Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
ABC News reports that former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum will make his presidential run official today. Kathryn Lopez over at National Review comments favorably on that announcement here. She reminds readers of his social conservatism.
Over at the Washington Examiner, however, Phil Klein wants to remind readers of a different part of his record.
Though he now speaks out against earmarks, he took them while in the Senate. He also pushed milk supports for dairy farmers in rural Pennsylvania. And who can forget the fact thathe endorsed Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in the 2004 GOP Senate primary in Pennsylvania. And we all know how that turned out -- Specter went on to become a Democrat and cast the deciding vote for Obamacare, while Toomey proved he could actually get elected statewide in Pennsylvania.
During CPAC, I spoke with Santorum on several of these issues. He argued that he would have taken stronger positions on spending during the Bush years if there had been a Tea Party to back him up, though he still defended his support for dairy subsidies.
For Klein, his propensity for speaking about social issues in a way that is less than tactful is also a negative.
But what do you think? Are you glad to see Santorum in the race? Any Santorum supporters here in our ranks? What value do you think he brings to the race?
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
I tend to agree with Klein. For Santorum to point to the lack of a tea party movement as an excuse for the weak spots in his record isn't exactly leaderlike. And his endorsement of Specter was a too-serious betrayal of the base for him to be convincing as the stalwart, buck-the-political-tide conservative the Republican party is (or should be) looking for this cycle.
Dec '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
Ah, Rick Santorum: The answer to a question nobody asked.
And I live in Pennsylvania. I know him well.
Jul '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
Rick belongs in the supple-spined legion of the lost led by Newt. These nuisances are always somewhere in the background.
Mar '11
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
I agree with Klein as well. Santorum’s endorsement of Specter and milk supports casts doubt on his claim to economic conservatism. He is, in a word, unelectable. The stakes are too high in 2012. We need the real deal.
Edited on Jun 6, 2011 at 9:03amApr '11
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
While Toomey proved he could win statewide in Pennsylvania this year, it was on the back of a Republican/Tea Party wave and was extremely close. I'm not sure he would have been able to win in 2004.
On the other hand, Santorum's excuse for not standing up for spending; that there was no Tea Party to back him up is ludicrous. And if it is true, that does not speak very well about Santorum's character. If he gets elected, he's going to face vicious demonization from the Democrats, the media, liberal groups and the entrenched bureaucracy. We need someone who's willing to fight these people.
Apr '11
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
I agree with Rick Santorum's social stances but being from Pennsylvania myself I don't think he is electable in a presidential election. His tact and his tone at times is discussing issues is problematic.
I've listened to him almost every Friday on Bill Bennett's radio program and he doesn't handle himself as a strong candidate.
And he sold our state and country out in backing Benedict Arlen Specter. Nuff Said!
May '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
I worry that coverage of Santorum is going to be all abortion and gay marriage. That's not where our focus should be in 2012. I was with Daniels when he called for a truce on social issues. It's all economy, all that time.
Well, mostly economy, along with a certain amount of pointing out how close Obama has been to Bush on national security issues, in hopes that that will depress turnout among the far left.
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
How plausible can a candidate be who was thoroughly repudiated by the voters in his home state? Like the other has-beens in the race, but to an even greater degree, Santorum is doing a vanity tour.
Jul '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
Yawn. Wake me up when Paul Ryan announces.
Feb '11
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
"In Santorum’s mind, what politicians need to focus on isn’t the vitality of government, but the promise inherent in U.S. citizens. “I believe now, that Americans now are not looking for someone they can believe in,” he said. “They’re looking for a president who believes in them.”"
Oh reeeally...we're "the ones who've been waiting for the One who will believe in us"? Give me a break. Why do we have to put up with a conservative brand of hopey changy-ness.
Vanity tour indeed.
May '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
Don't forget that the reward conservatives got for getting out the vote for Bush and the Republican Senate in 2004 was that Specter got to be judiciary committee chairman.
I see Santorum and Bush's endorsement of Specter over Toomey as the pivot point of the Republican loss of the Senate in 2006, and an initiator of the Republican loss of the house and presidency in 2008.
Whatever his talk, I would expect a President Santorum to stab social issue conservatives in the back a number of times in 4 years. Or at best just benignly neglect social issues until re-elect time.
Dec '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
The best we can hope for with Santorum's entry into the race? With every such entrant, the Obama machine becomes more nervous about his vulnerability, given the long-shot status of guys who think it's worth a try.
Jun '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
I'm glad Santorum has entered the race because his politically expedient (or so he thought)betrayal of his base will show the drastic contrast between the "supple-spined legion of the lost" and Paul Ryan. (Goood one, Jerry!) Keep the wussy candidates coming and Ryan just rises rapidly to the top without even trying.K-Lo, God love her, has had a serious crush on Santorum for years. She's a fine editor and champion of life issues, but is compeltely blind on all things Santorum.I've heard him fill in for Bill Bennett -- what a snorefest. He's not very quick witted and will be easily dismissed in future debates.
Apr '11
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........
Aug '10
Re: Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid
Wow! Tough crowd.
Save us, Obi-Wan Ryan!