suggested that they could be Romney backers who can only support him indirectly on this site.
I wouldn’t be surprised either way, although I find the second to be more likely.
Then you need to...it's on Youtube and you should watch since the libs, Romney and Obama are going to run with it. So Santorum needs to get out ahead of it before it takes flight, because it will alienate many woman voters.
Not credible. Rick Santorum bears the burden of offering proof when asked.
Well since he hasn’t been asked it is a moot point. Too bad for you. lol.
If Santorum ends up being Obama, I will be the first to yell impeachment. Seriously, Why on God's green Earth would you even want Santorum to be Obama. I know you are not an Obama supporter so hopefully this is just some momentary lapse of judgment.
>> Santorum is a sitting duck for “religious fanatic” demogoguery
Agreed. He was destroyed in his home state when running against that dolt for Senate. The Left was nasty, hateful, and abusive.
It’s unfortunate. Santorum is a really good guy, but he tends to project a paternalism that is not exactly inviting.
>> Should Rick get the nomination, in-your-face freaks like that will be coming out of the woodwork to protest him
Those assholes came out in full force during Santorum’s final Senate bid.
If Rick gets the nomination, there will be plenty of work ahead to stave off the vitriolic hatred that’s plagued him and his family before.
That's BS...but don't let the actual numbers get in the way of your distortions. Santorum's lifetime rating is 88.1. The average for the second half of his 16 year congressional career is 94.6. That does not make for a trend line of increasing liberalism.
Santorum's ACU ratings by year:
====Senate====
2006 - 96
2005 - 92
2004 - 96
2003 - 90
2002 - 95
2001 - 100
2000 - 100
1999 - 88
1998 - 84
1997 - 84
1996 - 95
1995 - 83
====House====
1994 - 81
1993 - 70
1992 - 83
1991 - 80
Sorry, I meant can not beat Obama. I can’t type, I am old. LOL
Rick Santorum was very active politically during the time of TARP, yet he chose to be silent until afterwards. He has no moral standing saying he opposed TARP. Facts are funny things. However, even if he had, it would not change my mind. I can support him, if he is the last man standing. OK?
Ok, this is the last time I will say anything about the word Newbie. It is silly. I have been active in political discourse longer than many on this board have been alive. Yes, I signed up on this particular board a couple of weeks ago. Don’t tell me because of that I just don’t get it, or I am not a conservative. I am pro-life (my greatest issue by the way), and I am a hawk on national defense. However, in this election cycle our chief concern needs to fiscal. It is the biggest threat to our country. And yes, I understand how it all works together, thanks. Rick Santorum, was a conservative, establishment guy, and I would bet the farm that he would have voted for TARP had he had the chance. That my friend is an opinion. If you that that opinion with you to the coffe shop and give them a couple of dollars you can get a cup of coffee, unless it is Starbucks, then take five.
Sorry, I meant can not beat Obama. I can’t type, I am old. LOL
Oh I do that all the time too.
I note that during one of the recent debates, the subject of SOPA/PIPA (a bill introduced by coin-operated Congresscritters to cripple the Internet at the behest of old-style media) came up. The responses boiled down to:
Newt Gingrich: Not just NO, but HELL NO!
Ron Paul: Not just NO, but HELL NO!
Mitt Romney: What those other two guys said.
Rick Santorum: Well... these bills have a few flaws, but we need to so something along those lines... Congress can try again later....
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