Rick Santorum at CPAC: Is This the 45th President of the United States?
Please watch the full video — all 22 minutes.
A few things that strike me off the bat:
* I enjoy listening to Santorum. He holds my interest, his voice is pleasant to the ear, and his speaking style drives home his points in ways that are memorable. When he’s done speaking, I can — without taking notes — name at least five important things he said. I can’t do that when Romney talks.
* Karen Santorum looks like a First Lady, and the Santorum children look like First Sons and Daughters. I’m not a fan of the Cindy McCain/Calissta Gingrich plastic-y blonde brand of Republican wife…and I’m delighted to this day that the obnoxious cretin Meghan McCain never became a First Daughter herself. I like the tableau the Santorums paint on a stage and would enjoy this family living in the people’s house.
* Santorum is someone who, if I worked in an office with him, I’d go to seeking a mentor. If he was a neighbor who lived down the street, I’d like to get to know him and talk to him about politics or whatever. I think he’s incredibly approachable and very much a “regular guy”. That’s the sort of thing I like about people like Governor Sarah Palin…people who come off as public servants and not aristocrats.
* I can picture Santorum making an ass of Barack Obama in debates and not letting Obama get away with any garbage. I think Santorum would hit hard and often and would not back away from a fight. This is what I am looking for in a Republican nominee.I do not trust Romney to hit Obama hard and think Romney would wuss out the way John McCain did in 2008.
On Monday night, I’m going on Andrea Shea King’s radio show to talk about Rick Santorum. By then, I think I’ll have made up my mind on who I think needs to drop out of the race — either Gingrich or Santorum. Because I want the Not-Romney vote to unify before Super Tuesday.
Do you think this speech by Santorum is a game-changer?
Where are your thoughts?
© 2012, Kevin DuJan. All rights reserved.
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Fine. He and his family present a pretty package. Now. What about him? His voting record? His policies? His almost pathological obsession with social issues?
I saw the speech this morning. It was kick ass.
Maybe he will fire up the party.
No one that I know is one bit excited about Mittens.
I like everything about him except his war monger foreign policy (and some big govt. conservative votes when Bush was Pres). But he does not like the NDAA as it is. He is a passionate Catholic. At least you know where he stands. He is not a weasel like MIttens. Much as I would like abortion banned nationwide, Santorum won't be able to do it. He is only one branch of 3. As a Luap Nor supporter, I will not vote for MIttens or Gingrich in November. But I will vote for Santorum.
Overall I thought it was a good speech. We'll have to wait and see what effect if any it has. Since he's my prefered choice having voted for him in the FLA Primary, I'm pleased to see him gaining ground.
But there are still too many Repubs who like Rinomney so like I said, we shall see how it goes from here on. But I am starting to get excited at the possibilities.
Anyone but Obama. I like anyone but ROmney but I will take hwoever the candidate is. Santorum is genuine what you see is what you get.
Rick is a good and decent man. He is not perfect but, none of us are. I trust him but I don't trust Obama. He takes a common sense attitude at our problems and articulates the solution. We could do a lot worse and if Obama is re-elected, we will.
God willing.
I would vote for Santorum. He does not back down and I like that.
But…How would his campaign deal with those past issues
about his PA residency and the way he charged PA taxpayers for his children's education?
I am not trying to diss Santorum.
Kevin brought these issues up, and I am just wondering if they can be effectively dealt with.
All in all, I prefer a good, strong conservative instead of someone like Romney who has to tiptoe all around Romneycare.
So, how does Santorum's campaign prevent the MSM and Obama's campaign from destroying him on those issues in PA?
Thanks.
Fantastic speech. Excellent candidate. Strong, assertive, and sincere. I will vote for him in the primary. But, I will support even the most odious of them all, Romney as that is the only choice I have.
Kevin, I saw this video recently of Santorum back when he was in Congress and was blown away with his passion. This IS the kind of fighter we need. I thought that Newt was the only one who would be strong enough for that…but I think I might be wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed…
Great speech! Really loved the Margaret Thatcher reference, which should be used against the President in the general election cycle. At this point, I have the fewest issues with Sen. Santorum and could vote for him.
No one I know likes Romney either.
Wow, he looks ok. But his family behind him they look sad and depressed, even when they smile. I think Santorum is better on his own. Ditch the family.
I heard excerpts of Santorum's speech. What I heard from him had me audibly shouting, "YES!" Santorum is a fighter, passionate, and would do well in debates against Obama. He would expose Obama's record. Santorum needs to soften his image a bit–he can come across as "stuffy" and uptight. His views on women are a question mark for me. The Left and Romneybots will use this anti-woman/keep them barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen narrative to stifle women from coalescing around Santorum.
I do have a different take on his wife. She doesn't strike me as a First Lady. She seems likeable and practical, but (I know this is shallow) her hair is ……blah. The children do strike me as lovely and respectable. Of the last four standing, Santorum is beginning to win me over. Now, if two things happen 1) Newt drops out (supporting Santorum would be a bonus) and 2) Sarah Palin begins to voice support for Santorum, then WATCH. OUT.
I think you ought to let this all play out. Deciding to say someone should drop out before Super Tuesday isn't really fair to many voters who have yet to cast their primary ballot. In fact, here in Virginia we were denied several candidates to choose from, including Santorum. The only reason why I will vote that day is to "vote" for RP as my anti-Romney vote. Don't engage in what we've been so frustrated with other media pundits about – telling us who should stay or go. Let the candidate make that argument for themselves. Santorum is doing a good job. My choice is between Newt and him, but I don't think one of them leaving right now will tell us everything we need to know. In fact, a brokered convention would be useful… IMHO
I play on voting the same way in the Virginia primary for the same reason.
I agee. Let it all play out. The two of them seem to be doing just fine so far. I think it's too early to say that someone HAS to drop out before (or even after) Super Tuesday. I've been a Newt supporter for a while now and I disagreed with him that Santorum should drop out. Now that the shoe's on the other foot, I say the same thing. Let them all stay in. Things will begin to work themselves out.
Gingrich should drop out. He is just too old to compete with Obama. Santorum is just 3 years older than the Messiah and much better looking. Newt has too much baggage and the Palin are defending him out of friendship and gratitute for 2008. Our man is Saintorum!!! The Conservative Republican John F. Kennedy!
Santorum could become the next Bill Clinton except for the pimping.
This guy tells all our government officials we are mad as hell: http://obamashlamadama.com/YT-embed/are-you-kiddi…
He IS passionate – I will give him that. But, then so was MB and I couldn't stand her.
The rap I have against him includes:
1. Very little experience – couldn't get reelected as senator – in fact, lost by 17%. Why was that?
What did his state's voters see that we now don't?
2. Pretended to live in an empty house so his kids could have indistrict tuition. That is stealing.
A major character flaw.
Ok…so I'm not linking this 'cause I couldn't decide which leftist rag to forward all the hits to. But you can do a websearch. It's all over the place. Santorum is in hot water AGAIN for his remarks in regards to women. Basically, he doesn't believe women should be allowed in combat, because of the "emotions," not of the women themselves, but the men working alongside them. Well, I have news for him. If the men are too emotional to handle it, perhaps the problem isn't the women…
Without getting too much into the logistics of the argument here, this isn't go to look good for him. He's made similar remarks about women in the past. He's old-fashioned. That's fine…as long as it's between him and his wife. The fact of the matter is that the majority of Americans believe women should be able to serve in combat roles. Most of us are reasonable, rational individuals, who don't adhere to feminazi beliefs, but when you start trying to take the blame off the women and say, "No, No…it's not you, it's the men…" we see right through that BS. If a man can't do his job effectively, he needs to find another line of work. Don't blame and punish the women for your faults.
Rose, front line infantry in a war zone is not a weekend camping trip. Just sayin'
Also, it's an interesting perspective from somebody who's never actually served in the armed forces…just sayin'
From what I've heard from men who have actually served in forward combat in the armed forces, it is overwhelmingly how they feel, too! I value their perspective and knowledge of what they need to best do their job over anyone else's, since they are, you know, putting themselves in danger of death, torture, etc, for my sake.
"It's all over the place" doesn't really sway me. That's the idea they put it "all over the place", and people on his side are supposed to say, "oh, never mind," and go away.
Rose, you could not be more wrong…and Santorum is right on the money. When a boy is raised properly, the resultant man is wired to be extremely protective of women, children, puppies and kittens.
A properly trained man could be in a the worst of situations with his best buddy and will perform admirably to make sure that his own life and that of his best buddy will survive. BUT, you replace his best buddy with a woman, and that same man will come unglued at the point where that woman's safety, sanctity, virtue, honor and dignity become sufficiently threatened.
War is ugly; battle is hell. It is meant to be so, in order to make it repellant to engage in the first place. And so it should be.
Men's lives are not only put in increased risk with women in the mix; it is predictable that men do and will make mistakes that they otherwise would not make, in order to save the fairer gender from hurt, harm humiliation and indignity. To deny this makes you either unwise or intentionally detrimental to our brave men who sacrifice to be the first line of defense.
Regarding the 2006 election:
In 2004, the conservative Pat Toomey was challenging Arlen Specter in the Republican primary. He was very far behind in the polls in the primary and in a possible run against the Dem in the general. Specter told Santroum: If you back me, I will be judiciary chair. Specter said I promise I will get any Bush Supreme Court nominee out of judiciary to the floor of the Senate for a vote. (Toomey never would even have been appointed to the powerful judiciary committee.) Both Bush and Santorum endorsed Specter, the sitting senator. Specter kept his promise and fought tenaciously in judiciary and on the Senate floor for Bush SC nominees. Santorum said later: It got us Roberts and Alito on the Supreme Court.
In 2006, the namesake son of a beloved former governor, Bob Casey, Sr. ran against Santorum. Bob Casey, Jr. ran pro-life and as a conservative Dem. Many conservatives were angry over Specter and sat on their hands. It was a Dem year in PA. The Republicans lost five conservative seats in the house. The Republican candidate for gov. (sports hero Lynn Swann) lost by 20 points. Please keep that in mind.
That being said: Santorum is going to have to learn some pat answers to the social questions that will dog him and learn to say what he can not or will not force on others. And when a question is just ridiculous, he has to say that.
His family? really? Think about this, they have seen what happened to Michelle B., Sarah P., And every other family the State run media has gone after. They had no problem trying to destroy a special needs child, so I would imagine this family is terrified. The Billion Dollar Obama Machine will leave no stone unturned. We will know everything we want to know,and some things we would rather not, about The Senator and his family. May the grace of GOD shine down upon them. This will get ugly!
And a reader said to ditch the family. No Sir, that will not fly. Like Palin, the family will be Rick's strength. They have to, and will, grow thick skin, and it will not take long. This kind of abuse will make them stronger, as long as they can weather it. And weather it they must! As a family. Solidify, come together, because at the end of the day, thats what you have left.
This man can unify the country. As a Ron Paul (sorry Kevin) supporter said, he would vote for Rick but not for Mitt or Newt. That is a very telling statement. So was Mo., Mn., and Co. Very telling!
Nope.com. Nice guy, but nice guys finish last. Have strong reservations about him as Amjean and others have expressed. He benefits right now because he is an ABR candidate. Other than that he holds little appeal for me.
Tomorrow (Saturday) will no doubt remind everyone of who would be crushing the field had she decided to run and what a candidate will real vision sounds like. All of them are now mimicking the themes she first championed. But none hold a candle to her. Sigh. What could have been.
Amen!!! Sarah rocked the house! The crowd was eating out of her hand. No one takes it to Obama like she does. After watching that speech, I swear, it looked like a campaign speech to me.
I hope the GOPE realizes what a mucked up mess they have left us with.
Rick Santorm and Luap Nor are the only ones left I wouldn't have to hold my nose to vote for.
If the party mouthpieces got behind him and did the work they are supposed to do, it would be a good race and Rick would probably win.
To anyone who want's to continue to pine for Sara Palin:
Her real test will be after we have a candidate.
I really like santorum but it will be interesting to see if he can hold up to scrutiny now that he is surging. Outside of PA he is about as unknown as Cain but has a voting record, and its not as conservative as he claims. Newt is still my first choice (and his speech was great!), but I think newt should stay in to see what happens during santorums vetting process, which is why I thought santorum was staying in as well. As long as we have a viable not Romney we have a chance. Ive heard newt is out of money so he may have to settle for becoming a modern day ben Franklin but I think that would be such a waste of great talent. He is by far the most qualified.
I like Santorum's conservative bull dog attitude on social issues…But his record in the Senate was clearly big spending. Also, I've had it with nation building….I'd rather see my tax dollars go to a moon colony than more subsidizing of third world country dictators.
This is the man! Good looking, relatively young, from the middle class, beautiful family…CATHOLIC. If this guy attracts the Catholic vote and the female vote(an the Latino vote if he picks Susana Martinez as VP) Obama will be HISTORY after 2013!!
This guy was polling at 8% back in October with ZERO chances, mocked and left by dead. But still smiling and being nice to everybody. Michelle Mlkin being the ONLY high profile pundit to endorse him should be his press secretary or National Security advisor.
Please take a look at these three posts before you decide. The author is very passionate, but his comments are factual. I think Santorum needs to be vetted before we rally around him. I think Romney is not going after him because Santorum is hurting Newt who is Romney's real threat. Santorum may be socially conservative, but he is definitely not fiscally conservative….I so wish Sarah would have run. I'm still crushed by her decision.
http://www.politijim.com/2012/02/team-mitt-or-tea…
http://www.politijim.com/2012/02/worship-santorum…
http://www.politijim.com/2012/01/stats-on-what-ne…
I am SO waiting to hear Palin and how SHE frames the issues for the GOP – and the election ahead!! Please, God, let her send the CPAC crowd home cheering and optimistic – and UNIFIED!! And I think she'll pass on an endorsement until and unless she feels that it will make a REAL difference (like supporting Santorum if/when it comes down to him & Romney!). Game ON!!
Hearing Sarah Palin's speech is like seeing conservatism wasted. This young lady could have become America's first female president, restore this nation and save the Republic. Instead she decided to be just a tv pundit. When are we going to get a lady like her but with courage enough to run and become president and break that glass ceiling once and for all??
Same was said of Reagan you know the Bonzo movies,He's dumb,unelectable,blah,blah,blah.
Well I heard Santoirum say something tonight that should ring a bell or just have that light bulb go off in your head.
Why is the goverment insisting that employers,Christians,pay for birth control. Are they going to insist on Auto insurance Co. pay for OIL changes and Gas for your vehicle next?. Health insurance should be for very expensive treatments and surgery. You know if you get really sick or in an accident, there are some expenses we are responsible for that is what I taught.
I did not see or feel a fire in his belly. I turned off the TV and it could have been a concession speech with the looks on his family’s faces. I am torn. His social issues are extreme. If it means beating Romney, then I will get on board.
Santorum's chances may depend on how much Romney 'pubs are willing to cheat. The win in Maine – only 80% of the vote will count. Those counties that were forced to delay the caucus or were scheduled for later are out of luck. Wasn't there a little thing about being disenfranchised a while back, something like "taxation without representation?"
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/02/11/politics/ma…
I really like him!! Everyone talks about him and his social policies but the truth is that him and Newt are the same on social issues….they're both Catholic and that's where their policies are based. I don't know if you've ever heard him talk about Iran but he's really good on national security issues and always has been. American Conservative Union rated Newt at a 90% and Rick at 88% (I'm not sure but it's probably his vote in favor of unions and I don't hold that against him because he was representing his constituents and that's what was important to them). His wife is an amazing woman!! Her book is still selling on Amazon for over $100!!! Mother Theresa wrote the forward in that book. I think he might have the supporters with the most enthusiasm too which is something that we need going up against Obama. In Iowa, he would hold events and there was at least one of them where only one person showed up and regardless of that, he answered any questions asked of him when anyone else would have just cancelled the event.
Santorum is beating Romney in Michigan by double digits according to PPP. It is clear that the GOP base don't want Gingrich. Newt needs to drop out and let Rick win this. Gingrich has a lot of baggage, he is too old, fat and Obama would destroy him among women and the youth.
Newt needs to get out NOW!