The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Just off the top of my head, I can recall at least half a dozen pieces over the last ten days in the Wall Street Journal, National Review Online, the Weekly Standard, etc., that all urged Mitt Romney to develop a big idea or two, a message, a vision. For reasons known only to Gov. Romney and his advisors, he never did. The result?
From Byron York's report in today's Washington Examiner:
The shift to Santorum was fast and overwhelming. In the end, Santorum beat Romney by 27 points in a state [Minnesota] Romney had won by 19 points back in 2008. Santorum scored an even bigger victory in Missouri's beauty-contest, nonbinding primary, beating Romney by 30 points. And even in Colorado, where the race was closer, Santorum came out ahead. For a candidate who hadn't won since his narrow and belated victory in Iowa, it was three victories in one night. Santorum has now won four contests to Romney's three and Gingrich's one....
On Tuesday morning, as it became clear Romney would not have a good night, his campaign's political director, Rich Beeson, sent out a memo trying to put things in perspective. "John McCain lost 19 states in 2008, and we expect our opponents to notch a few wins too," Beeson wrote. "But unlike the other candidates, our campaign has the resources and organization to keep winning over the long run."...
After the returns came in, I asked Santorum spokesman Hogan Gidley what he thought about Rich Beeson's message. Sure, Santorum did well on Tuesday, but doesn't Romney have the money and infrastructure to outdistance Santorum, and everyone else, in the long run?
"What an inspiring message," Gidley said sarcastically. "That is really inspiring. I can't wait to put a bumper sticker on my truck that says MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012."
"No one had more money and infrastructure than Hillary Clinton, and hope and change wiped her off the map," Gidley continued. "We'll have money, and we'll have infrastructure, but our nominee has to have a message that people can get behind and inspires people."
Gingrich and Paul represent non-factors, at least for now, while Romney has been placed, to a really astonishing extent, on the defensive--if he achieves anything less than an enormous victory in Michigan he'll look vulnerable. Money and organization still count for a great deal, of course, and the Intrade odds that show Romney the heavy favorite to capture the nomination remain plausible.
But this is Rick Santorum's moment.
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Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Well, now I'll have that Beatles song lodged firmly in my head the rest of the day. "Money can't buy me love."
Jun '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Romney has the money, the organization, and (apparently) the backing of the party establishment. But it might be that Santorum has the base. This might be a golden opportunity for conservatives to retake the party. Here's hoping.
Sep '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Evitable.
Aug '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
There's plenty of ammunition for Romney to throw at Santorum, like Santorum's opposition to NAFTA and his support for protectionist tariffs.
Dec '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Let's see if the third (or is it fourth?) guy to have his moment can use it for something productive.
Jun '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Santorum points out: Romney is criticizing him (Santorum) for losing reelection to the Senate in a year (2006) when Romney was not even popular enough to run for reelection, period. When you put it that way....
Maybe Santorum's mistake was tying himself so closely to George W. Bush. I think Santorum's loss was more a verdict on Bush's popularity in late 2006--the absolute worst period of the Iraq War--not his own popularity. People can like you, and respect you, and still vote against you for other reasons.
May '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Jennifer Rubin set out a plan for Santorum that is more sensible than anything I've seen yet from his own advisers. And, you know what? If he can go out and beat Romney on Super Tuesday, he will deserve the support he gets, and if Romney can't beat Santorum overall, he will have earned his loss.
My own suspicion, which I have widely articulated when predicting this inevitable, "last ABR standing" boomlet, is that Santorum's narrow, but fervent, base of support, will not serve him well among what Jay Cost categorizes as the "fairly conservative". It will be interesting to see how Newt handles things when he is back in the next set of races. This was the fervent evangelical vote coming out Tuesday night, the key in both Colorado and Minnesota.
But Santorum is at least a serious and sober candidate, unlike the prior ABR favorites-of-the-week.
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
True enough, although with Romney calling for something very close to trade sanctions on China, I'm not sure he's in a position to press these points very hard.
But a Romney-Santorum exchange will prove healthy. In his personal life, Santorum is as impeccable as is Romney. Neither, in short, will be in a position to throw mud. They'll be forced--forced--to debate policy.
So, at least, I hope.
May '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Peter Robinson
True enough, although with Romney calling for something very close to trade sanctions on China, I'm not sure he's in a position to press these points very hard.
But a Romney-Santorum exchange will prove healthy. In his personal life, Santorum is as impeccable as is Romney. Neither, in short, will be in a position to throw mud. They'll be forced--forced--to debate policy.
So, at least, I hope. · 0 minutes ago
Peter, policy debates are great as long as they are true policy debates. Newt's approach was to call private venture and buyout finds "vulture capital"- I care not if thjey wish to impugn each other's character, but I sure want our side not to undercut free market economic principles the way Gingrich and Perry did.
There is also a difference between enforcing WTO anti-dumping rules and opposing NAFTA, CAFTA, or other FTA.
Aug '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Peter Robinson
True enough, although with Romney calling for something very close to trade sanctions on China, I'm not sure he's in a position to press these points very hard.
But a Romney-Santorum exchange will prove healthy. In his personal life, Santorum is as impeccable as is Romney. Neither, in short, will be in a position to throw mud. They'll be forced--forced--to debate policy.
So, at least, I hope. · 6 minutes ago
Agreed. Strongly.
May '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
He was rated as 100% pro Free Trade by CATO based on his votes. His earlier weakness on this issue has been fully reversed for years, as documented by how he voted most recently in the Senate.
In contrast, Mitt Romney gets a score of 55% for his actual record as governor of Massachusetts.
If Romney makes that charge stick, it would be a horrible affront to the truth.
Edited on February 8, 2012 at 8:37pmMar '11
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Important lesson here... Coffee-in-the-breakfast-nook Rick is the same guy as Running-for-President Rick. We like that.
Dec '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Agreed. And he looks like he dresses himself. That cannot be said for Romney.
Aug '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Chris Deleon
He was rated as 100% pro Free Trade by CATO based on his votes. His earlier weakness on this issue has been fully reversed for years, as documented by how he voted most recently in the Senate.
I stand (or rather, sit) corrected.
May '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
As I said on another thread, a fairly libertarian-leaning talk show host I listen to, Mark Davis, has no problem with Santorum.
There's really not much for libertarians and small-government types to fear from Santorum... at least, that they shouldn't fear even more from a Romney presidency. He's been caricatured as a rabid social rightwinger, breaking down people's doors in the middle of the night to check on their sex lives, etc.
Based on his record, he's one of the closest to the conservative positions across the different issues as you'll find in a politician, including on fiscal and free trade issues.
As for the social issues, I can't see him being able to or even trying to implement some of the scare scenarios painted of him. I do see him pushing hard for true conservative nominees to the Supreme Court; using his executive orders to allow freedom of conscience and religion in things like the recent birth-control issue; using the bully pulpit to speak about the importance of family; and dismantling (as much as he has the power to) the government institutions that break down the family.
May '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
I was just trying to think of a way to word the sentiment you just expressed beautifully Chris. Thanks. What do libertarians or even independents who disagree with Santorum on social issues have to fear from the man? His powers of persuasion? He is a conservative who believes in the Constitution and separation of powers. Now, contrast that with President Obama who has pledged to act unilaterally if Congress doesn't do his bidding!
Edited on February 8, 2012 at 9:34pmJan '12
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
Chris Deleon: As I said on another thread, a fairly libertarian-leaning talk show host I listen to, Mark Davis, has no problem with Santorum.
As for the social issues, I can't see him being able to or even trying to implement some of the scare scenarios painted of him. I do see him pushing hard for true conservative nominees to the Supreme Court; using his executive orders to allow freedom of conscience and religion ... and dismantling (as much as he has the power to) the government institutions that break down the family. · 23 minutes ago
You have eased my mind somewhat. And, is that a cat he is holding? If so, my opinion of him just went up a few notches.
California primary is not until June. I have some time yet before deciding who, if anyone, will get my vote. (Don't worry, I'll definitely vote for the nominee in the general.) Of course, California Republicans are Romney to the max, so it scarcely matters for which non-Romney I vote. Anyway, the whole thing may be finished by the time I even receive my absentee ballot.
Mar '11
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
I'm a lot more enthusiastic about Mr Santorum's wins last night than many here on Ricochet. And I am an agnostic, not that much into social issues.
For me, it's nothing to do with religion - for the first time in the race I feel that we conservatives have a good spokesman that we can rely on to "punch back twice as hard" against Mr Obama.
It's so refreshing to listen to his victory speech last nite without worrying about whether he is going to put his foot in his mouth. He spoke with the minimum of notes, because he is a conservative at heart.
We chat a lot here about tipping points, but I think last nite was a tipping point - the more people see of Mr Santorum the more they will like him - and I include "moderates" in that.
I think he has a pretty good chance of winning, both the nomination and the White House.
I am gonna celebrate by filling in (out) my AZ absentee ballot.
May '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
No, I think you've summarized the sentiment much better than I did, and more concisely.
May '10
Re: The State of the Race, Or MONEY-INFRASTRUCTURE 2012
David Williamson: I'm a lot more enthusiastic about Mr Santorum's wins last night than many here on Ricochet. And I am an agnostic, not that much into social issues...
I am gonna celebrate by filling in (out) my AZ absentee ballot.
Great!
Everyone, find your state primary date here, register, and GO VOTE! For the first time in a long time, your vote in the later primary states may actually make a difference.