The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
A fascinating thread started by Diane Ellis looks at the question of Rick Santorum's earlier endorsement of the "moderate" Arlen Specter over "conservative" Pat Toomey. During the discussion, Professor Paul Rahe argued:
The notion that Santorum is less conservative than Romney is palpably superb. Both operated in blue states. Santorum gave us welfare reform; Romney gave us what even he calls Romneycare...
With all due respect to Professor Rahe, I'm not sure this is an apples-to-apples comparison. Let's go to the data:
- Governor: Since 1975, Massachusetts has had 8 governors. Half of these were Republicans. Over the same period, 4 of PA's 7 governors were Republicans. I'll concede this is a wash.
- House: During the 109th Congress (January 2005-January 2007), the final two years of Santorum's time in office, Republicans held 12 out of 19 congressional districts in Pennsylvania. However, they held 0 out of 10 in Massachusetts.
- Senate: Before Scott Brown, Republicans hadn't won a Senate race in Massachusetts since 1972. In Pennsylvania, however, Republicans have won 12 out of the 14 Senate races over the same period. (Ran out of fingers; hope my count is right.)
- President: Averaging out the last 5 presidential elections, MA is the bluest of the blue and PA is among the least blue of the blue.
All this to say -- again, with all due deference -- that Santorum's conservative accomplishments while a senator from Pennsylvania were probably not as difficult to achieve as, say, Romney's veto of emergency contraception, which earned him the lasting ire of NARAL. Santorum helped reform welfare. Terrific! But wasn't his political risk far less in so doing?
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Comments:
Nov '10
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
Sounds like this is about something different than conservative predisposition. Let us call it "conservative cojones" (can I say that on Ricochet)? It's not the question of the position one occupies, but the vigour with which one defends that position. Separate questions, but both valuable. If you're right then I confess surprise to see Romney faring better by this measure. Never having been a Romney booster, I'm open to hearing more.
Jan '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
Conservative vigor; good point! Would have to give it some thought (I'm not intimately familiar with the governor's record) but I'd point to you his record on vetoes:
Jul '10
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
I'd also note the inherent responsibility gulf between a governor and a legislator.
The tough/bad vs. worse calls are constant for the former, occasional (sometimes optional, see: vote, Present) for the latter.
Jan '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
Agreed, Palaeo. Example, the 2006 New England floods:
Nov '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
The difference between deep blue and purplish-blue, certainly. But the main point is that Santorum wasn't a red-stater with a safe seat -- he took real political risks.
It is good that Romney knows how to use a veto pen.
Jan '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
I agree, Leigh -- Santorum is politically courageous on many things, and I wouldn't even argue that Romney was more courageous than him. But the two situations were so different...
Dec '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
But the essential question is whether Santorum can win Pennsylvania against Obama. Romney is not going to win Massachusetts against Obama. Will Romney do better against Obama than Santorum in Pennsylvania? If a Republican carries Pennsylvania against Obama he will likely win Ohio and other Midwestern states. This would make it almost impossible for Obama to be reelected.
Sep '10
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
As a Pennsylvanian, I am offended that anyone would put us in the same category as Massachusetts.
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
You argue your case well. If Massachusetts is blue, Pennsylvania is purple. The difference between the two men goes deeper, however. Santorum never said, "I am a progressive in my views." And had he done so, no one would have believed him. Romney said it and was believed.
Jan '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
That is a good point, hadn't considered the personal/historical angle.
Apr '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
Prof. Rahe, he said "my views are progressive". I understand that you do not view the addition of the article to be significant, but would prefer it if you didn't.
Sep '10
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
Both men have demonstrated they are corrupt individuals and therefore qualified for the GOP nomination. Both have demonstrated they are willing to compromise their principles and therefore what precisely their principles are is at best an academic discussion. A better question might be how quickly each is willing to compromise. I would guess Romney would be quicker to form an alliance with moderate congressional Republicans and Democrats to continue the growth of the government, but both are surely capable of it.
Dec '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
If Tea Party Republicans elect a Tea Party Congress, it is likely that Santorum's straying from principled conservatism could be corrected. On the other hand, it is reasonable to expect that Romney would side with the progressive Democrats in order to appear fair-minded.
Oct '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
We're forever being told we should evaluate Romney's actions as Governor in light of his political environment. After all, it was the best he could do in the union's bluest state, right? That was funny for a while, but it's time to retire that inanity.
If we're asked to swallow this absurdity then the same argument must address the fact that Romney was chosen as governor by the most liberal electorate in the United States. No conservative could have possibly been nominated in Massachusetts, let alone elected. Mitt Romney is no conservative, he is a progressive statist. Don't take my word for it - the voters in Massachusetts said so.
If that's what people want, then make an honest case. But we've heard enough drivel about "he's conservative, but couldn't show it."
Dec '10
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
I am stuck on the phrase "palpably superb".
Especially since Professor Rahe seems to be saying that Santorum is more conservative. Did he mean absurd?
Oct '11
Re: The Nonequivalent Blue State Origins of Romney and Santorum
Jerry Broaddus: I am stuck on the phrase "palpably superb".
Especially since Professor Rahe seems to be saying that Santorum is more conservative. Did he mean absurd? · 19 hours ago
I imagine so. Literally, since I actually perceived "absurd" when I read the quote in this post. I am embarrassed, particularly because I so often explain leftist thought by the fact that much of our "reality" is created by our expectations.
I wonder if he was using Siri.