One problem: Rick Santorum never said he would ‘rather have Barack Obama as president’

Daily Caller ^ | March 23, 2012 | Matt K. Lewis

[God'sgrrl]

Rick Santorum is getting grief — even from some of his supporters — for saying we’d be better off sticking with Barack Obama.

The only problem is…he didn’t say that.

Here’s what Santorum actually said:

“You win by giving people a choice. You win by giving people the opportunity to see a different vision for our country, not someone who’s just going to be a little different than the person in there. If you’re going to be a little different, we might as well stay with what we have instead of taking a risk with what may be the Etch A Sketch candidate of the future,” Santorum told a crowd at USAA.

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[Kazan]

This is idiocy, a completely unnecessary statement, designed only for the benefit of his self absorbed self.

If a candidate you liked said, you'd be calling the statement principled and the truth. The statement was both. Romney is an unacceptable nominee and would greatly depress Republican voter turnout.

[StAnDeliver]

"The Gingrich supporters make me think that we’re like two guys trapped in a lifeboat dying of thirst. We’re both dying, but the one guy insists on continually pointing out that the other guy is dying to make himself feel better."

Santorum is the guy who decided to start drinking the seawater once the lifeboat lost sight of Puerto Rico...

[mojitojoe]

Come on, he didn’t use those exact words but what he said was the same thing. There is no covering up what he said. I can’t stand Santorum. He and Romney both make me nauseous.

[InfraRed]

We cannot beat the left wing media and the Democrats if we are fighting amongst ourselves.

If you're supporting Romney, the left-wing media and Democrats have already won.

[trappedincanuckistan]

I agree with what he said. The difference is I’m not running to get the nomination of the Republican Party. Doh!

[Kazan]

If for no other reason we need an “R” in the WH because there will most likely be one or two Supreme Court judge's appointed in the next 4 years.

You're unaware of the liberal justices Romney packed the courts with in Massachusetts?

Or that Anthony Kennedy has said he won't retire with Obama in the White House but he likely would with Romney in it? Who says Romney isn't going to stick us with another David Souter and move the court to the left in that scenario?

[caww]

Even Pro Santorum Delegate that he has already won is struggling with his comments.

Of course they would as any would....his off the cuff remarks show he has difficulty bridling his tongue and certainly not evidencing he sees the peril this country is in and the significance of this election.

Rick really has nothing to loose at this juncture...even if he looses the Primary he has gained what he sought and that is the notoriety to secure his political yearnings and stability of remaining in the playing field of politics and the perks with it.

[Lucky9teen]

[StAnDeliver]

"I think Santorum just blew up that idea."

I think that was the idea. It wasn't enough that petrified GOPe dolts like Dole told him to get out, but the next day the grey suits completed the exacta by promoting Rubio as VP.

It's all in the script, but the latter bit of gamesmanship must have really yanked Santorum by the short hairs, because all things being equal, he had a historical argument for the first ask.

[caww]

Just discovered this about Santorum as well...suprised me I must say.

Santorum is also a big fan of laying and collecting taxes to fund the National endowment for the Arts, which is NOT authorized by our Constitution and uses tax payer dollars to finance such things as:

Annie Sprinkle’s porn performance in New York and Andres Serrano’s photographs of a crucifix submerged in urine.

And when real conservatives were trying to de-fund this un-constitutional sewer slush fund in the 90s, Rick Sanctorum was there defending it and voting to continue using the force of the federal government to tax Mary and Joe Sixpack’s paycheck to fund this un-constitutional agency.

[copaliscrossing]

Anyway, IF the GOP cannot pick a Newt, Rick, or Sarah...I won’t support them anymore. If that means Obama wins another term...then so be it. Give ME a CLEAR CUT CHOICE or be greeted with apathy.

OK, I have been reading a lot of stuff on this thread that kinda' reminds me of the type of civility I seen on DU. Here's the bottom line for me and I will only speak for me and not the aforementioned "Newt, Rick, or Sarah..." and it also sounds like Santorum in his "walk back" today. I would venture to guess that IF Romney is the Republican nominee in the General Election Newt, Rick, Sarah and all the rest of the folks that we wish were the nominee will ALL vote for Romney and it boggles my mind that someone would "sit it out" when these very smart conservative people "get it" and will most likely vote for Romney.

Calm down folks. Take a deep breath. I really hate these primary seasons....sheesh.

[Gene Eric]

>> One problem: Rick Santorum never said he would ‘rather have Barack Obama as president

Here's Rick's pearl of wisdom with names in case anyone is confused:

"If you’re going to be a little different, we might as well stay with [Obama] instead of taking a risk with [Romney]" Santorum told a crowd at USAA.

[StAnDeliver]

"Rick was right in his statement. Who is going to vote Obummer Lite when they can have the real thing. I remember some dude talking about the difference between Pale Pastels and Bold Colors a number of years back as well."

The same 'dude' who then nominated Rockefeller RINO Sen. Schweiker the very next year at the '76 convention as his running mate...you may remember Dick Schweiker, he was "in PA" too...

[mojitojoe]

Yep!

[Gene Eric]

>> Clearly the people who need translations for everything the man says, really don’t want to know the truth

Following Rick’s rationale, it seems he and his disciples will be voting for Obama if he doesn’t win the nomination.

The ‘truth’ is that Rick is beyond reproach and infallible. /s

[throwback]

Feel better now?

[mojitojoe]

One problem, he would get zero independent voters and he would lose in the biggest landslide in history. He is not a likeable person and he ruined Newts chances. If he wins the nomination, of course I will vote for him. I would vote for Jeffrey Dahmer over Hussein.

[God'sgrrl]

Come on, he didn’t use those exact words but what he said was the same thing. There is no covering up what he said. I can’t stand Santorum. He and Romney both make me nauseous.

At least you admit you can't stand Santorum. But don't claim they weren't his exact words and state that it doesn't matter how the media spins it.

[SnakeDoctor]

Parse the words any way you want ... it was still stupid. I like Rick. I lean toward voting for him. He needs to think before he speaks.

SnakeDoc

[God'sgrrl]

Watch the spin. It was happening then, it continues today.